tank cap

[Kevin Smith]

''''''Try a shot of lube (in the keyhole and under the cap) and also pressing down on the cap a bit when you turn the key. Once you get it open, lube the whole mechanism with something heavier than WD-40, look for signs of excess wear that could indicate a misalignment, and check that the screws that hold the mechanism to the cap are tight. '''''' Thanks for the tips. I did finally get it open. The bike has breen sitting for many months with little use. The cap needed a good cleanup and decrud followed by the addition of a good relube. I used 'Lubriplate' commonly used in the aerospace industry. The mechanism that really needed unsticking was the portion actually inside the tank. The best way to get access would be to remove the tank, and fuel tap. Pour in a mix of oil and kerosene into the inverted tank. I am sure this would get thinks unstuck and moving again very quickly..... - Certainly much better than forcing, and possibly breaking, the key and worse. I would recommend thinking about lubing the inside of the cap at the first signs of any stickiness. You don't need to be running short of fuel and then discover you can't refuel.