1978 GS1000 Rebuild

[chuck hahn]

Racer....MAPP gas is just a hotter mix of propane and acetelyn i believe..Anyways it screws right onto any propane torch. Its a yellow canister right in with the propane tanks at home depot.

[ReTread]

I do want to learn to weld, just not on my gas tank This is a problem I would like to get fixed before spring time, so I'll be looking at a professional. Thanks alot for the suggestions and stuff guys. I'll see what this company quotes me then consider my options.

No shame in that Travis. I can't really think of anything worse to learn on than a fuel tank.

Glad to see another Skunk coming back.

[SDBuckeye]

That is a lovely bit of swiss cheese for a tank! I am working on mine right now too. I think I have most of the old liner out and will soon move on to de-rusting. Thankfully, mine wasn't quite as bad as yours. I could have gone a couple years with just JB weld patching it up, but I figured I could just as well put a POR15 liner and be done.

I am not putting any expensive paint on it in case my repair skill are lacking. Something to think about on your end too.

Keep us posted.

cheers,
Lyle

[traviseckley]

I just want to ride this year, the bike has sat long enough. I may end up trying a temp fix to get me by this year if I have to. I have had this bike going on 8 years now working on it when I can with a very limited budget. It upsets me that the tank had no leaks when i got the bike and now that I'm down to putting the tank back on and firing it up I find all these holes have formed. I've been watching ebay and other places lately and nothing promising, there has been 2 tanks lately. 1 the person had no clue on it's shape and the other the person has a problem with the payment account (it's actually up now) and i don't want to take any chances on loosing my money.

[rustybronco]

I've been watching ebay and other places lately and nothing promising, there has been 2 tanks lately.

Similar to this one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

(actually it had 10 dents in it)

[chuck hahn]

Seems i saw that exact tank just recently but i cant remember where!!! And i didnt even realise the dude got it for 81.00. Man what a steal!

[traviseckley]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1978-Suzuki-GS1000-Gas-Tank-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem230e8143a3QQitemZ150567207843QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

this is the one i was referring too, not as bad as that one but I don't like the whole account mix up deal

[rustybronco]

I was going to post up a link to that very same tank, but those two 'patched' up areas on the bottom bothered me just a wee bit.

You did notice there's evidence the tank had been relined some time in the past and had been repainted at one time didn't you?

[mike_of_bbg]

Well your tank is bad. I have half a kit of Caswell's you could try on your old tank. It might actually work because:

1. It's epoxy and cures hard
2. You don't need to de-rust (some of that is probably structural rust at this point*)
3. It's thick so a decent putty-and-tape job will keep it from oozing out.

It doesn't slosh around because it's so thick, and you can really concentrate it on the bottom of the tank. If it worked out for a season I'd probably buy another kit and do the whole tank again. Maybe twice.

PM me if you're interested.

* Recalling the Simpson's episode: "that's a load-bearing poster!"

[traviseckley]

I didn't notice that, i stopped looking after i read all the account crap. Thanks for the offer mike, i'll let you know once I decide what I'm going to do.

[mike_of_bbg]

Here's the stuff:

http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm

[salty_monk]

If you decide to junk this tank... can you junk it my way. I have an idea for a long range tank & this would likely make a perfect basis

I believe I've seen an early 1100 tank (80-81) bolted onto a GS1000 somewhere so maybe that's another "get it running" option....

Might also be worth shooting Renobruce a PM, he parted a couple of GS1000's & might have a tank in better shape (hard to be much worse..!)

Dan

[albertaphotog]

I have the tanks off both a 1978 GS1000 and a 1979 GS1000L neither of which I am going to use. I'm building a bobber and using a sportster tank. I will take a look at the condition when I go out to the shop. I know there are no dings or rot but I will take a look inside for rust etc. I would be willing to sell them cheap.

[traviseckley]

That would be great, I'd definately be interested. let me know

[albertaphotog]

That would be great, I'd definately be interested. let me know

I just had a look at the 78 tank. It looks pretty good, the sheet medal looks good. You can see some rust inside that would have to be taken care of. I could post some pictures tomorrow if you wish. You could have it, just have to take care of the shipping. The petcock looks pretty crusty. The bike did run, but is now a parts bike for the 79 bobber project.