Best "ELR-style" square tank for a 1979 LTD1000?

I have done some searches and am still a little fuzzy on this. I see where people have swapped KZ tanks to LTD's for better capacity, but I am going for looks instead.

What is the best looking, squared off, ELR style tank that will fit a 1979 LTD1000 w/o doing any major modifications?

I am getting my old 1979 LTD1000 back this weekend and want to finish what I started 5yrs ago, making it look more like the ELR bodystyle. I know, I should have just started with a later model KZ/GPz, but this is what I have, so I am making the best of it!


Thanks in advance!

Eddie's first Kawasaki superbikes were 1979-80 MKll's not J Models so you could look for that bodywork and seat. The sidecover mounts will definitely need to be replaced but the frames are quite similar.

I used the MKII tank to do mine.

atye wrote:

I see where people have swapped KZ tanks to LTD's for better capacity...

By "better capacity", I assume you mean "less capacity", right? LTD tanks have about 1 gal less fuel capacity than the "standard" A models.

I actually went the other way with my '78 LTD. I swapped the original LTD tank for a larger one from an A2A model to give me about 40-50 miles greater range per tank.

Skyman wrote:

atye wrote:

I see where people have swapped KZ tanks to LTD's for better capacity...

By "better capacity", I assume you mean "less capacity", right? LTD tanks have about 1 gal less fuel capacity than the "standard" A models.

I actually went the other way with my '78 LTD. I swapped the original LTD tank for a larger one from an A2A model to give me about 40-50 miles greater range per tank.

What I meant to say was that people have swapped KZ tanks to LTD bikes... It sounded right in my head!


Thanks for the info, guys!
Finances forced me to sell my 2000 ZRX1100 and I've been w/o a bike for a year or so. I'm really looking forward to getting back on two wheels soon.

MKII tanks are difficult to find...if you have a medium sized bag of money, you can buy a repro MKII tank from Win-PMC, I think...they can be ordered through Z1Enterprises.

just curious. what is the fuel capasity for the MK11's?

mark1122 wrote:

just curious. what is the fuel capasity for the MK11's?

A3 = 17.8 liters
A1/2 = 16.7 liters
B series = 13.6 liters

If you want to increase capacity than use a ST tank. 18.2L(4.81G)there is a lot of those around.

otakar wrote:

If you want to increase capacity than use a ST tank. 18.2L(4.81G)there is a lot of those around.

What work is required to mount an ST tank onto a "B" model? Any frame mods required? They have a bolt tab at the back, right?

weren't the mk11 and st frames the same as the kz, as in the steering neck area? if so they would likely be a very close fit.

jeffasaki , what year frame did u put the mk11 tank on?

atye wrote:

What is the best looking, squared off, ELR style tank that will fit a 1979 LTD1000 w/o doing any major modifications?

This bike looks good "as-is" !!!