redxxrdr Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Key broke off in the gas cap. GEisme3 Bill is going to get me to a spare key. So what is the best way to get to the key? I figure remove tank and pump to access the bottom locking wedges. Then pull cap and take it to a lock Smith. Any better ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Have you tried two small picks to try to work it upward? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 Not yet. Still at station. Waiting for daughter to bring me a spare key, so that I can ride it home. On a better note, I just got a text from my son. On a plane, leaving his deployment in afganistan. I'll go to Harbor Freight today and get some picks. Thanks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Why I carry a spare key. Mostly I'd be worried about losing the main key, but this is also a good reason to have one in your gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 I've extracted a few keys with a pick. Two picks, one on each end of the key, often works better. As for removing the assembly, I don't think you'll need to remove the tank. If the piece of key is in the right position you should be able to turn it with a screwdriver or other tool to open it. It might be worth trying this before trying to extract the key in case you can't get it out. Trying to extract might move it out of position forcing tank removal. The piece of key might be able to move further in, not sure if it bottoms out on the key tip or the 'flat' near the key handle, so be careful with the screwdriver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John01XX Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 8 minutes ago, superhawk996 said: I've extracted a few keys with a pick. Two picks, one on each end of the key, often works better. As for removing the assembly, I don't think you'll need to remove the tank. If the piece of key is in the right position you should be able to turn it with a screwdriver or other tool to open it. It might be worth trying this before trying to extract the key in case you can't get it out. Trying to extract might move it out of position forcing tank removal. The piece of key might be able to move further in, not sure if it bottoms out on the key tip or the 'flat' near the key handle, so be careful with the screwdriver. I have seen this done as well, instead of using a screwdriver what about the broken off key base as the screwdriver? If all else fails just take the whole bike to the locksmith or have a mobile locksmith stop by and extract the key remains. Don't waste time with the tank removal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 Mike You are correct. Any trip of distance , I carry two keys. I haven't ridden in months, and got out of practice. Kirsten took off from work and brought me one of my OEM keys. Once home, a set of Kline close cutters grabbed and removed the broken part easily. Thanks for the ideas This is the second time that the bike has let me down in 18 years. First was a 3 in slit in my rear tire. Now this. POS Honda. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 2 minutes ago, redxxrdr said: This is the second time that the bike has let me down in 18 years. First was a 3 in slit in my rear tire. Now this. POS Honda. That implies that your tool strap is intact. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 Yes it is. But my instrument cluster is fading. I took it down , big lcd chip. Soldered in. Looking for a new cluster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBLXX Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Once - I took a bead of quick drying super glue on the end of a Popsicle stick and just pulled it out. Pick didn't work for me that time...it was balls deep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 If I leave town, I carry a spare key, in every vehicle. In town, nah. Sounds like the lock might have been getting hard to turn? I use TUF Glide in locks (and a bunch of other things), doesn't attract dirt, makes them buttery smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBLXX Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 I just leave a key in all the time. I have not taken the key out of any of my cars/bikes in I can't think of how many years. You want it...take it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 ...to put gas in the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 17 minutes ago, DBLXX said: I just leave a key in all the time. I have not taken the key out of any of my cars/bikes in I can't think of how many years. You want it...take it. Key in the ignition, doors unlocked, regardless where it's parked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 For a while, not sure now, it was SOP in NYC to leave your doors unlocked. Otherwise they'd break a window just to see if you had something to steal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 7 minutes ago, SwampNut said: For a while, not sure now, it was SOP in NYC to leave your doors unlocked. Otherwise they'd break a window just to see if you had something to steal. I did the same thing with my 1961 VW convertible during my south Florida days. Plus steering and shifter lock Top and interior parts are too hard to find on almost 60 year old cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Someone cut the top on my old Triumph to steal some shit, when the doors were unlocked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 I had a 78 Subaru wagon and the glove box knob turned to the left to open. Someone broke open the unlocked glove box because they were were too stupid to turn the knob left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbird Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 3 hours ago, SwampNut said: For a while, not sure now, it was SOP in NYC to leave your doors unlocked. Otherwise they'd break a window just to see if you had something to steal. 3 hours ago, SwampNut said: Someone cut the top on my old Triumph to steal some shit, when the doors were unlocked. I had a buddy that lived in Chicago that got tired of having a $150 window broken to steal a $20 stereo, so he started leaving it unlocked. They still broke the fucking window, and this was back when you could see the lock popped up just by looking through the window you're about to break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 The second one for the win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomek Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 Ive experianced that problem before. Fuck that shit. Very first thing I do on new to me motorcycle is to replace oem fuel lock with keyless chineasum assembly from ebay. Vortex race style. 20 some bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironmike Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 Maybe I'm mistaken, but I always thought locking fuel caps were more about preventing sabotage (i.e., sugar in the tank) than theft of fuel . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 When gas prices went up, gas theft was common and locking cap sales skyrocketed. I have no idea why they are on bikes, since there's so little to steal. And sugar is not soluble in gasoline, I think that hole thing is a myth. This seems like a stupid question, but I assume everyone knows you need to push down on the cap before turning the key? Otherwise you're using the key to scrub the locking lugs against the ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redxxrdr Posted July 12, 2019 Author Share Posted July 12, 2019 49 minutes ago, SwampNut said: This seems like a stupid question, but I assume everyone knows you need to push down on the cap before turning the key? Otherwise you're using the key to scrub the locking lugs against the ring. This I know. And was doing at the time. I had also performed, and posted about performing planned maintenance on the fuel and ignition, just a few months ago. It was amazing how much crap came out of that tumbler The key that broke was a locksmith made extra. But the one that I used most often. The OEM turns the ignition easier than the one that broke. Wear or poor duplicate? Who knows? I'm just lucky that it broke close to home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.