About the gas tank cap....

Alpen10 · May 20th, 2014, 08:55 AM

Hi all, I recently received my brand new master key cut to my bikes key code, but I almost broke it when I tried it on the gas tank lock, in a boneheaded rookie move.

I saved it, but I was wondering if lubricating the latch on the lock might make it more responsive to the key turn, and if so can it be done without removing the cap? What if lubricant (wd40) drips in the gas tank? Am I asking for trouble? Thanks.

CC Cowboy · May 20th, 2014, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpen10

Hi all, I recently received my brand new master key cut to my bikes key code, but I almost broke it when I tried it on the gas tank lock, in a boneheaded rookie move.

I saved it, but I was wondering if lubricating the latch on the lock might make it more responsive to the key turn, and if so can it be done without removing the cap? What if lubricant (wd40) drips in the gas tank? Am I asking for trouble? Thanks.

You should be good. I'm from Hicksville (years ago) also. It used to be potato farms. Now it's just city.

DaBlue1 · May 20th, 2014, 09:10 AM

If the gas cap key tumblers are truly stuck, no amount of lube will fix it.
See this thread. https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102020

Alpen10 · May 20th, 2014, 09:13 AM

Great! Thanks, so you're out in syosset now? Are you in a riding club? I've been wondering if I might like joining one. Any advise?

cbinker · May 20th, 2014, 10:23 AM

you could take the gas cap off, clean everything and re lube it.

CC Cowboy · May 20th, 2014, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpen10

Great! Thanks, so you're out in syosset now? Are you in a riding club? I've been wondering if I might like joining one. Any advise?

I'm not even in Syosset anymore. Witness protection plan keeps me moving.

Kscreations08 · May 21st, 2014, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I'm not even in Syosset anymore. Witness protection plan keeps me moving.

Don't ask him why. He'll just get started again.

Alpen10 · May 21st, 2014, 04:33 AM

That's ok ' been there done thaaat'

Rifleman · May 22nd, 2014, 01:36 PM

ok, my son had EXACTLY the same problem.

it does no good to lube from the top, the tumblers are not the problem (plus that's an easy fix if they are)

the latch is pulled in by an lobe on the bottom of the tumblers. this is what gets a little white chalky residue from the gas in the tank and what have you.

when the cap is open, you will see a VERY small hole on the bottom where the latch is...

THIS is where you need to shoot the WD40 in.

I actually took it all apart and cleaned and lubed, but because the bottom of the cap is exposed to gas vapors, it seems no amount of lube will stay...

so, keep spritzing the little hole in the bottom and twisting the key... It will get easier, but you have to do regular maint on it monthly or so.

Alpen10 · May 22nd, 2014, 08:10 PM

Rifleman, Thanks! I tried what you said, and the latch worked like butter. It must not have been too coroded because it just started snapping back and forth no problem. I wiped off the excess and let it drip onto a rag. I'm hoping that WD40 in my gas isn't going to cause major problems?. But the latch is working like new. I'll give it a few weeks before I take it apart and give it a full lubrication. Thanks again!

Rifleman · May 23rd, 2014, 06:00 AM

glad to help, and the weird part is that there must be some kind of seal between the tumblers and the latch mech... cuz my son drenched the top in WD40 and the latch part was dry as a bone.

WD40 should be ok in the gas, drop or two. it will pick up any moisture and is an oil so should burn with the gas just fine.

I got both my kinds a little can of WD40 for christmas... to keep on the bike... My daughter had her ignition switch (and then gas cap) freeze up last fall... Rained like the dickens on Nov 17th, was 13'F on Nov 20. Squirt some WD in there and it all came lose in seconds.

May 20th, 2014, 08:55 AM	#1
Alpen10 ninjette.org member Name: Alex Location: Hicksville, NY Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250ex 06' Posts: 14	About the gas tank cap.... Hi all, I recently received my brand new master key cut to my bikes key code, but I almost broke it when I tried it on the gas tank lock, in a boneheaded rookie move. I saved it, but I was wondering if lubricating the latch on the lock might make it more responsive to the key turn, and if so can it be done without removing the cap? What if lubricant (wd40) drips in the gas tank? Am I asking for trouble? Thanks.

May 20th, 2014, 10:23 AM	#5
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	you could take the gas cap off, clean everything and re lube it. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Gas Tank Lock stuck? Maintenance for gas cap with pics!	Skippii	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	35	May 6th, 2021 09:03 PM

May 20th, 2014, 09:10 AM	#3
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	If the gas cap key tumblers are truly stuck, no amount of lube will fix it. See this thread. https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102020

May 20th, 2014, 09:13 AM	#4
Alpen10 ninjette.org member Name: Alex Location: Hicksville, NY Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250ex 06' Posts: 14	Great! Thanks, so you're out in syosset now? Are you in a riding club? I've been wondering if I might like joining one. Any advise?

May 21st, 2014, 04:33 AM	#8
Alpen10 ninjette.org member Name: Alex Location: Hicksville, NY Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250ex 06' Posts: 14	That's ok ' been there done thaaat'

May 22nd, 2014, 01:36 PM	#9
Rifleman Old and slow Name: Lohman Location: Aiken, S.C. Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Suzuki TL1000R, Honda CBR600F3, Ninja 250 Posts: 889	ok, my son had EXACTLY the same problem. it does no good to lube from the top, the tumblers are not the problem (plus that's an easy fix if they are) the latch is pulled in by an lobe on the bottom of the tumblers. this is what gets a little white chalky residue from the gas in the tank and what have you. when the cap is open, you will see a VERY small hole on the bottom where the latch is... THIS is where you need to shoot the WD40 in. I actually took it all apart and cleaned and lubed, but because the bottom of the cap is exposed to gas vapors, it seems no amount of lube will stay... so, keep spritzing the little hole in the bottom and twisting the key... It will get easier, but you have to do regular maint on it monthly or so.

May 22nd, 2014, 08:10 PM	#10
Alpen10 ninjette.org member Name: Alex Location: Hicksville, NY Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250ex 06' Posts: 14	Rifleman, Thanks! I tried what you said, and the latch worked like butter. It must not have been too coroded because it just started snapping back and forth no problem. I wiped off the excess and let it drip onto a rag. I'm hoping that WD40 in my gas isn't going to cause major problems?. But the latch is working like new. I'll give it a few weeks before I take it apart and give it a full lubrication. Thanks again!

May 23rd, 2014, 06:00 AM	#11
Rifleman Old and slow Name: Lohman Location: Aiken, S.C. Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Suzuki TL1000R, Honda CBR600F3, Ninja 250 Posts: 889	glad to help, and the weird part is that there must be some kind of seal between the tumblers and the latch mech... cuz my son drenched the top in WD40 and the latch part was dry as a bone. WD40 should be ok in the gas, drop or two. it will pick up any moisture and is an oil so should burn with the gas just fine. I got both my kinds a little can of WD40 for christmas... to keep on the bike... My daughter had her ignition switch (and then gas cap) freeze up last fall... Rained like the dickens on Nov 17th, was 13'F on Nov 20. Squirt some WD in there and it all came lose in seconds.