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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1182452984 Message started by Rockin_John on 06/21/07 at 12:09:44 |
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Title: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Rockin_John on 06/21/07 at 12:09:44 I did a bit of searching, and it seems we never came up with a definitive answer on how easily the larger capacity GZ250 tank would fit a Savage. Guess I'm going to guinea pig this one. I just bought one for too much money, but I'm tired of the 100 mile gas stops; reaching for reserve when moving, and I'm not crazy about taking my eyes off the road to look at my speedometer either. So... When it arrives, I'll know in about 15 minutes if it's going to be real easy, or just how much work it looks to be. I did search up a good thread by Jack_650 on moving the speedometer, and availability of a substitute tach cable that will make for a new, longer speedo cable. I'd have liked to do the 5-gallon Harley tank as in that thread, but that would have been even more money and trouble I figured. Maybe this way will be an easy bolt-on extra gallon, and gauges up where I like them. I'll report back later on this one... |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by ausmerican on 06/21/07 at 19:00:19 Hey somebodies got to try it and you are the man John ! If it works this will be probably one of the best mods we will have for the Savage. By the way how big is the GZ250 tank ? |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Rockin_John on 06/22/07 at 08:35:36 ausmerican wrote:
Oh... About this <---------> much bigger than a Savage tank ;-) But seriously, it looks to be only slightly larger than the Savage tank, but I think most of the extra capacity is in the different shape and lack of speedo hole. To my eye, the Savage has a more sloped in "Sportster" style, and the GZ250 is shaped more round and bulbous like the old school "Mustang" tanks. Besides that there is the aforementioned Speedo hole taking up fuel space. IIRC, the difference is 2.4 gal. vs 3.7 gal. An honest gallon+ change. Increasing range from 80-100 to 100-150 would mean a lot to me. My average joy ride is 40-50 miles, and I get tired of having to stop for gas every other time I leave the house. Like I said, the nice looking 5 gal. conversion is real tempting, but I couldn't find one with a tunnel that would fit the Suzuki without extreme modification. I'm hoping this is going to go easy; without using the ball peen hammer or welder much or any. ;) Added Pictures: GZ250 http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/fuel_tanks/gz250tankside.JPG Savage http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/fuel_tanks/savagetank3.JPG |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by verslagen1 on 06/22/07 at 09:33:02 gz250=3.7gal/3.4 calif. model ls650/s40=2.8gal I'd do it for a gallon. |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Rockin_John on 06/22/07 at 11:19:41 verslagen1 wrote:
Thanks for the exact info, I was being lazy... ;-) Quote:
Obviously I would too... Lets all hope it goes real easy! I've already noticed that the bolt pattern on the rear bracket of the GZ250 seems to be spread a little bit further apart. Also, someone in an old thread I searched mentioned the possibility of the seat not matching up well. But I'm pretty determined to have that extra gallon. So unless it turns out to be a major PITA, I'll find the easiest possible way to do it, and make it look acceptable. I was looking at a 5 Gallon $175 (with shiping) custom Mustang style chopper tank on eBay, but of course it had the typical tunnel which doesn't have the "Y" in the frame under the tank like our bikes (and the GZ250): http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/fuel_tanks/gz250tankbottom.JPG At least LOOKS like it shouldn't be a tough fit huh? ... We'll see about that soon enough! I may fit this up to the old 87 first, since I just got the 99 all legal, comfortable, and serviced up good. The 87 is sitting aside without bars on it and needing a few small hardware items anyways. |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Starlifter on 06/22/07 at 19:44:29 Great, I asked about this very mod on an earlier thread. Now we will all find out. Keep us informed on progress RJ. :D |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Homey237 on 06/22/07 at 19:53:08 Well, I'm confused...... Suzuki puts a 3.7 gallon tank on a 250cc bike but only a 2.8 gallon tank on a 650cc bike....... And they call me stupid ! |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by ausmerican on 06/22/07 at 20:25:09 I don't get it either !!! makes no sense ?????? ;D |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by justin_o_guy on 06/22/07 at 21:40:06 Homey237 wrote:
That was Funny Homey.. |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Scottwerty on 06/23/07 at 06:32:23 I've wondered if the tank would fit for awhile. Lead the way Rockin John. |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Windrider on 06/23/07 at 08:31:32 I've been wondering if there was some other tank option but I'm still wrestling with the seat issues. I can't wait to see if the 250 tank works! |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Jack_650 on 06/23/07 at 21:43:21 If you're up to doing a little body/dent repair work to get a bigger tank try what I did. I went to the Harley dealer and asked about dented tanks that had been removed for insurance repair work. That's how I ended up with the five gallon softail tank. A little JB Weld, a bit of patient sanding and some paint and you're good for 200+ miles per tank full. I got my tank with one dent in the left side for $50.00. I powder coated mine, but wouldn't do it again on that kind of repair job. The different thicknesses in the metal and the JB product made it impossible to get things to be perfectly even. Different heating and cooling rates gave the guys at the shop I used nightmares and headaches. Next time it's the old rattle can approach that was documented here a week or so ago. Jack |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Rockin_John on 06/23/07 at 22:29:14 Hey Jack, Glad you kicked in here... Eventually I'll probably need the part number to that tach cable you substituted for a longer speedo cable. I would have gone with a bigger tank, but every one I looked at had a narrow frame tunnel at the back, and would have to been highly modified to sit down on the Savage frame; and I don't currently own the welding gear to do good fabrication. Otherwise the tank gets left standing up high like on the bikepics pictures of yours. One thing that may help me fit things eventually, is that I don't care if I keep the pillion seat. Or the stock rear fender for that matter. I hope to fit a solo seat somewhat like your front seat in those pics. But one thing at a time for now... First this tank, and see if the range suits me. If not, I'll already have my instruments moved, and can take another look at bigger tanks. |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Windrider on 06/24/07 at 04:44:03 Does the softail tank have the "Y" shape in the bottom that matches the bottom of the two 'Zuki tanks? |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Jack_650 on 06/24/07 at 09:10:32 The softail tank has a channel down the middle underneath just as the stock 650 tank does. The bolt hole at the rear lines up with the rear bolt on the Savage as well. The problem (if you call it that) is that the channel doesn't widen at the back. Since the tank is deeper the rear of the tank sits about 3" or so higher than the stock tank. I had already raised the front fo the seat an inch and a half so I was already half way there. To get all the wiring, cable and different items moved around under the tank it's good to have the extra room at the back of the tank to work with. I didn't want to give up the rear seat (yet) which made the back of the V-Star seat I use in front sit higher still. Now my front seat is about 3"-4" higher all around than the stock seat. I don't like the feel of sitting up that much higher than the original feel of the bike had quite as well. This summer I'm looking into making the rear seat an inch or so shorter on the front of it so's I can get the back of the front seat to drop down closer to the frame. Then, of course, the front of the seat will have to end up being lowered another inch or so. Then I'll be looking at having my privates risk sliding into the rear of the Hawg tank 'cause there's no way to get it to go lower. There's always something. As to the speedo cable parts number. I haven't a clue. I went to the cycle salvage yard and Bob, the guy who knows where/what everything in the place is, suggested that the cable we came up with would work. It's the tach cable off of an older (80's) Suzuki 3 cyl. bike of some sort. It's a direct hook-up cable. Both ends screw right in and it's plenty long enough to let you put the stock speedo wherever you want to on the bars. If you get to where you want to move the original speedo up there I can put up a step by step of what I did. It turned out pretty nicely if I do say so myself. Or rather, will if I'm ever satisfied that I'm done tinkering with it. Jack |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Rockin_John on 06/29/07 at 00:04:13 Got the GZ250 tank in today. Like I said, once I got 15 minutes this evening to mess with it, that's all it took to assess the situation. Put simply: It's not looking good. The first and most obvious problem I had already anticipated: http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/fuel_tanks/P6280001.JPG The rear mounting tabs are a bit farther apart on the back of the GZ250 tank. That's only a minor hassle if you have the right tools to move them. I have the cutoff wheel, and skill to use it. What I don't have is a welder to put them back on with. I'm tired of mooching little favors from my welder neighbor, even though I do offer to pay him, and have taken them dinner over to make it up... but I still get tired of asking. So... since I keep coming up with welding jobs I really need to break down and get their son to teach me how to use the plasma torch and TIG weld. I'm pretty darn good with a stick, MIG and even old gas welding, and cut like a pro with a gas torch, but this new plasma and TIG stuff is beautiful. Real art when done well. I may have to trade some work for some training and the use of their equipment to learn enough on to be able to make an informed purchase. Anyways... back to the tank... It is certainly not going to be and easy bolt-on fit. Besides having to move the rear mounting tabs, the location of the front brackets that hold the tank's rubber isolation pads is way off. I mean WAY off. Besides sticking out about 3/4" or so too far on each side due to the more narrow tunnel on the GZ250 tank; they need moved up and forward several inches. It is hard to tell exactly, but here is a look from standing over the tank looking down: http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/fuel_tanks/P6280005.JPG Understand what you are looking at: You are standing over the bike's seat, and setting the tank on, like you are installing it. You are looking up-side-down into the tunnel and seeing that the bolts which the rubber tank mounts slip onto are way too long to allow the tank to be installed. Just for those whose minds don't do "up-side-down" here is a picture straight down the main frame rail. You can orient yourself by seeing my chrome o-ring foot pegs down there in the background. http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/fuel_tanks/P6280009.jpg You are looking down the frame. Notice how far off the mounts for the rubber tank snubbers are. Not even a close fit as is, but I'm convinced it can be made to fit well. Eventually, we'll see! I think the rounder "Mustang" style tand might look good on the Savage. Even once those hurdles are jumped, then the bottom of the tank will need to fit: http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/fuel_tanks/gz250tankbottom.JPG And once positioned over the things it will have to clear: http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/fuel_tanks/P6280007.JPG I'm hopeful, once all the mounting is repositioned well, that the bottom will fit good. Most of the stuff mounted on the mainframe backbone can be moved around a bit to allow the tunnel to fit without a lot of hammer work. Other hopeful good news... The rear mounting bracket seems to have a natural rise to it; which I would try to keep, and also, the petc0ck hole looks like it might be in good position for the stock vacuum petc0ck, which I prefer to keep. All in all, what with having to relocate the speedo and other instrument stuff, it looks like the project might be of questionable advantage for the approx. 1 gallon gain involved. I'm not even sure which bike the tank may end up on eventually, but for now I'm riding the 99 chopper most of the time, so the old 87 will be used as the 'fit-up' bike. Oh... since I've got the tank, I'm sure I'll follow through on setting it up for a Savage before too long... maybe this winter? If there is one thing that I'm really happy with about buying this tank (again, for too much money) it is that it has really pointed out my need to buy a decent budget welder/plasma torch, and learn how to use it. With that in hand there are lots of other jobs I'd like to tackle. |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by mornhm on 06/29/07 at 05:16:39 Have you given any thought to an adapter plate to go from the rear mounting tabs to the frame bracket? Might be easier (better?) than trying to move the tabs (which look like they would have to be replaced with a different design in that case. The adapter would require four bolts rather than two, but would give you the option of two tanks that would fit without modification (to the back anyhow :P ) |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by The_Hammer on 06/29/07 at 10:19:35 Hey John, Is this your tank on ebay, or just a pic for comparison? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-LS650-SAVAGE-GAS-TANK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35586QQihZ020QQitemZ300047001220QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Jack_650 on 06/29/07 at 10:50:47 The Harley tank I used has only one hole at the rear for the mounting bolt. What I did was run a single bolt up through the middle of the mounting plate that's on the frame with a nut to hold it in place. Then I used a second nut with a washer above it to set the height for the back of the tank to rest on. Then there's another nut with a washer under it to hold the tank down in place. Then the front tab on the V-Star seat fits under the back of the tank. I did make a notch in the seat tab so the seat could slide a bit farther forward. I agree with the above idea. Just make a small plate to bolt to the mounting holes at the rear of your tank. Then, either use one bolt down the middle like I did, or drill the plate to take two bolts. I've found the single center bolt works just fine and is the easiest for adjusting the front of seat level/angle. Jack |
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Title: Re: We'll see if the GZ250 tank fits... Post by Peter_the_blacksmith on 08/22/07 at 11:30:01 Speedo wires universal extensions are not hard to find, and there are several aftermarket speedos (with trip-meters!!) with indication lights built in, that can be put on the handlebar. Thus one can use a tankbag on longer trips :D I put the tank from a Kawasaki VN 750 on my bike. Fits with minor modifications, but I wanted even more volume, so I cut the bottom of the tank out, and welded in a new one, now I have 15 liter capacity, almost 300 kilometers 8) I have also helped a friend to put on a Kawasaki Drifter 800 tank, we did the same operation, it takes 18 liters ;D ;D...and the Savage fuel tap fits on both models ;) I'll put in some pictures when I get the time. Oh, the stupid flimsy bits of chrome on top of the cylinder has to go, most likely, when you fit a bigger tank, but that is only good - you get straight access to the sparkplug ;D |
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