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Gas tank lock broke! HELP!!!

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by xedge4lifex, Sep 2, 2008.

  1. xedge4lifex

    xedge4lifex New Member

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    i was filling up the other day, and i couldnt get the key to turn in the cap on my 81 maxim.

    i brought it home squirted wd40 in the key cylinder and tryed again, this time the key turned a full 360 no prob when before it only turned about 90 degrees to unlock the gas cap.

    im actually in the process of trying to sell the bike, and i could use some help, if anyone has experienced this problem before.

    heres a pic just if anyone was wondering.

    [​IMG]
     
    xedge4lifex, Sep 2, 2008
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  2. TheHound

    TheHound Active Member

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    Well at least it's not stuck shut.
    You can remove it from the bike and take it apart.
    Sounds like the whole tumbler assembly is turning under the cap.
     
    TheHound, Sep 3, 2008
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  3. Hvnbnd

    Hvnbnd Active Member

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    Yep, What Hound said!
    I had one go bad once, had to buy a different lock just to get the tumbler then take it to the locksmith and have him make the pins all fit then put it all back together....pita
     
    Hvnbnd, Sep 3, 2008
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  4. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    Pull the cap, disassemble, clean, lube and put it back into service. As mentioned, the lock should only turn 90 degrees, not 360. It may well be time for a new cap (about $50 new from Chacal, our local parts guru).
     
    Robert, Sep 3, 2008
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  5. Danilo

    Danilo Member

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    OR you could simply remove the lock pins and render it a Non locking cap. Looks/ works the same as before..
    Unlikely Anyone is gonna steall 2 gallons of gas from a Moto is it? :)
     
    Danilo, Sep 3, 2008
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  6. xedge4lifex

    xedge4lifex New Member

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    i should have been more specific, i meant to say its stuck locked down haha i never did get the cap open or off.
    so yeah it is locked in the down position.

    im thinking if there is anyway to pull the clyinder, or maybe drill it out... however i would want to minimize sparks via gas tank haha.
    there is a local lock smith, but right now im broke as hell.

    thanks for every ones quick posts!
    Aaron
     
    xedge4lifex, Sep 3, 2008
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  7. Hvnbnd

    Hvnbnd Active Member

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    Aaron save some $ then go see the lock smith.
    If you drill it you'll have shavings in there and if you cause a spark....well you know gas and sparks...
    I guess thats why the lock smith gets the big money.
     
    Hvnbnd, Sep 4, 2008
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  8. bill

    bill Active Member

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    Dumb question - if it will spin 360 can you just pull it out? The cylinder is held in place by a "pin" that keeps it in and also stops it from turning more than 90 degrees so you may be able to just pull the lock.

    From there you should be able to open the cap to remove it and resolve your problem.
     
    bill, Sep 4, 2008
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  9. xedge4lifex

    xedge4lifex New Member

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    im in goods with the local lock smith, so maybe ill talk to him tomorrow, and see what he can do. i just painted the dumb tank a month ago! i dont want to have to get a new tank just because of some dumb lock
     
    xedge4lifex, Sep 4, 2008
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  10. roverguy

    roverguy Member

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    I'm in the same mess, except the tank never unlocked since I got the bike; it's been soaking for 2 weeks & won't budge. I was thinking about drilling out also, but I do worry about the sparks. I just pulled it off tonight & drained almost all of the gas out.

    I assume there is an arm that rotates with the lock cyl past a notch that allows it to open?

    The bike is not near ready to run yet, so I am not overly concerned, but it on my list of have tos.
     
    roverguy, Sep 4, 2008
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  11. Hvnbnd

    Hvnbnd Active Member

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    rover be careful that empty gas tank is more dangerous than a full one. The explosive factor is real high with an empty tank.....I'd fill it with water (not really smart) rather than blow the darn thing up!
     
    Hvnbnd, Sep 4, 2008
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  12. chillywillie

    chillywillie New Member

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    i just used the appropriate scewdrIver and opend the tank,but the lock will be toast. Mine has been sitting since 1992 I will just use a stubby screw driver until I can getanother one. The lock smith made me a set of keys for the ignition and seat 23$ I am using laquer thinner to clean out the tank. flushed about 6 times now and still not done.
     
    chillywillie, Sep 5, 2008
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  13. xedge4lifex

    xedge4lifex New Member

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    hey all, i took it to the local locksmith and got it taken off, with little damage to the tank.
    anyone know were i can get a gas cap?
    ill spend up to 20 bones on one!
    thanks
     
    xedge4lifex, Sep 9, 2008
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  14. schmuckaholic

    schmuckaholic Well-Known Member

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    New ones will cost you a wee bit more than $20 -- more like $60. Chacal should stock them, depending on model.
     
    schmuckaholic, Sep 9, 2008
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  15. Hvnbnd

    Hvnbnd Active Member

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    you should be able to find 1 on Flea Bay, just take it to the locksmith and he will fix the pins to fit your key
     
    Hvnbnd, Sep 9, 2008
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  16. svaroh

    svaroh New Member

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    Hi, sorry to resurrect an old post but this is exactly my problem.
    the key on my 81 midnight maxim spins and spins with no effect. the cap is down and closed rendering me unable to add fuel. the original poster took his tank to a locksmith and had it opened with 'little damage to the tank'. I'm an apprentice locksmith and this thing has me baffled. is there an exploded view of the tank cap somewhere? if i could see how it goes together i can get it apart. any help/suggestions would be much appreciated.
    thanks,
    -Jordan
     
    svaroh, Apr 23, 2010
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  17. grmeyers

    grmeyers Member

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    When you get it off you can buy a new cap at: http://tinyurl.com/37g7s7s

    $51.59
     
    grmeyers, Apr 23, 2010
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