My 81 GS450 Cafe Build

[Mr. Sinister]

Just looked again on Google and found this one:

 

[jfman]

Where did you get that little fender?

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Where did you get that little fender?

All I know is it came off an old HD Sportster. It's almost like it was made for the GS. I ended up taking it off, it just looks better without it.

 

[gk45011]

That tank and paint look awsome. Now stop messing around and get it on the bike for pictures..LOL

Gary

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Hopefully this week or next weekend.

 

[Carpy]

Looking purdy Bill

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Thanks, can't wait to get the new tank mounted!!

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Got the new tank mounted today.

I had to move the tail light up on top of the tail, because you couldn't see it very well from behind the bike. I was worried people driving behind me wouldn't see it.

 

[Big R]

Damn......looks great Bill! Did it mount up ok?

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Thanks!!
Piece of cake, took me about 2 hours.
I had to cut the stock T tank mounts off, and the stock coil mounts. I used a U bracket to hang the coils from the backbone. The T frame has provisions for the front E tank mounts, since both models used the same basic frame. Suzuki used little plastic covers to hide them. So I took the covers off, and used the screws that held them in place to make a post for the front mounting pads. The screw heads fit perfectly into the back of the round tank pads. Once I got the width right, it slid right on. I ended up swapping the stock petcock for the Pingel. I was worried I'd forget to turn the Pingel off. I had to flip the vacuum port on the stock petcock 180 degrees and run a longer fuel line. The rear mount is a little more tricky, as there is no provision on the T frame for the E tank rear mount. Right now, it's secured with zip-ties until I can figure something out.
I also got the Dremel out and trimmed the T side covers to make them work with the tank.

 

[Big R]

Ah, gotcha. When I had it mounted to my GR, I had to fab a rear mount as well. The GR's original mounts were two bolts so I ended up cutting a wide plate of steel in a "T" shape. Drilled a hole on each side of the T, and the base of the T is what held down the rear of the tank. The base of the T plate was wrapped in electrical tape to avoid the metal on metal contact.

 

[gk45011]

I used an aluminum L piece fabbed from a three foot L bracket piece bought at the local Menards. I used a cut off wheel to shape to the right shape from a template. yours would have to T, Mine had two mounting holes on the vertical mount face. It is bolted to the tank with a rubber bushing surrounding the mounting bolts. top of the bracket has some rubber door protector along the edge to keep any viration or bouncing from compromising the origional tank. the mount is sturdy and was fairly cheap and easy to do.

P.S. tank looks great on the bike, and love the paint job.

Gary

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Thanks for the compliments!!

I think what I'll do is make a T like Rich had done, bolt it to the stock rear tank mounts, and bend the end of it down so it fits flush up against the rear mount on the tank. Then drill a hole in the bent part of the T, and bolt it and the tank together.

 

[danejurrous]

New tank looks awesome man!

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Thanks!!

 

[Carpy]

Much better with the E tank. Liking the green more and more

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Thanks!! It really pops in the sun. The clear I used also has a subtle flake to it.

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Took a few more pics. Pretty amazing how different it looks from when I started:

Then:

Now:

Just gotta do something with that back tire......

 

[jfman]

How loud is it with open pipes like that?

 

[Carpy]

What green is that anyway just out of curiosity