Petrol Cap woes

[celticdog]

Well mines is getting more and more difficult to open every time I use it. Turning the key that last bit to pull back the bolt gets tighter and tighter, it feels as if I'm eventually going to break the key. Lubing helps for a bit but I think it's time to get a new one. Are the after market petrol caps any good? And more to the point are they easy to fit?

[darrsi]

You'll get a new key, but they're only held on by 3 allen head bolts, then job done. This one comes with a new seal as well.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Motorbike-Fuel-Tank-Cap-Cover-OEM-Style-for-Yamaha-FZS-600-1998-2001/291848621661?hash=item43f3888e5d:g:9IoAAOSw0UdXtHjR

[celticdog]

You'll get a new key, but they're only held on by 3 allen head bolts, then job done. This one comes with a new seal as well.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Motorbike-Fuel-Tank-Cap-Cover-OEM-Style-for-Yamaha-FZS-600-1998-2001/291848621661?hash=item43f3888e5d:g:9IoAAOSw0UdXtHjR

   Cheers darrsi, let's hope the quality is half decent!

[F4celess]

With your other hand (to the one turning the key) have you tried pushing down at the front of the Cap gently (front of the bike side), helps the mechanism to turn more easily?

[Disorderlypunk]

good old graphite powder for sticky locks
but could also be worn key

[BBROWN1664]

With your other hand (to the one turning the key) have you tried pushing down at the front of the Cap gently (front of the bike side), helps the mechanism to turn more easily?

So many people do not do this

[celticdog]

With your other hand (to the one turning the key) have you tried pushing down at the front of the Cap gently (front of the bike side), helps the mechanism to turn more easily?

So many people do not do this

In the name of my Asian friend Bindar Dundhat, it's all ok until you've exhausted this avenue, what next?

[F4celess]

OK! Well I've spoken to my Chinese friend, Sum Ting Wong, and he says if graphite don't fix it (as DP mentioned), its time for a replacement fuel Cap!

Doesn't the whole unit come out, after you've removed the Hex bolts around the outside of the 'circle' then you pop in the replacement part.
I'd even go as far as saying, I think the actual lock itself can be removed from the underside, with screws, so you could swap the lock over with your current one, and not have to use ANOTHER Key for the fuel cap (different from your ignition).
Depends if its your lock that's had it, or the complete mechanism.

[BBROWN1664]

On the basis that there is fec all to the mechanism other than the lock barrel and a spring loaded plunger that latches the lid of the tank shut, chances are, opening the cap (which pushing down on the cap to avoid breaking the key) followed by liberal amounts of WD40 and key twisting into the barrel and mechanism to clean it all up and then a load of grease to keep it moving freely, will probably solve the issues.

[celticdog]

On the basis that there is fec all to the mechanism other than the lock barrel and a spring loaded plunger that latches the lid of the tank shut, chances are, opening the cap (which pushing down on the cap to avoid breaking the key) followed by liberal amounts of WD40 and key twisting into the barrel and mechanism to clean it all up and then a load of grease to keep it moving freely, will probably solve the issues.

tis good in theory but in practice if it's worn out it's worn out! if you can't remove/replace the tumbler pins then I guess it's focced!

[F4celess]

tis good in theory but in practice if it's worn out it's worn out! if you can't remove/replace the tumbler pins then I guess it's focced!

Not to worry... you'll be whizzing around on Yamaha's new Concept Bike soon.  No fuel cap to catch you out!? 

[mtread]

I've spoken with my Mexican friend Jesus Zatsfocced, and he said yes it is.

[vinnyb]

Mine's still working perfectly at 10,000 miles so I'm hoping that regular lubrication will help to keep it that way.

[daviee]

34 k and 17 year min still works as it should i would strip it clean and lube it

[tommyardin]

I'm surprised to hear that a tank filler cap lock is worn out, its not like the ignition key that gets used maybe half a dozen times each time you got for a blat about.
The filler cap is likely to be used 5 or 6 times every 1000 miles or so.
I push down on the cap each time I unlock it to ease the load on the lock and key, lube the lock up every once in a while by dipping the key in clean engine oil and popping it into the lock a few times, do the ignition and seat lock at the same time. 

[vinnyb]

 Just a thought but maybe it's because the petrol vapours dissolve any grease or oil that is used to lube it and dry out the mechanism.

[darrsi]

I still push down on the cap when turning the key on my replacement one, it does help key movement.
A new key was no hardship, it just sits next to the ignition key on the fob.
And for such a small amount of money, you get a shiny new looking cap that doesn't look weathered and it all breathes correctly, plus all the rubber seals are new too. 

[darrsi]

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,21819.0.html