Forcing fuel cap lock

Lost a bunch of keys yesterday that included the fuel cap key on my 550. I have another cap and key that was going to replace it with one day and now that has been forced on me. So what's the best way to force open the current cap?

Cheers

 

Lock picks if you can get them.
Or fashion some out of split pins. Hammer one end flat and bend it 90 degrees, this is your turn tool. Do the same to a second one and grind it thin like a key and put an S bend near the end.
Now having a second person to put downward pressure on the cap to release pressure on lock and work the pins inside while turning the tumbler.
Lots of graphite in lock first or any lube that it thin.
If you can harden these tools with heat (cherry red)and quench them in oil
If that fails go to a locksmith and it's cheaper than destroying your tank and cap.
Just did it on an old tank an took 40 seconds

 

Interesting. Not convinced I have the talent for that but I do know a locksmith. I don't mind trashing the cap but the tank is another matter..

 

First time I tried it took an hour second time 10 min now most locks 30 seconds or less.
Patience Grasshopper
Posted a video on Facebook look up
Toomanybikes

 

Hmm - it would be an interesting skill to acquire for sure.. My guess is that these would bend and break but maybe Ok for the fuel cap?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-PCS-Un...hash=item3d42ab092a:m:mF5dIRRD0uLyzuriLL31VIQ

 

Just hammer a flat screw driver into the key hole and turn it using some muscle. Drill into the lock with a 1/4" bit first.

 

I think hammer and screwdriver will be plan B. Right now I'm on teh picking trail. I have some old hacksaw blades and a bench grinder..

 

Well I'll be blowed.. Just broke into my own house with these..

 

go find your keys

 

Yes indeed, still active on that front too.

 

Same boat, I think I'm just going to run my ignition over and have a lock smith make me a key from the code.

 

Just watched your video - thanks! So you only need to run the pick up and down one side of the key-hole then? Given that the key is 'double-sided' compared to a house key I thought you might have to do both sides.

 

No just one side
Lever tool in forward part of slot
Pic in rearward part of slot

 

Since the tank is the only one using a key, I went ahead and did this. Came right off, just be careful of metal shavings, you don't have to drill through the whole lock, just the tumbler

 

http://www.capricorn.org/~akira/home/lockpick/

 

Just don't let the popo catch you with them. Some places will toss you in the clink just for possession of "tools of crime"

 

I recently bought a Chinese re-manufactured gas cap complete with a set of keys.
Looks to be of equivalent quality to the OEM, I think it was about $15.

 

Indeed so but first you got to get the old one off. In fact there's a surprising amount of information ( and vendors) on lock picks ( thanks also to Len for the link). I have practiced on a spare cap I have at home. Later in the week I'll get over to my bike store and try a new pick on the actual target as my keys have not shown up..

 

Ok - just to wrap this up. The keys haven't shown up in spite of extensive research and back tracking of steps. So last night I visited the bike with a newly fashioned (from old hacksaw blade) 'Bogota Rake' a couple of minutes later and Bob's your Uncle! Replaced cap with a spare I had and jobs a good 'un.

My only issue now is three keys one each for ignition, cap, and seat. I've heard its possible to dismantle locks and rearrange teh pins to suit a single key - but that sound real tough!

PS Many thanks to toomanybikes fo his inspiration and insight.

 

Love to see pics of your picks/ tools!

I had a situation with a garage door - keys weren't lost, they were four hours away. Tried to make some picks from some metal banding strap - thought I understood the concept (same link from above) - but just could NOT get that simpleton of a lock open.....