Sticky fuel cap, broken key

[UlyNewby]

I stopped to fill up on my way into work this chilly morning in WI, and damn near broke my only key off in the fuel cap. It's always been a bit sticky since I bought the bike just over a month ago, but it must have been extra sticky this morning being about 38°. I ended up leaving my Uly at the gas station and got picked up to get to work. I straightened out the key and immediately bought a two-pack of blanks on eBay once I found out none of the HD dealerships or hardware stores in the area carry blanks. I THINK/HOPE the key is straight/strong enough to turn the ignition and get me home, as well as make a decent copy once the blanks come in. I'm really hoping the crack doesn't turn into a full break, leaving half of the key in the ignition.

I'm torn between buying a keyless fuel cap and trying to clean out the internals of my existing one to allow for smoother removal and installation. What are your thoughts on the fuel cap?

 

[BambamXB12r]

It's a great system, clean it and continue to use the OEM cap in my opinion.

 

[Simplymichaeljr]

^^^^lube it

 

[user_deleted]

if the key is slightly cracked do NOT ever insert it again into the locking mechanism. if it breaks off you're screwed. use it to have dupes made. once done remove the cap...get yourself a spray bomb of Kano Kroil and with cap removed put the red straw inside the tiny lock door....spray....flip cap over...spray gasket....and spray both of the locking ears as well as the tiny gizmos you see underneath the ears. now insert key with cap OFF of bike and work it lock to unlock and back again. you'll immediately feel it loosen up and work smoothly again. kano kroil is the key.

 

[UlyNewby]

Kano Kroil is the bee's knees. I got a bottle of it from work and use it on all of my stuck bicycle parts during repairs. I'll give it a shot once I make the two duplicates. The main problem is leaving my bike at the gas station (halfway between home and work) until Monday. I need to get a pickup truck haha.

 

[glenn r]

Any Harley dealership can get copy's made with your vin# for bout $10 each

 

[Cooter]

Kroil is really good stuff, blow through the lock cylinder with compressed air when you're done. It will spread it around the pins and springs better and also get rid of the unneeded excess that collects dirt in a Uly.

I prefer Dry Graphite lube for lock cylinders. YMMV. Wear gloves or you'll look like you spent the night at the local PD:black_eyed:

Do your seat lock too while your in the garage.

 

[Cooter]

:upset:





double edit: HEY! No more ten F**king letters!! Someone PM Lunatic right away!!