82 GS850GL gas tank swap..need more volume...which ones fit, who has done this

[Guest]

OK, after a very disappointing ride this weekend having to gas up every 115 miles due to the 3.4-3.8 gallon gas tank on my 850 and blowing a fork seal out, for the love of everything.... what other model gas tank fits on this beast. One with more volume, closer to 5 gallons if I can.

as far as the fork seal, already had sonic springs, seals, hagon rear shocks etc on order to get that done this weekend. I just need a larger tank...very disappointed in the volume.

If you have one for sale... pm me.

[Burque73]

Here's one a ways away from here but check out the pics for ideas. Looks to be from a GS 1100 G

https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/mpo/6110896766.html

[Blue Falcon]

Here's one a ways away from here but check out the pics for ideas. Looks to be from a GS 1100 G

https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/mpo/6110896766.html

wonder if that is the 5 gallon tank...

[Burque73]

5.8 Gal I believe

[JJ]

It is a tank from an '82-84 GS850G, GS1100G, or GS1100GK, but it is NOT a bolt-on swap.

[Steve]

The tank on your bike has a 4.5 gallon capacity, so you are not going to increase it all that much by going to a 5 gallon tank.

The one shown is, indeed, from a G or GK, with a 5.8 gallon capacity, but you will have to change just about everything on the front of your bike to be able to use it.

- The mounts on the frame will need to move forward about two inches. I think there are some mounting points there, they just need to be filled in with the posts.
- The triple trees will need to be changed to the G style triples.
- The fork tubes will need to be changed to the G style tubes.
- The front fender will need to be changed to the G style fender.
- Not sure whether the speedo drive will need to be changed or not, it has a different mounting angle.
- If you get an entire front end with a G headlight, you will need to change the mounting ears, too.

Putting in 3.6 gallons in 115 miles shows an average of 31.9 mpg. THAT is what I would want to change. I just filled my bike this evening after a ride on Saturday. The last part of the ride was 135 miles, I put in 3.7 gallons, which is 36.25 mpg. Quite a bit lower than I usually get, but we were coming into a stiff headwind.

My 850 usually gets around 38-42 mpg, my wife's 850 gets about 42-48 mpg, but has hit a high of over 55 for several tanks in a row.

32 mpg shows that you either have the jetting WAY off or you are simply racing around with a HEAVY hand on the throttle.

.

[Blue Falcon]

The tank on your bike has a 4.5 gallon capacity, so you are not going to increase it all that much by going to a 5 gallon tank.

The one shown is, indeed, from a G or GK, with a 5.8 gallon capacity, but you will have to change just about everything on the front of your bike to be able to use it.

- The mounts on the frame will need to move forward about two inches. I think there are some mounting points there, they just need to be filled in with the posts.
- The triple trees will need to be changed to the G style triples.
- The fork tubes will need to be changed to the G style tubes.
- The front fender will need to be changed to the G style fender.
- Not sure whether the speedo drive will need to be changed or not, it has a different mounting angle.
- If you get an entire front end with a G headlight, you will need to change the mounting ears, too.

Putting in 3.6 gallons in 115 miles shows an average of 31.9 mpg. THAT is what I would want to change. I just filled my bike this evening after a ride on Saturday. The last part of the ride was 135 miles, I put in 3.7 gallons, which is 36.25 mpg. Quite a bit lower than I usually get, but we were coming into a stiff headwind.

My 850 usually gets around 38-42 mpg, my wife's 850 gets about 42-48 mpg, but has hit a high of over 55 for several tanks in a row.

32 mpg shows that you either have the jetting WAY off or you are simply racing around with a HEAVY hand on the throttle.

.

Steve, I wish it was a 4.5 gallon capacity... I am under 4 gallons. Once I got home on Sunday, drained the tank from full 1 gallon at time into a gallon container and then put it in a 5 gallon. got 3 full gallons and just shy of 3/4 gallon on the last one. I would have been happy with 4.5 lol.

The MPG is misleading, I was putting in 2.8-3.0 gallons at 115-125 miles, around 40mpg. The last two tanks I filled I let it run til I had to flip to reserve. At reserve level I would fill a full 3.0-3.1 gallons. Frankenstein strikes again on the bike lol...

[Steve]

Steve, I wish it was a 4.5 gallon capacity... I am under 4 gallons.

In that case, you don't have an '82 tank.

I think the '81 tanks were 3.5 or 3.8, the '82 and '83 tanks were 4.5.

You have any pictures of the tank on the bike? Especially from the side.

.

[Blue Falcon]

In that case, you don't have an '82 tank.

I think the '81 tanks were 3.5 or 3.8, the '82 and '83 tanks were 4.5.

You have any pictures of the tank on the bike? Especially from the side.

.

GS850 pinterest

[gustovh]

Yes he has the small tank.

V

[Blue Falcon]

Yes he has the small tank.

V

well...sh.....i mean... poo

[Burque73]

Here's a solution to the L's short fuel supply. Just have to find bags to accommodate it. One extra gallon in each bag.

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/505-600?utm_term=%5B74946831730%3Aproduct_type_l1%3D%3Dvehicles%2520%26%2520parts%26%2520product_type_l2%3D%3Dland%2520vehicles%26%2520product_type_l3%3D%3Dmot&siteid=NB_G_PLA&product_id=505-600&adpos=1o1&creative=42616808770&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAjw6e_IBRDvorfv2Ku79jMSJAAuiv9YYmYwMKAMz24TpnrgP--OOr4aJkO01M2XJwLpILnP1BoCE8bw_wcB

https://www.google.com/search?q=saddle+bag+gas+cans&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS726US726&oq=saddle+bag+gas+cans&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l4.8112j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Blue Falcon]

Here's a solution to the L's short fuel supply. Just have to find bags to accommodate it. One extra gallon in each bag.

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/505-600?utm_term=%5B74946831730%3Aproduct_type_l1%3D%3Dvehicles%2520%26%2520parts%26%2520product_type_l2%3D%3Dland%2520vehicles%26%2520product_type_l3%3D%3Dmot&siteid=NB_G_PLA&product_id=505-600&adpos=1o1&creative=42616808770&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAjw6e_IBRDvorfv2Ku79jMSJAAuiv9YYmYwMKAMz24TpnrgP--OOr4aJkO01M2XJwLpILnP1BoCE8bw_wcB

https://www.google.com/search?q=sadd...hrome&ie=UTF-8

I don't know whether to laugh or be serious..... but thanks lol. now to just wire up a fuel pump and switch to auto feed the gas into the tank... I am just gonna suffer with the small tank until I do more research on this conundrum. The goal is to get to 180 miles without refueling.

[Steve]

The goal is to get to 180 miles without refueling.

When we are out on a longer ride, my wife's bike goes on reserve at about 140-150 miles, and that is with it doing 40+ mpg. With your 32 mpg average, you are going to need a 7 gallon tank.

.

[Blue Falcon]

When we are out on a longer ride, my wife's bike goes on reserve at about 140-150 miles, and that is with it doing 40+ mpg. With your 32 mpg average, you are going to need a 7 gallon tank.

.

I'm getting 41mpg lol....but thanks for the vote of confidence (3 tanks consistently @41mpg) that 3.x gallon tank is killing me tho. Even at 40 mpg... reserve will kick in at about 120 miles.