My tank had some dents in it and so I went and got a new one on eBay and the guy didn't include the key for it and it came all locked up. Any ideas of how to get it off without just getting it off with brute force? I have the one off my old tank so I don't really care what happens to this one I just have to get it off...any suggestions are appreciated.

 

take it to a locksmith, they can make a key for probably $30, then you can take it off and throw it on ebay and sell it for $40 but taking it to the locksmith in your car will cost $40 for F*ING gas (assuming u live close to one) so... 40-30-40=-30. so you'll spend 30 bones to do it but in the end you will be happy. sry for the B.S. but yea, take it to a locksmith, if they are any good they can do it for pretty cheap.

 

Of the several hex nuts surrounding the gas cap, only 3 have to be removed to remove the cap completely, I "think" it's two toward the front of the bike and one towards the rear. Not an ideal solution but gives you some rideability for now. Also you can relace with an aftermarket non-keyed cap.

 

Take all the bolts out put a key in it (I assume you have a key that will go in it but not turn) Push down on the key and turn the whole unit while pushing down. If you find the sweet spot you can get it off. I had the same problem when I picked up my '03. I see your from Grand Rapids, you make it down to battle creek/Kalamazoo anytime?

 

I totally F'd up a gas tank once by taking all the bolts out and not realizing there were bolts under the lip holding it down... broke the lock and scratched the paint around the lip. I did get it off though.

 

I am not saying that I have done it repeatedly. I did it once. I had to drill out the tank on my gs500. I don't have a clue how I got it to work on my f4i. I just did like I explained and it worked It might not for you and I wouldn't suggest hours of trying my way it just worked for me once, and I know it shouldn't have.

 

Thanks everybody,I ended up just drilling it out cause I didn't need it anyways. The only prob with that was trying to get all the metal chips out of the tank...