Unlocking gas tank without a key

[Endopotential]

I've been wanting to do a bare brushed metal tank for my GS.

I found a nice tank off of Ebay, but it unfortunately didn't come with a key for the gas cap.  I can't figure out how to get the stock cap removed from the tank without that key.  Undoing all the hex screws isn't enough.

So do I have to learn how to lock pick?  Drill a hole through that key core somehow?  Please tell me there's some better way around this...

[Watcher]

You could try hammering a screwdriver into the key slot and hope you break all the tumblers and can open it, but you risk damaging more than just the lock that way.
If you drill it it's overall "safer" but you will probably end up with debris inside the tank.

If you try to force it off without retracting the bars you could severely damage the mouth of the tank.


I think there's tumblers on both sides, it'd be a tricky lock to pick, especially for someone who doesn't know what they're doing.



The only alternative would be to pay a locksmith?  I THINK it's possible for a professional to make a key for the lock.  But I have no idea how long or how much money it will take.

[sledge]

You are not trying hard enough!

The cap heads at 1/4past, 1/2past and 1/4to are dummies. Remove the other 4 and the whole assy will lift away from the tank.

[mr72]

You are not trying hard enough!

The cap heads at 1/4past, 1/2past and 1/4to are dummies. Remove the other 4 and the whole assy will lift away from the tank.

On my tank, it will not come off unless the cap is open (unlocked).

I am watching this thread with interest since I think I will be in the same situation with the tank that I bought on ebay.

[qcbaker]

not sure if this will work with the tank, but it does for seat locks:

put your current key into the lock on the new tank and lightly twist it as if you were going to open the lock (it wont turn, but keep the light rotational pressure on). while trying to turn the key, push the key in and out of the lock. eventually, the lock may open. its important to keep the key lightly twisted so that when you rake the key in and out, the pins or wafers that you push up stay up.

This method normally works for wafer locks, I don't know that the gas tank lock is the same as the seat lock in this way, but its worth a try. If it doesnt open the lock, as long as you dont bend the key you arent going to hurt anything.

[Endopotential]

You are not trying hard enough!

The cap heads at 1/4past, 1/2past and 1/4to are dummies. Remove the other 4 and the whole assy will lift away from the tank.

On my tank, it will not come off unless the cap is open (unlocked).

I am watching this thread with interest since I think I will be in the same situation with the tank that I bought on ebay.

Yeah, we're in the same boat Josh!  After reading your other tread, I was the one that picked up the yellow tank on ebay.

I can confirm that at least for 500F tanks, removing all the hex screws isn't enough.  The key is needed to undo the lock flange on the bottom lip of the tank neck.  I have the locking mechanism from my other tank, so I can see the problem.

Thanks qcbaker for the suggestion.  I'll keep fiddling with the key. 
Else may be a long shot - thinking I'll take that fuel valve off the bottom of the tank, and see if I can get a good enough view to push on that flange from the inside.

[Joolstacho]

Well you're going to need a key for the cap anyway aren't you? So why would you not just take the tank to a locksmith to get a key made?
(Or is that too sensible?)

[Watcher]

Well you're going to need a key for the cap anyway aren't you? So why would you not just take the tank to a locksmith to get a key made?
(Or is that too sensible?)

I was assuming they'd use the cap off the current bike on the new tank...

[Big Rich]

Without looking at a GS gas cap..... aren't there a set of numbers on the cap? If there are, those numbers are for the "key code", and can be used to get a replacement key.

But if you don't see any numbers, that info won't do you any good....

[Endopotential]

Well you're going to need a key for the cap anyway aren't you? So why would you not just take the tank to a locksmith to get a key made?
(Or is that too sensible?)

Would have made total sense, but I'm looking to replace the stock cap with one that doesn't need a key.  I keep my bikes garaged and the less keys to fiddle with the better.

[Endopotential]

Yet another upside of owning a GS500 is it's teaching me all sorts of things about grand larceny 

In case anyone is interested in know what is involved in drilling out the lock core - I used a 1/4" bit to ream out the slot until it was wide enough for me to pound a chisel into it.  Then a clockwise turn on the chisel, and the cap comes off.  Voila!

[dgyver]

Actually the gas cap lock is fairly easy to pick without damaging it. I have opened a few of them. Easy to rekey them as well if you have spare tumblers...same as the seat lock tumblers.