Gas Cap removal no key?

[solarae]

Hi Folks, aiming to swap out the tank on my GS250T for one from a GS450E. I have had a 450 tank but it's pretty banged up. Found one on fleabay with a "make an offer" and lo and behold they accepted my low ball. Wasn't actually thinking they would and had to cough up the dough. Anyhow it's in pretty good shape except for a little rust spot where it looks like the seat rubbed it and it has no key for the gas tank. Just realized I'm gonna have to get that cap off. I can use my keyed cap from the tank I have but wondering if anyone had a good suggestion for getting an unkeyed cap off, preferably without totally ruining it. TIA. Edy

 

[Hinermad]

Dumb question - have you tried the key you have in it? Sometimes the stars (and the notches on the key) align just right.

Otherwise you can get a wafer lock rake and try to rake it open. (Raking is like picking a lock but faster.)

 

[chuck hahn]

Picture a hockey stick. Take a piece of metal about the width and thickness of a key and about 3 inches long.. Next you just take part of the metal piece and grind it so the bottom half looks like a hockey stick. The slapper part you make about 3/16 inches long and about 1/8inch tall. Stick this into the key slot all the way to he bottom. Point the end to the front of the bike. There is a spring loaded waffle at the very bottom of the cylinder that locks the assembly. Now your gonna push a little toward the front of the bike with the pick while gently raising the pick off the bottom of the cylinder.
Basically you are fishing of the sweet spot where the pick pushes the waffle aside and allows the cylinder to extracted. With the combo of a little forward pressure and a little lifting action, When you hit the right spot the cylinder will lift up a little from the hole. Just keep forward pressure on the pick and draw the cylinder out.
Then all you do is use a fat flat tip to engage the dogs in the cap and remove it.

 

[solarae]

Thanks bunches you guys! Yeah, for sure I"ll try my old key. Never know. The hockey stick is just what I was looking for. Learn something new every day!

 

[chuck hahn]

I misspoke..make the bottom pick about 1/16 from the bottom to the top. The wafers are pretty thin..but you get the idea as to youve gotta slide that bottom retaining one over so it releases the cylinder.

 

[solarae]

Gotcha! Thanks again.

 

[Hinermad]

I misspoke..make the bottom pick about 1/16 from the bottom to the top. The wafers are pretty thin..but you get the idea as to youve gotta slide that bottom retaining one over so it releases the cylinder.

Will that work on a 750 seat latch too?

 

[chuck hahn]

No on the seat latch. Wont work on the ignition either. If the seat is closed and you need it open get a light and look from below. Have a small flat screwdriver in hand. Youll see the end of the latch plunger sticking out. Push it back with the screwdriver and the seat will open. Take out the 2 phillps screws and have a locksmith make a key.

 

[bobgroger]

There should be a 3 digit number on the lock. Search ebay for "Suzuki key <3 digit number>. Chances are pretty good you will find it...
Example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Suzuki-Pre-cut-key-257/253168628940

 

[chuck hahn]

Or the locksmith can just look up the code and cut one while you wait. I didnt think of the 3 digit cut code..

 

[argonsagas]

Or the locksmith can just look up the code and cut one while you wait. I didnt think of the 3 digit cut code..

Note for anyone reading:

People often tell you that you need special key blanks to fit Suzukis, and they are expensive .

No so.

As long as you have one original key that works, but want a spare, you can get it made almost anywhere keys are made by choosing a blank made for older Chryslers.

They are longer than Suzuki originals, so they extend a bit higher when inserted, but they work as well as the originals.

 

[chuck hahn]

Well........... Did you get it open yet???

 

[solarae]

As much as I thought making the pick would be fun, I have a lot of other chores so I went with the NOS key from fleabay. Should be here by Wednesday. Cost less than $12 shipped.

 

[suzukigs1100ez]

I bought a tank off eBay without a key and had our local locksmith get it open and make a key for 20 bucks. The code is on the cap but it on the bottom side of it

 

[bwringer]

IIRC, the gas cap key only has three wafers while the ignition has five.

Should be relatively easy to pick -- look up lock picking on Youtube to see the techniques.

 

[MechMessiah]

Where do you find this 3 digit code? I just had my keys come out of the ignition while riding. Didn't notice till I got to my destination. Tried back tracking my trip but no luck finding the keys.

There should be a 3 digit number on the lock. Search ebay for "Suzuki key <3 digit number>. Chances are pretty good you will find it...
Example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Suzuki-Pre-cut-key-257/253168628940

 

[cowboyup3371]

They are imprinted on the face of the lock mechanism to the tank, seat, and ignition switch. Of course, I would be more worried about how the keys worked themselves up and out of the ignition first. Did someone maybe try to steal your bike by jimmying the switch?