Stuck Gas cap tumblers?

Thanks for all the help guys....I now have the tank off and the fuel sending unit out.
I just barely can't see the "ears" that lock the cap...I added some gas to the tank and hoping the gas will act as a solvent...
If not, I will take tank to a locksmith Monday...cutting it close as I am supposed to ride to the Bristol race with my son this weekend.... :-(
Not too much fun if he rides and I follow him in the truck?
I filled the lower tank so atleast I can ride a few miles....
Ernie
 
I think it is unlikely the ears are frozen up. Does the key turn? Yes or No? Does the cap pop up a little? Yes or No? If the key turns and the cap does not pop up a little (hold cap down when turning key, give quick little jerk) then I think the linkage between the lock and the ears has failed in some matter. Have the cap screws real loose and try it shifted back or forward as far as it will go. Also, if the key is NOT turning and said key is NOT worn out, try some Liquid Wrench in the key hole, let set for a while then insert key and run up and down and wiggle around.
 
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Just got off the white courtesy phone with Ernie, we are going to try a method that I suggested, and will know by tomorrow if it works or not.
Keeping our fingers crossed.
Igofar
 
if a new key does not work use a little transmission fluid, they use that to un sieze moters and it worked on my lawn moyer when it ran out of oil
 
Success...kinda...with Igofar's help, I now have the lid open and off the tank.
I will now take the tumbler barrel out...may be delete the pins and just use the screwdriver "key"...for now.
Looks like the trouble is in the barrel/tumbler.
No sign of corrosion on the 'ears' inside.
I bent the key trying to jiggle and wiggle...but after soaking overnight...the barrel did move some.
Last resort, big Snap-On screwdriver and I was surprised it turned enough to unlock.
IMG_7567.jpg
IMG_7568.jpg
 
If you remove the pins wouldn't a blank key work as well as a screwdriver and be a tad more elegant? And again consider Ilco key blanks as they're steel and not gummies like the OEM keys.
 
Blfrl...
I had the tank off the bike and added "Evaporust" flipped the tank over so it soaked the cap assembly.
At that point we didn't know if my issue was a tumbler /pins/ barrel lock issue or stuck "ears" inside the tank.

After the soak...the barrel did move alittle with the key, but the key was going to bend.
I also tried to vibrate the assembly, if something were stuck, with an electric sander...sans paper...

I finally stuck a big screw driver in the slot and the barrel turned about 30*...enough the lid unlocked.

During all this, I have damaged the barrel / slot for the key...so after I get the pins out, I may still have to use a screwdriver as the key.
Ernie
 
I had a bad gas cap from the start, finally replaced with the slingshot racing part. I just removed the three cap head screws and the cap comes right off.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
 
Here's the problem...the aluminum tumbler barrel had corroded, plus all the solvents / oils I had added had turned this to mush...
I removed the tumblers, re-assembled the cap and it looks normal, other than a slightly larger key slot.
I use the key to turn the lock, but anything will work now, screwdriver, quarter, etc...IMG_7571.jpgIMG_7572.jpgIMG_7572.jpg
Thanks for everyone's input and suggestions.
 
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