gs850 tank swap to gs1100

[toyo]

hey guys im new to the forum im currently building a caf? racer out of my gs850 . now Iv noticed the gs1100 tanks have that small leg indention if you will that gives it a caf? racer type of look.. Iv searched the site I found that you can put a gs850 tank on a gs1100 but the question I have is can you or has any body replaced the gs850 tank with a gs1100 tank?? and if you have please post pics and mods that had to be done..so far iv seen the bracket to hold the tank is different but that's not a big deal I can make it work.
thanks in advance

 

[Guest]

Do you have an L or a G?
If I'm not mistaken they are different.

 

[toyo]

mine is a g. shaft driven right? I apologize for my ignorance still learning lol

 

[Guest]

All 850's are shaft drive. Don't the 1100 and the 850 tank look the same? I actually thought they were the same tank.

 

[toyo]

this is how my current tank looks like

 

[toyo]

or maybe mine is a L not sure like I said I apologize still learning this stuff . but that's my bike hope yall can help

 

[rustybronco]

Your bike is an 'L' model. I don't recall any 850 or 1100GL's having tank indents. The 82~up GS850~1100G's did have indents.

Have a look here... http://www.thegsresources.com/_scripts/gallerydisp.php and see if you can find what you seek.

 

[toyo]

this is the style of tank I wanna get so im guessing this is from a gs1100 g?

 

[Steve]

Yes, you have an L, apparently an '81.

Although the mounting tabs on the rear (at the edge of the seat) might work, the mounts at the front would have to be moved forward.

And, because the front of the tank will be moved forward to accommodate the extra two gallons of gas that you will be adding, you will also need to change your triple clamps and forks. Others would also have to change the fender, but I see you don't have one.

.

 

[rustybronco]

this is the style of tank I wanna get so im guessing this is from a gs1100 g?

Either an 850 or a 1100G as they're the same tank.

 

[850 Combat]

Either an 850 or a 1100G as they're the same tank.

Only from 1982 on. A 1979 through 1981 850G is the dame as a 1000G. The ones with the single horizontal bolt in the rear, rather than the two vertical mounting bolts.

 

[toyo]

right so correct me if im wrong but essentially to me that's the only real problem I would have in the swap that is the vertical mounts as for mine has the horizontal mount. i can do some modifications though to the horizontal mounts to make it fit I would think everything else would pretty much fit into place no?

 

[rustybronco]

Your bike is an 'L' model. I don't recall any 850 or 1100GL's having tank indents. The 82~up GS850~1100G's did have indents.

Only from 1982 on. A 1979 through 1981 850G is the dame as a 1000G. The ones with the single horizontal bolt in the rear, rather than the two vertical mounting bolts.

Was previously stated.

 

[Steve]

... that's the only real problem I would have in the swap that is the vertical mounts as for mine has the horizontal mount.

NO, that is NOT the only real problem you will have. Evidently you are not reading all the posts that have been offered.

If you have a single horizontal bolt holding the back of your tank, you have an '80. Besides fabbing something for the rear, you will have to re-locate the front mounts AND change the entire front end, as I stated earlier, in post #9.

With the leading-axle forks on your bike, the triple clamps are straighter across, which brings the forks back an inch or so. With them being that much farther back, they will hit the larger tank, because it mounts considerably forward of your current tank.

Actually, there might be another solution. :-k You could add some material to the stops to limit how far the forks will turn. That would preclude use of the fork lock, but many of us don't use it anyway.

.

 

[GSX1000E]

Apparently my previous reply never got through. So I will try again.
IIRC, you have a lot more problems than just the rear mount. If you relocate the front cushion mounts and cushions to the holes that are already in your frame (weld the studs into those holes) to match the location of the front horse shoe mounts on the E or G model tank, and you weld a new mount to the rear, you will still have to shorten the front of your seat and the tunnel under the tank is narrower than your tank and will not fit the frame without major widening in the tunnel.
You will be much better off to just dent your current tank for knee dents.

 

[Steve]

You will be much better off to just dent your current tank for knee dents.

And remove some of your precious-little fuel capacity.

I believe the capacity of that tank is only about 3.5 gallons to start with, there won't be much left. :-\\\

.

 

[toyo]

dang I see what you guys mean now....im just not a big fan of the look of my current tank...i thought it would be easier finding a tank at a reasonable price that would fit.....are there any other tanks that are bigger that can be swapped without much modification to the bike?

 

[salty_monk]

Nope.... You'd be better off swapping for a non L model bike. You could use your engine in a G model frame...

 

[Steve]

....are there any other tanks that are bigger that can be swapped without much modification to the bike?

No, you are lucky enough to have a one-year wonder. The '80 850L was the only one to have the single bolt at the rear of the tank. The '81 850L had a tank that was the same size and shape, but had two vertical bolts at the rear. The '82 (and newer) 850Ls had a 4.5 gallon tank that also had two bolts at the rear. The '80 and '81 1000GL were the same as the same years 850. The '82 and newer 1100GLs were the same as the same years 850.

If you want a bigger tank, it will be easier to get a different bike.

.

 

[Guest]

You will be much better off to just dent your current tank for knee dents.

That's what I would do.