Glx tank on glt

[Guest]

I have a 81 gs850glt that came with no fuel tank. I bought a tank on ebay said it's a glt tank. Well looks like it's a glx. Front notches are to narrow to fit on frame rubber stops and is definitely to long. Is there any way to make this tank fit or should I return?

[Steve]

I am going to have to question your " '81 850GLT".

The "T" at the end was the designation for the 1980 model year, not 1981.

Let's play 20 questions.
1. What size is the rear wheel?
2. What shape are the chrome covers on the sides of the airbox?
3. Describe the shape of the side covers (called "frame covers" on the parts fiche).
4. Is there one horizontal bolt holding the rear of the tank to the frame, or two smaller, vertical bolts?
5. Can you please post a picture of the tank?
A picture would also work to answer #2 and #3.
This space reserved for numbers 6-20.

The reasoning for those questions:
1. Only the '80 850L had a 17" rear wheel, all the others are 16".
2. Only the '80 chrome covers are rectangular. Starting in '81, (and only on the "L") the bottom edge was at quite an angle.
3. Only the '80 side covers are rather triangular. Starting in '81, (and only on the "L")they are squattier, with a tab that flows up the front toward the tank.
4. Only the '80 has a single bolt. Starting in '81, the "L" had two bolts.
5. The G tank is longer than the L tank, just making sure which one you have.

My '80 850 is a G, not an L, but you can click on the link in my sig to see the shape of the airbox covers. Your side covers will be a bit different. Next, you can click on the link for my wife's '82 850L. The side covers and airbox caps are the same as the '81 through '83 850Ls.

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[Madmike]

You sir, are full of information. Thank you. Looks like it is an '80. Has 17" rear wheel, it has no side covers to reference. The tank mounts are about 17" from front stops to single bolt in rear and front stops are about 3-1/2" wide. I found another tank that has same measurements that I'm buying.

I found the vin for the first time tonight. So that's a positive note.


Thank you for your help.

[Steve]

You're only answering #1?

You sir, are full of information.

I have quite often been accused of being full of something else.

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