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#1:  Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? (SOLVED) Author: Busrydr,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:47 pm

When I got my barn yard find, it had no keys except a jimmyed key that unlocked the gas cap. I bought a used lock set from eBay (ignition, helmet holder, gas cap and tool box). All worked well except the gas cap that came with the bike looked much, much better than the gas cap in the replacment set I bought.

I was able to tear down the gas cap and thought I was on my way to swapping out the lock tumbler so I would have matched keys for the bike. But I got everything apart except I could not figrure out how to get the actual lock out.

Can the lock be removed and replaced? Any tricks to the trade? Is there a how to some where?

Thanks

Last edited by Busrydr on Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:55 am; edited 1 time in total

#2:   Author: 48vintage,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:53 pm

Don't think I could do it, but a locksmith may be able to re-key the lock.
Yamaha site don't show a replacement lock set, just a whole cap.

Gary

#3:   Author: Jake,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:23 pm

I think the lock cylinder can be removed, I've attached a pdf file detailing one type of locking gas cap. The basics for removing the cylinder should be about the same, just the actual catch mechanism will be different. If you try it, be sure to post the results.

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#4:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? Author: scootermcq,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:54 pm

I did it, so yes... you can change the tumbler in the lock.

Just open it and remove the screws on the bottom of the gas cap. You will need the key to turn the tumbler to remove it....

#5:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? Author: Busrydr,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:11 pm

Jake, thanks for the write up. That may help.

Scott, you give me new hope. I had gotten everything off but it seemed as if something was holding the tumbler in place tight. But I did not try turning it with the key. I'll pull it off again and check that out tonight.

I need to get a spare key made and I wanted to have all the locks the same. The lock set I bought came for a gold trim bike and the gas cap looked like crap. The cap that came on the bike when I got it is a bright shiny chome but a key was jimmyed to fit. I'm guessing a previous owner had to make do and made a key work to get gas in it. The ignition was trashed also due to no key.

Knowing its been done means I can do it Beers

Thanks all

#6:   Author: Roger Ramjet,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:12 pm

The Chrome is only a thin little cover and it can be carefully popped off and changed with the other one same way only backwards.... and it's FREE


This same question came up a few years ago and I posted pictures to prove my point,you may find the post somewhere

#7:   Author: Roger Ramjet,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:30 pm

Trust me I looked for the old post where I put pictures . The chrome is only a thin little pc of tin and you'll see if you look close enough that it will pop off with a very small flat head screw driver. And then it will pretty much snap back on the cap with the key you want to use. The topic was like 4 or 5 yrs ago I gave up looking.

#8:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? Author: Chappy Doo,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:02 pm

Once you take the back off, (two screws) (1st pic) you will see the back of the lock. (2nd pic). Flat washer comes off easily exposing a black rubber washer (3rd pic). If you carefully remove this black washer, you will expose the retainer of the lock. (4th pic, retainer position is circled) If you can push that retainer back (5th pick, only tumbler sticking up), you can push the core out the front. You do not need a key for this.

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#9:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? Author: Chappy Doo,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:04 pm

Last two pics

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#10:   Author: Roger Ramjet,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:09 pm

That's a good description nothing like good pictures, For me when I did mine I had two bike and two caps, one pitted and one perfect. I could not figure out how to remove the barrel as I was swapping tanks over . And I just happened to notice the chrome thingy was easier. So that the keys for bike two were all alike. I changed the cap and lock itself but with the nicer chrome. and helmet lock as well

#11:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? Author: Chappy Doo,  Post Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:19 pm

As a locksmith, we preferred not to pry anything off when we knew how to get around it, leaves chances for scratching and possibly ruining the chrome piece of things that were customers. Nothing wrong with doing a complete swap like that, just have to be careful.

#12:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? Author: Busrydr,  Post Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:22 am

WOW! Can't get any better than that unless you came over and swap the lock out for me. Thanks Chappy Doo for the detailed pics.

I didn't get around to this last night. Spent too much time putting on some passing light. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Thanks,

Steve

#13:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? Author: ridgerunner,  Post Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:10 am

Mine had a mismatched ignition key and gas cap. I took the lock apart and removed the pins and springs so that basically any key or screwdriver will open the gas cap. It doesn't look any different than it did. The lock could be kept intact and rekeyed but I didn't want to do more than make it work.

#14:   Author: Roger Ramjet,  Post Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:59 pm

ridgerunner wrote (View Post): ›
Mine had a mismatched ignition key and gas cap. I took the lock apart and removed the pins and springs so that basically any key or screwdriver will open the gas cap. It doesn't look any different than it did. The lock could be kept intact and rekeyed but I didn't want to do more than make it work.



Now thats the best idea right there. Kinda like my worn out ignition switch any key will start it. Oh crap don't tell anyone. LOL

#15:   Author: Jake,  Post Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:59 pm

Roger Ramjet wrote (View Post): ›
ridgerunner wrote (View Post): ›
Mine had a mismatched ignition key and gas cap. I took the lock apart and removed the pins and springs so that basically any key or screwdriver will open the gas cap. It doesn't look any different than it did. The lock could be kept intact and rekeyed but I didn't want to do more than make it work.



Now thats the best idea right there. Kinda like my worn out ignition switch any key will start it. Oh crap don't tell anyone. LOL


I like that idea too. Locking gas caps are not a great idea in my opinion. If someones gonna steal my gas they don't need to remove the cap. If someone wants to do something to damage my bike there are far better ways of doing it besides adding something into the tank.

#16:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? Author: Busrydr,  Post Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:55 am

Amazing what a little knowledge will do for you. Takes all of 3 minutes to switch the locks. I used an Exacto Blade to do the trick. A tiny screw driver would have worked as well but the blade in finger reach.

Thanks again Chappy Doo

#17:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? (SOLVED) Author: Chappy Doo,  Post Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:02 am

No prob. Glad I could help.

#18:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? (SOLVED) Author: locksmith,  Post Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 2:44 am

Chappy Doo wrote (View Post): › No prob. Glad I could help.


really very informative thread

#19:  Re: Can Key Tumbler in Gas Cap be Switched? (SOLVED) Author: bellytank,  Post Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 11:42 pm

Yes- I had the same key problem with my basket cases -I had to replace a missing ignition switch with one that didn't have a key I got from the local bike yard. Of course no key for the tank either. I took the switch and the tank to a local lock smith and he opened the gas tank lock first and with that info made a key for it. He then disassembled the ignition switch and reset the tumblers (?) to match the fuel tank key. The new key fits all the locks on the bike now. I also had a spare made just in case. The total bill was about $47.00 - not too bad considering 2.5 hours of labor - The fuel tank lock was really corroded shut.

Bellytank
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