Will the tank from a 81 650 L fit an '82?

[spadefoot]

My tank is sitting outside with stripper on it, thinking about buying a second tank to use while I get that one painted. Does anyone know if the tank from a 1981 650L will fit on a 1982 650L? I found one at a reasonable price, but it's from an 81, and I don't want to be stuck with a useless tank.

Thanks in advance!

[tom203]

My tank is sitting outside with stripper on it, thinking about buying a second tank to use while I get that one painted. Does anyone know if the tank from a 1981 650L will fit on a 1982 650L? I found one at a reasonable price, but it's from an 81, and I don't want to be stuck with a useless tank.

Thanks in advance!

I fairly sure that 81-83 "L" tanks were the same- and way too small at 3.2 gallons! The "G" and "GL" tanks were at 4.2 gallons- for all I know they might be coerced on. Anyways, I have my 81 "L" tank off (waiting for snow to vanish), so if you need a measurement, just let me know.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. spadefoot,

The '81 and '82 tanks for the 650GL have a slightly different part number:

'81 = 44100-34400-xxx
'82 = 44100-34410-xxx

Note: The 'xxx' is the paint color for that year.

The mounts looks the same. I also think that the tanks should interchange, but I have no first hand knowledge. I do have lots of other GS goodness for you. Let me share some GS lovin'.

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Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[spadefoot]

Thanks for the info, and the Re-Welcome!

Looking at the pictures on the auction, I don't think it's the same tank as mine. He says it's an 81 L tanks, but after spending a day rubbing sandpaper on mine, I just don't think he has it right. The back of the tank doesn't slope down as gently as mine. On the other hand, I've discovered more bondo under the pain than I'd hope for. Gouged some out in the process of scraping off the paint, so now Ihave something new to try.

Thanks for the warm welcome, I had an account a couple of years ago, but I think it got wiped when the forum crashed.

Anyway, wish me luck, and any bondo tips?

[Hammered]

I have an 83 GL and the mount is with 2 mounting holes in the rear at the seat. Length wise they are the same. And on the 83 GL, the tank is a 2.2 gal so I understand small tanks. With very little in the way of work, a same style tank from a 850 will fit. Its just a tad longer. Im going to make a plate that blots tot he frame mount that is just long enough to bolt the tank down. The front mounts at the round rubbers are the same. I just to find a tank that inst as much as I paid for the bike. So if anyone has the a tank that moounts like that, Im looking.

[spadefoot]

Well there are two on Ebay at the moment:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619&item=270728773417&viewitem=&category=35586#ht_2829wt_935

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/80-81-SUZUKI-GS650-650-GAS-FUEL-TANK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZalgoQ3dLVIQ26ituQ3dUCIQ26otnQ3d4Q26poQ3dLVIQ26psQ3d63Q26clkidQ3d8205154217419710559QQ_trksidZp5197Q2em7QQcategoryZ35581QQitemZ220673208772#ht_5560wt_1161

now, they clearly aren't the same tank, it seems to me. My tank looks much more like the second one, with the long slope to the rear, rather than the more boxy look of the first one. Frankly, I'd rather have the first one, I like the boxy look better, but I'm not sure it'll fit.

[Hammered]

Mines like the second as well. I think, and that in itself is dangerous, that there may have been more than 1 tank released on these bikes. Or it could be an E tank improperly IDed by the seller :/shrugs

[spadefoot]

I'm out in my shop, so I'm typing on my phone...

I'm pretty sure that other one is mis-identified. On the up side, while I waited for the bondo to dry, I finally fixed my fuel gage sender that hasn't worked for about 2 years. I tell ya', if I can ever get this tank coated and solve Why cyl 3 decided not to ignite this year, I'm gonna be rolling!

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Yes, items on Ebay are often mis-identified. Take care to be certain of the parts you are bidding on.

This is my profound glimpse into the obvious for today.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[waterman]

Well there are two on Ebay at the moment:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619&item=270728773417&viewitem=&category=35586#ht_2829wt_935

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/80-81-SUZUKI-GS650-650-GAS-FUEL-TANK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZalgoQ3dLVIQ26ituQ3dUCIQ26otnQ3d4Q26poQ3dLVIQ26psQ3d63Q26clkidQ3d8205154217419710559QQ_trksidZp5197Q2em7QQcategoryZ35581QQitemZ220673208772#ht_5560wt_1161

now, they clearly aren't the same tank, it seems to me. My tank looks much more like the second one, with the long slope to the rear, rather than the more boxy look of the first one. Frankly, I'd rather have the first one, I like the boxy look better, but I'm not sure it'll fit.

Top tank looks like a G model and bottom look more like the gL model tank.

One difference between 81 to 82/83 is the addition of fuel gauge. That could account for differences in part numbers as BC notes above. I don't know for certain, but if there is a difference it may be in mounts. I strongly suspect you could mount an 82 or later L on a 81 L frame.

[DanTheMan]

One difference in L tanks (and an L is an L even if it says GL, definitely not a G), is between production years. Mine of course, is an 850L, but it's an '80 model. My tank had a single hold down bolt in the rear, the '82 tanks went to two hold down bolts, and a little more capacity (in the 850 line). They'd hold 4.2 gal. vs 3.2.