New Twist

So, I finally take the bike for a ride. After an hour I reach my destination and an hour later start back home. About 5 miles from home I decide to top off the tank. Then I get on the bike and ... the key won't turn in the ignition. Curious. Take it out, put it back - nope. Take it out, turn it around - nope. Push it down, jiggle it, etc. - nope. Nuts. I remove the key, look it over, seems normal - wait, it's bent slightly. Big idea. Put it back in the ignition half way, gently bend it back (think you know how this ends?), examine it, looks straight, put it back in and it works. Now this was a silly thing to to because I have a spare key on the bike anyway. Next day, get a new key made. Don't try this far from home.

John-

On my '05, I did do that at home...required a new gascap/key!

After that I had a number of spare keys made!

Got me a little "keyed up"! Thanks for posting.

Check the threads for key blanks. Curtis hd109 is one of them.
When you get new ones made chuck that old key and put the remaining oem key(s) in reserve for making more spares.

Did it get bent in the gas cap? The cap should twist closed by itself with a little pressure on the lid to seat it. If you need to turn the key to get it to close it's time for some gas lock/latch maintenance.

This is why I bought a keyless and unlockable gas cap. More convenient, less wear on the key. Looks better too. Great mod for me. YMMV.

Old Glory said:

Put it back in the ignition half way, gently bend it back (think you know how this ends?), examine it, looks straight, put it back in and it works.

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Was this a factory key? They're quite a bit softer than steel copies.

Sportznut said:

This is why I bought a keyless and unlockable gas cap. More convenient, less wear on the key. Looks better too. Great mod for me. YMMV.

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:attentio:

:worthless

Wow you sound like you avoided a big problem there. I have replaced all my original keys with after market one and have made the short ones with knobs for the saddle bags and glove box, I use the short glove box key to open my gas tank leaving the ignition one in place.

970mike said:

Wow you sound like you avoided a big problem there. I have replaced all my original keys with after market one and have made the short ones with knobs for the saddle bags and glove box, I use the short glove box key to open my gas tank leaving the ignition one in place.

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#1 tp what he said. Been doing that for years.

970mike said:

Wow you sound like you avoided a big problem there. I have replaced all my original keys with after market one and have made the short ones with knobs for the saddle bags and glove box, I use the short glove box key to open my gas tank leaving the ignition one in place.

Click to expand...

Same thing here!!!

Sportznut said:

This is why I bought a keyless and unlockable gas cap. More convenient, less wear on the key. Looks better too. Great mod for me. YMMV.

Click to expand...

Where did you get it? How much was it? Sounds like a great idea.

SMSW said:

Where did you get it? How much was it? Sounds like a great idea.

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I paid $56 including shipping. Bought the black one. Looks sharp. 10 minute install. I painted the stock bolts black.

St1300 is not listed but it fit.

Note that the 3 bolts on our ST's are functional. The rest are decorative. So you only need the 3.

Shuey turned me on to it.Thanks again Shuey.

I have had it for about a year I think. No more fumbling with the key or worrying about it breaking, and I can open it with my gloves on.

High quality part too.



http://www.slingshotracing.net/catalog/honda-cnc-racing-gas-cap-p-15.html

Sportznut said:

I paid $56 including shipping. Bought the black one. Looks sharp. 10 minute install. I painted the stock bolts black.

St1300 is not listed but it fit.

Note that the 3 bolts on our ST's are functional. The rest are decorative. So you only need the 3.

Shuey turned me on to it.Thanks again Shuey.

I have had it for about a year I think. No more fumbling with the key or worrying about it breaking, and I can open it with my gloves on.

High quality part too.



http://www.slingshotracing.net/catalog/honda-cnc-racing-gas-cap-p-15.html

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. I've contacted them to find out which one fits.

Quick story.... Many years ago, when i was in college, my roommate had a Suzi X6(?). I learned to ride on that bike and took my MC endorsement test on it. Anyway, one morning the bike refused to start. Rick noticed that there was more gas in the tank than there had been the night before. Since our apartment was next door to a bar, it wasn't too hard to figure out that the extra gas was not gas or alcohol - it had been processed through a human. I've always liked the idea of a locking gas cap. Well, at least I don't park my ST outside near bars at night......

Yes I guess there is a slight risk but I keep my bike in the garage and when I am traveling I keep it under a cover. If the villains go far enough to take the cover off the gas cap is probably the least of my worries.

I see people that leave helmets and gloves on their bikes all the time, I do occasionally as well. sometimes we just have to trust our fellow man.

Sorry to take so long to answer the two questions posted.
Yes it was a factory key.
Did it get bent with the gas cap? Hadn't thought of that. I always just push the cap down and let it lock by itself. Perhaps I was too vigorous in opening the cap.

John-