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Having doubts about model

  • Thread starter Thread starter razooki
  • Start date Start date
R

razooki

Guest
Since my initial post got erased I'll make this shorter 'cause I'm tired of typing. On a previous thread the esteemed members of the board had identified my bike as a G model. With that in mind I ordered a seat and tail piece (thanks sclavish) but they don't seem to fit. The seat wants to overlap the tail piece. But it starts at the tank - to me it looks like it's too long. So is this model a G or a GL? I was also concerned that the frame had no hinges for the seat (a al G) or brackets by the tank (a la GL)

Raz

GS850001.jpg

GS850003.jpg

GS850004.jpg

GS850006.jpg
 
Well, the straight forks and the single bolt that holds the back of the tank in place say "G".

What year was the bodywork for? I think there were some changes after the '81 model year,
so the '79-'81 would be the same, and '82 and newer would be different.

.
 
Hi,

The "G" models have a shaft drive. If you don't have a chain then you have a shaft drive. Have you checked the sticker on the steering head for the model ID?

The front wheel/forks in the picture are from a regular "G" model and not a "GL" model.

Seat fitment was a little different between the 80-81 model years and the 82-83 models. In the picture, do I see a seat hinge that has been cut off?

Where did you get that tank? What bike was the tank from? How about a picture of your whole bike. That might help.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Last edited:
The only thing I am sure of is that the frame # and engine # correspond to an '80 model (apparently Canadian models had VM carbs) which mine has. The seat and tail piece are from an '81 model. The seat seems to be fitting OK and the pan matches the one that the bike came with (as rusted as it was). The frame was painted by the PO so the only thing visible is the VIN. With the seat on the tail piece will not align with the holes for the screws. The tank I have no clue. Here are some more pics.

Thank you all,

Raz
GS850010.jpg

GS850011.jpg

GS850012.jpg

GS850007.jpg
 
Hi,

Sorry, I just noticed that we are talking about a non-US model. :o

The wheels and frame look pre-82 due to the spoke pattern and lack of chrome cover in front of the passenger pegs. But my lack of knowledge regarding non-US models requires me to shut up before my lack of knowledge shows even more.

The tank looks too long. Or maybe the mount points on the backbone are in a different place for the tank you have.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Well, for starters, Im pretty sure you have a GS1000E gas tank. The G models tanks all had offset filler caps, as well as the fact that the tanks were much larger, and taller. They also had beveled edges where the top rounds to the sides of the tank. Steve is partly correct in his G vs L mounting bits. The EARLY stuff, up untill 80, the only difference in the tank mounts were up front. They still BOTH had single rear bolts. In 80 and untill 82 i think they were slightly different, and then in 82, both the L and the G had TWO rear vertical bolts. The only diference then where the front mounts again. Your tank should be ok to continue to use, however you may have 1000 body work altoether, in which case, the seat and tail may not work, as the pans were completely different.
 
TheCafeKid said:
The only diference then where the front mounts again. Your tank should be ok to continue to use, however you may have 1000 body work altoether, in which case, the seat and tail may not work, as the pans were completely different.
Click to expand...

The tank fits well and I can make it connect to the mount on the frame. And by the looks of it I can actually trim the front of the tail piece to make it shorter and that will most likely fit as well (I might lose the storage compartment). The concern is that someone must have ground away all the frame mounting tabs and now I have to figure out a way to secure the seat. I guess I can weld some hinges on the frame to receive the ones on the seat.....
 
razooki said:
The tank fits well and I can make it connect to the mount on the frame. And by the looks of it I can actually trim the front of the tail piece to make it shorter and that will most likely fit as well (I might lose the storage compartment). The concern is that someone must have ground away all the frame mounting tabs and now I have to figure out a way to secure the seat. I guess I can weld some hinges on the frame to receive the ones on the seat.....
Click to expand...
Actually, bro, llooking at those pics again. the tank DOESNT fit correctly. It may be made to work, but its not supposed to leave that gap between the seat and tank. I think your seat is correct, but someone has swapped tanks on you. and THAT is whats causing the problem. Its too long. You should try to sell it to one of the guys on here, and buy the correct tank for your bike. It will make things MUCH MUCH easier to fit.
 
TheCafeKid said:
Actually, bro, llooking at those pics again. the tank DOESNT fit correctly. It may be made to work, but its not supposed to leave that gap between the seat and tank. I think your seat is correct, but someone has swapped tanks on you. and THAT is whats causing the problem. Its too long. You should try to sell it to one of the guys on here, and buy the correct tank for your bike. It will make things MUCH MUCH easier to fit.
Click to expand...

But I kinda like the way it looks - oversized!!
 
razooki said:
But I kinda like the way it looks - oversized!!
Click to expand...
Believe me, the PROPER tank is MUCH larger than that one. That bike used the same tank thats on my 1000G...its like 5.4 gallons or something...HUGE. Just not as long, much taller.
 
aww. 5.4 gallons? what the frack? i've never put more than 4.5 in my 1100 :(
 
TheCafeKid said:
Believe me, the PROPER tank is MUCH larger than that one. That bike used the same tank thats on my 1000G...its like 5.4 gallons or something...HUGE. Just not as long, much taller.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll send up a flare in the Classifieds. According to bikebandit I'm looking for a 79-81 GS850G or a 1980 GS1000GT tank. Any other years/model that will interchange? (with a proper fit this time).

Thanks,

Raz
 
Wrong tank for sure. Another thing I noticed is that the front brake rotor screws should have a locking tab plate under them. Looks like a parts bin special...nothing wrong with that as long as the bike is safe to ride.
 
razooki said:
Ok, I'll send up a flare in the Classifieds. According to bikebandit I'm looking for a 79-81 GS850G or a 1980 GS1000GT tank. Any other years/model that will interchange? (with a proper fit this time).

Thanks,

Raz
Click to expand...
Nope, thoser the ones. The nice thing is, there were a BUTT load of the 850s made, so SOMEONE should have a tank for ya. If the tank you have is in GOOD shape, post it up for sale, one of the 1000 guys is ALWAYS looking for a nice one. That should give you some bucks, even if you have to resort to Ebay (LOTS of em on there last I looked)
 
Raz,

The bike has US spec gauges for a G not a GL. Canada had a KPH speedo.

the lift/grab rail on the left side is for a G model, the GL didn't have a lift/grab rail.

the rear fender is plastic, a GL was chrome.

the tail piece is for a G model and it is the correct one. I'm not sure of the color, but IIRC that color was used in '81.

what I can see of the seat, it is correct for a 80-81 G model and it is missing the grab rail. the GL was a higher stepped seat.

as already said by others, the front forks are for a G model.

the hinges that are welded to the frame on the left side, for the seat, are directly above the upper stud of the rear shock and directly above the rear lower corner of the fuse box.

the plastic cover over the swing arm pivot is correct for a 80-81 model and either the chrome center trim is missing, or it is painted black.

the carbs are wrong for the 80-81 models, but without a closer pictures or measurements its hard to tell what they are or may be off of.

as was previously said, the tank is incorrect for the 80-81 G model.

the handle bars are incorrect.

would you like to discuss the bike further?
 
rustybronco said:
Raz,

The bike has US spec gauges for a G not a GL. Canada had a KPH speedo.

the lift/grab rail on the left side is for a G model, the GL didn't have a lift/grab rail.

the rear fender is plastic, a GL was chrome.

the tail piece is for a G model and it is the correct one. I'm not sure of the color, but IIRC that color was used in '81.

what I can see of the seat, it is correct for a 80-81 G model and it is missing the grab rail. the GL was a higher stepped seat.

as already said by others, the front forks are for a G model.

the hinges that are welded to the frame on the left side, are directly above the upper stud of the rear shock and directly above the rear lower corner of the fuse box.

the plastic cover over the swing arm pivot is correct for a 80-81 model and either the chrome center trim is missing, or it is painted black.

the carbs are wrong for the 80-81 models, but without a closer pictures or measurements its hard to tell what they are or may be off of.

as was previously said, the tank is incorrect for the 80-81 G model.

the handle bars are incorrect.

would you like to discuss the bike further?
Click to expand...
Yah what *I* think he actually has is maybe an 80 850 frame with a 79 motor in it (VM carbs/head) The body parts are interchangeable from the 79 and 80-81, so no problems there, just be aware you have mechanical VM carbs instead of the 80 and on BS constant velocity vaccum type (actually, IMO, you're lucky...lol)
 
Doesn't look like a US gl model to me, gl's have a different muffler mount point
 
The engine # is 119135 and the frame # is 117797 so from what I could find they are both numbers corresponding to 1980 models. Someone mentioned in my initial thread about this frankenbike that it was possible that early '80 models had some '79 parts on them which could explain why I have VM carbs (from what I've read I prefer those over the CVs). The bike had not been registered for road use since 1993 so it's very possible that the PO bought a GS1000 tank for it not knowing it would not fit properly. It's frustrating because every time I think I'm closer to getting it on the road something else comes up that delays me!!
 
TheCafeKid said:
Yah what *I* think he actually has is maybe an 80 850 frame with a 79 motor in it (VM carbs/head)
Click to expand...
IIRC with his past posts, he had no kick starter.
79 head? VM's on a 80-up head? who knows at this point.

Raz, please verify presence or not of the kick starter.
 
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