GS1000 Gas tank replacement options

[Guest]

Hi everyone, I have decided to replace my gas tank on my 1979 GS1000 and i am wondering what my options are. When you search "GS1000 gas tanks" on Google only universal tanks show up which have dimensions that would be way off, I've found lots of gas tanks for GS550's but they are usually pretty banged up and I'm not sure if the dimensions are the same, can anyone provide me some advice or insite?

[Big T]

GS 550 tanks are top small, they won't fit over the frame

What are you looking to do? Smaller? Different style?

[CanadianGS1000]

GS 550 tanks are top small, they won't fit over the frame

What are you looking to do? Smaller? Different style?

Honestly anything, same style or different, whatever I can get my hands on and have it fit.

[Nessism]

1980-82 GS750E or 1980-81 1100E tanks are a straight bolt on.

Edit: Caveat: the above it true if you have a 1000E model. As Steve mentioned (after I posted), the 1000L is different.

[gsrick]

1980-82 GS750E or 1980-81 1100E tanks are a straight bolt on.

He's right, but I have sold the three I had. The other obvious options are the 78-80 1000E tanks. No other GS tanks will work without modification.

It's not really up for sale, because no one wants to pay what I'm asking for it and I don't advertise it, but I have a better than NOS '79 1000E tank for $500 plus shipping if you're interested. Ultra smooth black with the blue / gold striping with enough clearcoat that you can't feel the striping. It looks just like the one below.

[Steve]

I think it would be good to ask one question before making suggestions about tanks.

Would there be any chance that your '79 1000 might be an "L"?
If it is, ignore all the suggestions above, as they won't fit.

If you don't know whether you have an L, post a picture (from the side) or simply tell us whether the front axle is under the ends of the fork tubes or in front of them.

.

[Kiwi Canuck]

Hi everyone, I have decided to replace my gas tank on my 1979 GS1000 and i am wondering what my options are. When you search "GS1000 gas tanks" on Google only universal tanks show up which have dimensions that would be way off, I've found lots of gas tanks for GS550's but they are usually pretty banged up and I'm not sure if the dimensions are the same, can anyone provide me some advice or insite?

BTW welcome to GSR, as Steve mentioned let us know what model you have and also why have you decided the tank needs replacing.

It maybe possible to repair yours if it has rust inside or small pinhole leaks by installing a liner by Caswells or POR15. I've used both and had good success.

Caswells for larger pinholes and rust, POR15 if you only have rust and very minor pinholes.

https://www.caswellcanada.ca/gas-tank-repair/

Lordco sells POR15, and you have a choice of 2 kits, one that includes a stripper product to remove an existing failed liner and one without.

https://www.por15.com/POR-15-Motorcycle-Fuel-Tank-Repair-Kit

https://www.por15.com/POR-15-Motorcycle-Fuel-Tank-Strip-and-Repair-Kit

Good luck and let us know if you need anything else.


David

[CanadianGS1000]

This is my 79 GS1000 and I don't believe its an L, if L means shaft drive then it defiantly is not that. I just purchased this bike and I only know that it is a 1979 and its a GS1000 but as far as submodels go I am not sure

[CanadianGS1000]

20190419_180405.jpg

This is a closer photo of my tank and here is a link of a tank I found on ebay for a 1980 GS1100E, the tank looks slightly different, could you guys check it out and report back to me if you think it would fit? EDIT: Also the reason I am replacing my old tank is the one of the previous owners fibreglassed the underside of the tank and when I look inside the tank it looks like a swamp of gross fibreglass and corrosion.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/273802940409?ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-53200-19255-0%252F1%253Ficep_ff3%253D2%2526pub%253D5574735181%2526toolid%253D10001%2526campid%253D5336086427%2526icep_item%253D273802940409%2526ipn%253Dpsmain%2526icep_vectorid%253D229466%2526kwid%253D902099%2526mtid%253D824%2526kw%253Dlg%2526srcrot%253D711-53200-19255-0%2526rvr_id%253D1941134506798%2526rvr_ts%253D3b62338d16a0acc7ab663d37ffdb476e&ul_noapp=true

[Nessism]

...here is a link of a tank I found on ebay for a 1980 GS1100E, the tank looks slightly different, could you guys check it out and report back to me if you think it would fit?

As mentioned previously by both myself and gsrick, the '80 1100E tank will fit.

[CanadianGS1000]

Just purchased that tank from ebay. On a side note does anybody have any good techniques on cleaning the inside of a tank? Coca-Cola? Some other product? Im going to give this tank I get in the mail a clean on the inside before I sand blast and paint it.

[Steve]

This is my 79 GS1000 and I don't believe its an L, if L means shaft drive then it defiantly is not that.

"L" does not mean shaft drive, that is handled by "G". The "L" says it was a chopper-styled wanna-be that would have left the factory with leading-axle forks, a smaller chrome headlight, smaller, teardrop-shaped tank, a stepped seat and shorter, megaphone-shaped mufflers.

As your picture shows, there is a leading-axle fork, but it's black (which did not show up until about '83 on a couple of models), and the disks are slotted (which did not happen until '80). This tells me that things have been changed, and could have very easily introduced some other problems regarding steering geometry.

Can't see much of the headlight, but it is rather obvious that there have been quite a few other modifications, all in the quest of a "look". Probably the best indication of sub-model would be to look at the VIN tag on the steering neck. In its lower-right corner (after you tilt your head to be able to read it), after the serial number, you should see "GS1000", then possibly another letter or two. In the same font as the GS1000, you might see an E or an L, then in a separate area should be a stamped letter "N". The N says it's a 1979 model bike. The E would be for the deluxe model that came with cast wheels instead of spokes, self-cancelling turn signals and a couple other features, the L would be as described above.

.

[Joegs1100gk]

Just purchased that tank from ebay. On a side note does anybody have any good techniques on cleaning the inside of a tank? Coca-Cola? Some other product? Im going to give this tank I get in the mail a clean on the inside before I sand blast and paint it.

I just looked at that ebay ad. The tank doesn't need anything as it looks really clean in there through the filler hole. No rust. But just to make sure just a swish out with clean fuel. Remove filter and clean if needed. Done. There's a filter connected to the fuel tap.
As for sand blasting?! Why? Bead blast is still a bit harsh and unnecessary. Unless you can do it yourself.
Just needs a sand, can use circular air sander or hand sand, fill small imperfections, primer, then top coat.
Use 2k clear. Cheap paint, single pak enamel or auto acrylic with stuff up the first time any fuel gets on it. Even the vapor can stuff new paint.
As for what model you have? As said by others, not L or G. Probably N.
It's been modified. What else do you need to really know unless you plan to restore to original.
Other GS 750 - 1000 parts can fit, but why bother? Just ride it and enjoy it.
Fit whatever you like the look of, so many cheaper universal parts like - turn signals, head and brake light, electronic speedo, mirrors, foot pegs, etc etc.
Just remember it's all metric. As in threads of bolts, nuts, sizes of stuff. And there is lots of stuff! Haha!

[Steve]

As for what model you have? As said by others, not L or G. Probably N.

The L or G are sub-models, the N would be the year.

As mentioned previousely, the L has several distinguishing features, including chrome fenders; smaller headlight in a chrome bucket; higher, pull-back handlebars; stepped seat; shorter, megaphone-style mufflers; tail light mounted to a chrome rear fender. Most of those items have been cut away or replaced, so it's impossible to tell by looking at a photo.

A G would be a shaft-driven bike. The 1000 did not have a shaft until the 1980 model year.

ALL 1979 GS models carried the N letter at the end of the VIN tag.

Knowing that the bike in question is a 1979 GS1000, it could be a GS1000N or a GS1000EN, but only the VIN tag knows for sure.

.

[steve murdoch]

How bad was your old tank?
Do a search of Chuck Hahn. He has a couple threads where he repairs some badly rusted tanks. You might even see a campfire.