GT750 Fuel Tanks

[water cooled]

I know that the GT750 fuel tanks changed shape in 1976 dropping the raised center section and changing the angles quite a bit in the front section.

But, are the tanks from 72-75 identical in all ways or just shape? It is the other components i.e. gas cap, radiator cap cover and hinge mechanism that I am particularly curious about. (I know the paint, decals and side emblems are different but I am less interested in those).

Also, was the tank on the '77 model slimmed down or is it the same basic shape and capacity of the '76 version.

I have a fairly decent '72 tank that looks quite a bit better on my bike than the 76 version I'm presently using (its what I had at the time) and would like to switch to the earlier model. If there are differences between 72 and 74, I would rather search out a 74 model to be consistent with the rest of the bike but if they are the same, I'll start work on the '72 tank I already have.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

You have to be careful here as over the years subtle changes were made to the tanks. The 72 tank was specific to that year in its overall design, then the rad cap door and its hinge was changed on 73 to 75 models.
Since the tanks were only offered in paint, the numbers also changed so theres no number i have seen in a parts book listing showing a common number for the basic unpainted 73 to 75 style of tank.
This same thing also affected the 76 and 77 tanks which share different numbers even though they may be identical in style.
Looking at the parts listing and the common use of the other fittings for these tanks it would be reasonably safe to generalise and say:::
the 72 tank is specific
the 73 to 75 tank looks the same
the 76 to 77 tank looks the same

If anyone has more info please add it.

[H2RICK]

Hmmmm.....The big crossover book shows the following:

44110-31600-533 Fuel tank, Burgundy GT750J Active
44110-31600-534 Fuel tank, Blue GT750J Active
44110-31610-737 Fuel tank, Silver (no model listed) Deleted
44110-31610-799 Fuel tank, (no colour listed but actually primer gray) GT750J Deleted
44110-31630-761 Fuel tank, Mist Blue GT750L Active
44110-31630-762 Fuel tank, F Orange GT750L Active
44110-31640-00A Fuel tank, Gray Metal GT750M Active
44110-31640-712 Fuel tank, Gypsy Red GT750M Deleted
44110-31660-00T Fuel tank, Candy Red GT750A Active
44110-31660-797 Fuel tank, Blue Metal GT750A Active
44110-31680-019 Fuel tank, Black GT750B Active
44110-31680-03G Fuel tank, (no colour stated but actually Rose Red Metallic) GT750B Active
44110-31824-707 Fuel tank, Blue GT750K Active
44110-31825-708 Fuel tank, Red GT750K Active

All this info is current a/o May 1977 for US Suzuki ONLY.

So a little detective work shows:
1) The gold/white J tank was NOT offered by this time....or maybe EVER in the US.
2) WTH would a J style tank in SILVER have been for ??? Would this have been the base colour for ALL the J tanks ??? Even though the model is NOT listed for this tank, the numbers fall in line with the other J tanks.
3) There HAD been an early style tank in primer....but it was deleted with the issue of THIS edition of the crossover book.
4) The original production low three digit number paint and tanks painted with that paint had been used up. Replacement tanks were now offered in the higher three digit colours that were deemed to be "close enough" in colour....but were still assigned new paint codes, of course.
5) The K tanks continued through with their original paint up to this point....but those weird digits in the second group of the part number make me scratch my head.
6) The later style paints shown as "digit digit letter" were still current at this time.
6) And why couldn't you buy a Gypsy Red tank for your M model ??

A guy would really need EVERY edition of the paper 750 parts books to really sort this out.....along with every edition of the crossover book, as well. It would be interesting (well, to me, at least) to see at least the parts books for the J, K and L models. I believe SOME of the fog could be cleared up.....and maybe some informed guesses could be made as to physical differences in the tanks, as well as the whole colour thing.
Mind you, some people think I need to get out more, too.
My .02 worth....

[water cooled]

Thanks Allen and Rick. I am going to work with the 1972 tank...strip it down and clean the inside. There is just one dent I need to repair.

One question; the 72 side emblems are not held mechanically with screws. How are they removed and are new emblems available for that year?

Kevin

[tz375]

Great choice Kevin. The early tank looks so much better than the A/B tanks IMHO.

Aren't the badges push pin located like the L? I have a couple of pairs of L badges that I will never use if they are of any use to you, let me know.

[water cooled]

They must be push-pin located. I will try tonight to gently pry them off so I can start stripping the paint and decal.

I wont have time to finish the '72 tank properly before Indy, so I will just paint the '76 tank with a rattle can and get by for the next race...

If they pan out to be the same, I might take you up on your offer...

[water cooled]

Here are a few pics I snapped...I have a question and need some advice...

Eventhough I am trying to get by with the spray painted tank, I still want it to look as nice as possible. I used a Gloss White but I'm not sure if I can sand with high grit paper to smooth out the finish before I use the clear coat. If I add decals, do I need to be careful so the clear coat wont damage certain decal materials?

[Suzsmokeyallan]

72 and 73 tank emblems are held on with a type of clip that clips int othe tank panel and then on holds onto the badge pins. The badges can be carefully pried off with a flat dull putty knife or similar object slipped between the tank and the pin section to lift it carefully off.
You have to do it in stages so the badge rises up evenly on the pins, placing some masking tape on each side of the pry spots helps to protect the badge and tank.
OEM tank badges for the 72 and 73 tanks are hard to find as NOS items, so treat yours with the utmost care.

[Suzukidave]

Kevin , i dont really know the rules for your race class if you could even do it if you wanted to , but with the desire to reduce weight i would only use the stock tank as a shell ( dummy tank ) and then under that have the real gas tank that would only hold maybe 1/2 gal that would be plenty for 1 run . Maybe have it so it flips up easy for refueling and maybe even the air shifter tank would fit under there . I know this doesnt answer your painting question at all but it was a thought that was bounceing around my head

[rngdng]

The 74 tank also uses the " nuts" to hold the emblem. 72 emblems will fit a 74 tank, but after 76, the mouning points changed. I have 72 emblems on my 75 tank.



Lane

[H2RICK]

There goes "Alan" again......getting credit for all my hard work..... .....some things just never change.

[johnakay]

There goes "Alan" again......getting credit for all my hard work..... .....some things just never change.

aye abit like Miss Havisham from the great expectations