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Gas cap lock

3K views 27 replies 14 participants last post by  grifscoots 
#1 ·
The gas cap lock really chaps my ass. Many of us did the fix on the LT where we didn't have to use the key.

Anybody have any ideas on how to get around this one and still get it to snap shut?
 
#4 ·
grifscoots said:
I am multi tasking challenged.

Actually, the extra step(s) just downright bug me at a gas stop.
That's hard core man, right on. Bet you don't even take off your helmet and gloves and have your gas card chained to your wrist for easy access. So while I'm unlocking my gas cap you're already gone! (cuz you don't know me I mean no dis, just making a funny here)
 
#5 ·
iflybricks said:
That's hard core man, right on. Bet you don't even take off your helmet and gloves and have your gas card chained to your wrist for easy access. So while I'm unlocking my gas cap you're already gone! (cuz you don't know me I mean no dis, just making a funny here)
Puhlease. This is a fun group, no dis taken!

When I'm running hard and beating feet, if I don't have to piss, I just gas and leave. Even if I have to run in, I leave my helmet and one glove on.

On the third tank I'll stop a few extra minutes, eat a couple of power bars and stretch a bit. That's usually about a 10-15 minute stop.

This is usually trying to get out of Texas, thru the southern end of New Mexico, Arizona, or just trying to get somewhere.

The longer you stay in the saddle, the less time you stay at a stop the better your average speed. I've actually run about 1500 miles with an average speed of 65 mph doing just that.
 
#12 ·
Screw the gas cap

grifscoots said:
The gas cap lock really chaps my ass. Many of us did the fix on the LT where we didn't have to use the key.
You could try the Billet Aluminum BMW Gas Cap from Pirates' Lair.

I don't mind the key so much. When I do a ride-through stop I usually take it out, open the cap, and then pop it back in the ignition while I fill up. That way the GPS stays on.

I hadn't thought of chaining my credit card to my wrist, that's a real time saver right there! :)
 
#14 ·
beavtm said:
He should update the text for this item, 9 bucks of gas, more like 25 these days.
Tell me about it! $4.78 yesterday. Also that bit about "any late model 4-wheel vehicle" not having a lock... well, technically I suppose that's true but only because the lock/latch is on the gas cover flap and not the cap itself. The only vehicle I have that doesn't lock is my '88 Suburban with the 33 gallon tank... but better lost gas than a drilled out gas tank!
 
#15 ·
"if I don't have to piss, I just gas and leave. Even if I have to run in, I leave my helmet and one glove on. "
Tough washing the hands with one glove on :D

Maybe a self installed catheter would decrease stop time.

Options are:
1. an extra key for the cap,
2. a $136 screw top from Pirate's
3. a home made cork stopper

As for me, I just use the key.
 
#16 ·
Leave the tank open

MdTbone said:
3. a home made cork stopper
If you're in that much of a hurry just tear the cap off and leave it open. Yeah, you may loose a little gas to evaporation, but you're burning through tankfuls so fast that shouldn't be an issue. Stuff a rag in the hole if you really care, just watch out for the cagers with cigarettes, you don't want to make a $20K Molotov cocktail! :teeth
 
#17 ·
grifscoots said:
The gas cap lock really chaps my ass. Many of us did the fix on the LT where we didn't have to use the key.

Anybody have any ideas on how to get around this one and still get it to snap shut?
Sounds like you need a pit crew Grif! Dry brake filler system, 4 gallons in, rev limiter on until you leave the driveway then BAM, your back in the zone :D
 
#18 ·
I don't mind the keyed gas cap on the K1200GT. It is simple enough to use, and appears to be more solidly built than the one on my old Honda Magna.

That said, I'll share a story with you about my Magna; the one that the GT replaced:

The Magna gas tank has an inset flange with two rectangular slots. Two bolts push out from the bottom of the gas cap assembly into the slots. When the bolts are in the slots, they lock the cap to the tank. The bolts are pushed out in both directions by a tight spring that is positioned between them.

The key cylinder has two small pins that go into the tops of the bolts. The cylinder and pins are made of cheap pot metal. When you rotate the key, the two pins pull the bolts back against the central spring and allow you to open the cap.

The screws to detach the gas cap assembly are underneath the cap so that if it is locked, you can't get at them. Good security, but bad for maintenance.

What happens when the two tiny pins on the key cylinder break off? Remember - they are made of cheap pot metal! Well, the central spring pushes the bolts out into the rectangular slots and the key and cylinder helplessly (and hopelessly) rotate 360 degrees, leaving the gas cap locked, with no easy way to fix or replace it. Even if you manage to drill out the cylinder (that's easy), you can't reach the bolts. Why? Because when the pins break, the spring pushes the bolts way past their normal stopping positions to the point where they are inaccessible. Tearing off the top of the cap to get at the screws doesn't help either, because even if you remove the screws, the bolts are still holding the assembly tightly locked in place.

What a clever design. :yeow:

I will leave the rest of the repair details to your imagination, like the thrill of drilling into metal objects on a container that holds gasoline.
 
#19 ·
Grif,

Why not tear off the spring-loaded flap that covers the keyhole and just leave a key in the slot? Obviously, when you're stopped for the day and no longer rushing to fill your tank, you simply take the key with you.
 
#20 ·
SKIZIKS said:
Grif,

Why not tear off the spring-loaded flap that covers the keyhole and just leave a key in the slot? Obviously, when you're stopped for the day and no longer rushing to fill your tank, you simply take the key with you.
Tank bag covers it.

The ideal fix would be to open the spring-loaded flap and push a button to pop the cap. Maybe meld the new car gas caps- the one's that don't have one. You just stick the nozzle in and fill.
 
#21 ·
Replace the key cylinder?

grifscoots said:
The ideal fix would be to open the spring-loaded flap and push a button to pop the cap. Maybe meld the new car gas caps- the one's that don't have one. You just stick the nozzle in and fill.
It looks like it's pretty easy to get the key cylinder out of the cap (presumably for rekeying), looks like all the parts come out with the 6 screws around the top - don't even have to take the tank cover off. I bet you could cobble up a little doodad that would replace the cylinder and operate with a simple twist, or just remove all the pins from the cylinder and shove a popsicle stick into it - then you could put it back later when you sell the bike. Or with a little searching you might even find a button in a decent hardware store that would go in there.
 
#22 ·
#23 ·
grifscoots said:
Maybe meld the new car gas caps- the one's that don't have one. You just stick the nozzle in and fill.
That sounds tempting. Or a simple button would work, too.
 
#24 ·
DavidTaylor said:
At 06:38 PM 6/20/2008, you wrote:

Arrrg.. Order received. Thanks! FYI.. I'll get this order out Monday</B> via FedEx ground. Well, it looks like I beat your suggestion by a couple of hours. :p:

This really does look like the best way to go without reinventing the wheel.

Dave, if you haven't done Ken's gas neck drill out yet, git you some!!! I've been filling up the bike every other day (114 mile round trip commute) and now it's I've thrown an extra leg into the commute before filling up. Good stuff, Vern, and free.
 
#26 ·
DavidTaylor said:
Here's a solution -
Hey! Now that looks nice enough to steal!

I'll leave a packet of sugar from the nearby restaurant in your tank for the privilege.
You can always use a rubber tub stopper from the hardware store if it's missing. :teeth

Just don't mar it up by dropping it on the gas station concrete before I can get to it. :spank1:

Mack
 
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