inline4 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 As the subject line(s) states, the key is becoming more and more difficult to get out of the switch. The locking fuel cap is becoming difficult to open as well. What do you guys suggest I use to remedy this? .....and yes, I will listen to all your smart-ass replies as well. Thanks. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwimack Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 As the subject line(s) states, the key is becoming more and more difficult to get out of the switch. The locking fuel cap is becoming difficult to open as well. What do you guys suggest I use to remedy this? .....and yes, I will listen to all your smart-ass replies as well. Thanks. Jim I hit mine with wd 40 when they start getting difficult. 2cents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 +1 Gas dries out the gas cap lock and rain/environmental stuff doesn't help either. You should eventually have similar issues with your car door locks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 WD 40 on the tabs in the gas cap too. My key would turn, but the tank would not open. Pushing down, and wiggling the key finally opened the cap. I give it a spray every few months now. No problems since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC Randy Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Powdered Graphite works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbrxxquad Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Powdered Graphite works well. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everydayrider99 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Same problem... bike sat while. Environment took its toll. Get a new key cut... use some lube(you probably have plenty of that lying around). jk, no petroleum based lubes, like they said, WD40 or graphite powder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Same problem... bike sat while. Environment took its toll. Get a new key cut... use some lube(you probably have plenty of that lying around). jk, no petroleum based lubes, like they said, WD40 or graphite powder In what world is WD-40 not petroleum-based? I have used it before, but prefer silicon spray because it attracts far less dirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 In what world is WD-40 not petroleum-based? 51% Stoddard solvent (i.e., mineral spirits: primarily hexane, somewhat similar to kerosene) 25% liquefied petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant; carbon dioxide is now used instead to reduce WD-40's considerable flammability) 15+% mineral oil (light lubricating oil) 10-% inert ingredients Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedEye Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 In what world is WD-40 not petroleum-based? I have used it before, but prefer silicon spray because it attracts far less dirt. +1, WD-40 is not a lubricant, it's a penetrating oil (and a really shitty one at that, with great marketing and cult status). Once the solvent evaporates it's more of a dirt attractant than anything. Silicone or teflon ftw. And if you want a better penetrating oil, get a small spray bottle and use a 50/50 mixture of acetone and ATF. I'm sure I've posted this before: "Machinist's Workshop magazine actually tested penetrants for break out torque on rusted nuts. Significant results! They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrants with the control being the torque required to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" environment. Type of penetrating oil ..... Average load None ................................ 516 pounds WD-40 ............................ 238 pounds PB Blaster .......................214 pounds Liquid Wrench .............. 127 pounds Kano Kroil .................... 106 pounds ATF-Acetone mix......... 53 pounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekanix Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 FWIW, WD-40 is a water displacement, not an oil or a solvent or anything else. That it has some properties like them, doesn't make it a lubricant. Use graphite or a light oil of some type. Anything that floats your boat. WD-40 is the trademark name of a water-displacing spray. It was developed in 1953 by Norm Larsen, founder of the Rocket Chemical Company, San Diego, California. It was originally designed to repel water and prevent corrosion,[1] and later was found to have numerous household uses. Hell, I use break free from my gun kit on almost everything that I don't want a lot of residue or dirt attraction on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banshee Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I have had much trouble opening the fuel cap with the key. Finally found that the key now goes in just a bit too far & so sticks. This results in the key being slightly twisted, making it hard to get into the ignition. The other thing I have found is that if I get it a little out of line as it goes into the ignition, due to wear on the tip, the slots get jammed. So important to ensure I have it lined up correctly when inserting. I tried lock lubricants, but nothing helped like realising I have to have it in just the right position to get it to turn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everydayrider99 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Apologies, my intentions were to not use sticky greasy petroleum lubes that will collect dirt and innevitably make the problem worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 FWIW, WD-40 is a water displacement, not an oil or a solvent or anything else. When I was a kid, the next door neighbor had a 70 Super Bee that wouldn't start in the rain. He sprayed the dist. cap and wires with WD-40 and it started right up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 In what world is WD-40 not petroleum-based? 51% Stoddard solvent (i.e., mineral spirits: primarily hexane, somewhat similar to kerosene) 25% liquefied petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant; carbon dioxide is now used instead to reduce WD-40's considerable flammability) 15+% mineral oil (light lubricating oil) 10-% inert ingredients From Ask.com: Mineral spirits is a Stoddard solvent made from petroleum that's used to thin paints or to clean up after painting. It's used to clean machine parts, or to remove grease and oil from equipment. Mineral oil, also called liquid petroleum, paraffin oil or white mineral oil is an inexpensive byproduct produced in the purification of petroleum and during the production of gasoline and other petrochemical products from crude oil. Read more: What is Mineral Oil Made of? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5542000_mineral-...l#ixzz20FBtoXVV Wait a minute. Were you dis-agreeing or just posting info as back up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 AND now it's an oil thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearXX Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 AND now it's another oil thread, AGAIN. Fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I'm sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwimack Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 WD 40.....I put that shit on everything. It works for the sticky keys, gets the oil over-spray from the Pro-oiler off, removes adhesive residue, I pre treat clothing before I wash it to get off oil, grease or grass stains, gets water spots off windows. It's fucking magic I tell you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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