Tank badges

[gsryder]

I am converting my 81 GS750 into a cafe.
I want to polish and clear coat the tank for the metal finish look.
The only problem is once you remove the badges you are left with the large
indents on either side from where the tank badges fastened.

I was considering filling them with silver solder or something but.........that might look a little crappy.

Does anyone have any good tips or pics of what others have done?

What other tanks would swap over and not loose fuel capacity?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[monte]

badges

I used the car (or SUV) self adhesive SUZUKI badges.....they look stock and eliminate the screw attachments. Fine on all 750 and 1100 model tanks.

[gsryder]

Sorry I don't think I was clear on my intentions.
I don't want any badges at all just a nice smooth metal finish tank without the indents from the old badges.

[Old Colt]

Good luck, once you strip the tank you will find a weld down the centerline that will not polish to the same color as the rest of the steel. Filing the indents would best be done by cutting out and replacing the metal then metal finishing the whole tank. Even then the grain structure will be different and provide a contrasting sheen.
If you just fill the sides you will have quite a local color change and may consider an accent stripe to hide the area. It is beautiful to see full polished tanks but starting from a factory steel tank will require a few comprimizes.

[mcloud]

I think this might be a good compromise, even though it fits more the street fighter look than café.

[gsryder]

Thanks thats the info I was looking for. This inst a show bike so a few little discrepancies wont be a huge deal, and I dont think it can look much worse than the rusted rattle can job that is on it now. I am just looking for a different look. mcloud I like the look of that badge, something of that nature will be up for consideration.

Thanks again.

[mcloud]

Just throwing out ideas here.
A guest here, JohnyMac, did something cool with his embblems...

www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=122224&referrerid=11178