Suzuki GR650 - back to work...

Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

That's real nice indeed Rich! That extra capacity will go down a treat! How's the thumb clearance with the 'bars?


One thing that's always annoyed me with mine is the range, but I love the shape of the tank too much to change it out... I've learned to cope ;)
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

Thanks fellas! Running out of gas on the way to Troy's place sucked. Funny thing is, I don't really need the range since I usually ride 5 minutes to work.......

Funny you mention that Pete:

photobucket-7664-1353010050326.jpg


I have had my bars turned out for a while now, so I didn't even need to adjust them for this tank.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

Looking good Rich. I thought my tank replacement seemed to be a much larger version from stock. Wow you almost got a tour tank with style going on there. The lines look good too, can't wait to see it finished.

GK
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

Looks like you lucked out on that one Rich :)


Mind you, wouldn't have been too hard to tap some thumb dents in if they were necessary...


Definitely looking forward to the new look!
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

Sorry Pete, I thought I clicked "reply".......

That picture above is with the petcock resting on the frame (and it's pulling the rear to the left). With a different petcock, the rear of the tank will drop and slide over to the right a little ways. So even though it barely clears now, it will have plenty of room later.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

Looks great Rich! I had gotten an 850 Shaftie's tank with my GS but it would not fit over the 750's triple back-bone and it was too nice of a tank to cut up. Sold it for a pretty penny to fund the build. (Damn)
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

Big Rich said:
Sorry Pete, I thought I clicked "reply".......

That picture above is with the petcock resting on the frame (and it's pulling the rear to the left). With a different petcock, the rear of the tank will drop and slide over to the right a little ways. So even though it barely clears now, it will have plenty of room later.
Click to expand...


Good stuff Rich, don't wanna get your thumbs jammed in a U turn! Or worse a tank slapper would *really* hurt... but then you don't want a tank slapper full stop right?
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

Hey Rich,
Your thread has been a real inspiration. I just picked up a GR650 a week ago and plan to do some minor mods to it. I just have one quick question I suspect you might have some insight on: Do you know if a 82-83 GS1100G(k) tank will fit on the GR650 frame? Any info would really be appreciated.
Thanks,
NWS
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

Hmmmmm.....I dunno man. Do you have any pics or measurements of the tank?

And welcome to the site! Be sure to start a build thread for your GR!
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

I'm going to have a look at it tomorrow sometime. I'll take some measurements/pics while I'm there. I just wondered if you had any thoughts on what I might have to modify considering the couple tanks swaps you've made to date, especially the new 850 tank you're installing. You mention changing the petcock to a Pingel. How is the stock petcock interfering?
I found a (cached) post on the gr650.messageboard.nl forum which I've attached. I also included the photo for review.
I'll start a build thread as soon as I get into it.
 

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Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

I have that exact same picture saved on my computer. And I asked if anybody on the GSResources could positively identify it.......but didn't get a "solid" answer. There are 2 things that I can tell you for sure though in regards to the Gs850 tanks:

The red one I have fitted above is from a 1980 Gs850 G (the touring model). The front frame mounts on the GR are too wide, and needed trimmed down to fit the 850 tank (and also to fit the GS450 S tank as well). The rear tank mount is the "pre-1983" type. Basically a single bolt in the center with a rubber bushing around it. So the GR frame will need modified to fit the tank (I haven't done it yet - winter project). The stock 850 petcock (heck, any GS petcock) is vacuum operated and pretty wide left to right compared to a Pingel unit. So while the stock petcock catches the frame, a Pingel should just barely clear no problem.

Ok, now the other 850 tank I have......it looks almost identical to the one in the picture you posted above. I say "almost" because it doesn't fit the GR frame at all. Especially not as well as the owner of that bike says. I'm pretty sure the other tank I have is an 83 model (same knee dents as above too). The GR's front tank mounts are too narrow and not in the right location for the 850 mounts. Same as the rear mounts - not even close to the same location.

Did I miss anything?
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

Looks like we all spotted that bike with the bigger tank.

I've always thought the stock GR looked like it was designed by two designers. One for each end---and they had total communication breakdown. I had thought the side panels were too big and looked awkward. Have come to realize that the tank shape is as much at fault.

Take a look at the VX800. Not everybody's cup o' tea, but I like it. Same general idea as the GR, but executed by a team of designers without long-simmering hatred for each other. The big tank GR looks far more unified and "right" somehow. Just leaves the gap issue to be resolved.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- something big is brewing......

Hey Rook! Good to have ya back buddy. Luckily, some of the best designers are here on this site.......

Back to the monster tank. Instead of the normal "Suzuki" emblems, I want to put a couple decals in there place and clearcoat over top of them. I'm not sure which ones to go with though. Here's the first idea (that I will probably run with):

photobucket-25015-1354345743007.jpg


And here's another idea. I didn't trim all the white surrounds yet, but the only white parts would be the NGK lettering and the plug itself:

photobucket-14440-1354345742179.jpg


Any opinions? I can run the "Texaco / Team Heron" on both sides if it comes down to it.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- Opinions needed please

Hey Big Rich,

Thanks for the "re-welcome." It has been a while since I logged into DTT. Been fighting a brake issue since March when I decided to "improve" the system by rebuilding/refurbishing.

A GSR member finally took pity on my efforts and figured out the issue (took him about an hour) and I have brakes again--just in time for cold weather to set in. Got it home a discovered the MC front seal was leaking (collapsed front seal) and it took a day to figure out how to get it to seat properly.

Haven't had time to work on the paint yet and I still have a cylinder head base gasket seal to replace.

Now, back to your bike ;D

I'd go with the first set. I always wonder how long it will be before I get tired of cartoon decals on things. The skull head would "wear" on me pretty quickly. YMMV. I'd have to be really sure I'd like the decals before I clear-coated over them.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- Opinions needed please

Ok, so I haven't been here for a while and I have another question. :D

Have you ever tried the old tank you have on your cafe bike on the stock GR? I think the angular shape of that tank might tie in better with the stock side panels. Any pics if you did?

Does it bolt to the frame the same way as the original GR tank?
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- Opinions needed please

Love that colour Rich... personally I'd be inclined to just put the Suzuki S on it rather than the decals... those ones just don't look right to me... but that's just my 2 cents. Oh wait, no more 2 cent pieces in circulation, have to round up/down to closest 5 cents... that means my opinion is worth nothing... haahaha
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- Opinions needed please

I too am not really feeling it, BUT, I think playing around with placement might get ya something. Kind of like:
richtank-2.jpg
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- Opinions needed please

Not digging the stickers, to be honest. They make that awesome paint look cheap. Maybe on the front of the tank?
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- Opinions needed please

I like the Heron team Suzuki. the other two can go in my opinion. Using just one would let the tank mod stand on its own an "pop" like it should. With the multi labeled versions it loohs too busy.

JMHO

GK
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- Opinions needed please

To help put the decals into perspective, I rolled the bike out and took a pic in the sun:

photobucket-27908-1354408869838.jpg


I do appreciate the feedback gents, really. But hear me out: I didn't shave the badge mounts at all so I need a certain width and placement for the decals. And the "Team Suzuki" decal will be slightly smaller height-wise before any final placement. So it won't look quite as obtrusive as it did in the first pic.

Oh ya Rook- I'll pm you some time tonight (at work right now.....)
 
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