GS850 & others.... Tank differences

[Hrrhrr]

Hello GS experts,

I've done some looking in brochures, etc but haven't really found the answer, though I probably missed it

Excluding L models, some have 'standard' tanks, some have a tank with an indent or scallop. Was it a year thing or an option? What are the capacity differences?

[rphillips]

You're probably asking about the "78" GS1000. All "78" GS1000's had an indent, appx. 1" wide down both sides of the tank and matching detent along the tail section, that the paint stripe was laying down in. No other bikes, that I know about, had this indent.

[Hrrhrr]

I have a hard time describing it but the indent like this 850Screenshot_20230708-132829.png

[rphillips]

No...Just google 1978 Suzuki GS1000 pictures. Will be black / white stripe, maroon / orange or dark blue / light blue, the stripe is in the indent on tank and tail. You can't miss it.

[Nessism]

The first gen 850 ran from '79 - '81. The main differences in these bikes was that the first year had points and VM type carbs. The 2nd gen started in 1982, and ran for a few years in different parts of the world. This is the model with the indented tank. I'm not sure about capacity differences. You can likely dig that info out using the service manuals as posted on this page...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/ I don't think the tanks interchange between 1st gen and 2nd.

[rphillips]

That wasn't the type indent I was thinking about, sorry. Thinking other post "80" GS's had this type indent. Hope Ed got it figured out for you.

[Grimly]

I don't think the tanks interchange between 1st gen and 2nd.

They don't, unless you get welding.
I wonder if the OP is looking for knee-dent tanks, like the 1100GK and some 750s had.
They're getting rarer anyway, unrotten.

[rphillips]

Thanks Grim, never heard a description like that, knee-dent works great, I'll be remembering that.

[650Skull]

Not thinking about the GXS750??


$_57.jpg

[Hrrhrr]

That was it, 82+ knee dent tank. Bummer they don't swap

[Grimly]

That was it, 82+ knee dent tank. Bummer they don't swap

It's not impossible. Indeed, one or two have done it, but it involves new brackets at the rear, welded to the frame. Not sure about the rubber cushion position up front though, and as to what donor tank, I'm entirely forgetful.

[unfocused]

The first gen 850 ran from '79 - '81. The main differences in these bikes was that the first year had points and VM type carbs. The 2nd gen started in 1982, and ran for a few years in different parts of the world. This is the model with the indented tank. I'm not sure about capacity differences. You can likely dig that info out using the service manuals as posted on this page...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/ I don't think the tanks interchange between 1st gen and 2nd.

You are correct... the rear mount from pre '79 to post '79 is different. My 77's ( I have x3) has a single mount. Most post 79's I've seen have dual rear mounts. However, a 77 550 tank is shorter than a 77 750 tank. A simple bracket fixes this. My 77 has large front area that might have issues with the forks on a bad day. Wish I could find a 1K tank with the inset front for this. The GSXR forks caused me to dent the tank I'm using - Old GS550 tank - don't panic people.

The tank you might be thinking of 650Skull shows this style with the knee dents. This is the style of tank I need for my 77 710 with GSXR suspension. Good Looking scoot!