How does one remove the fuel cap assembly? ('87 VFR 700)

Just bought this bike and (was told) the PO couldn't get his key to work so drilled out the middle where the lock is. Not all the way through.

Anyway, I removed the 5 allen screws thinking the whole assembly would come out but there are some kind of tabs holding it in.

Thanks for any input on how to get it out so I can go about replacing with something that works!

 

Are you able to open cap? Should come right off with cap open, tabs in cap lock in tank.

 

Thanks for your reply. What you see in the pic is all I can do - so no, cap won't open. I tried to get the outer ring off but even it is held in place on the back side (toward seat). It's like Fort Knox!

 

ONE MORE bolt holding the cap ..........under the cap

 

I checked my 8th gen, older gens must be different, you are just going to hack away at the cap til it breaks loose. Can't get a big screw driver in there and twist to release cap?

 

Thanks - I am going to look at my other bike and see if I can figure out what holds it in. It's the exact same model so hoping that will help me figure it out. I will post here with results, in case it is of interest.

I have a small plasma cutter but with the fuel/fumes situation I have to rule that out...ha ha....

 

That would one way to blow it off! Kboom

 

just got down to my shop and looked at my bike and need to report my dumb, erronious error: no bolts under the cap !

but the lock must be TURNED to release the locking tabs under the cap.

prying will cause too much damage.

 

You might have to make a custom tool turn and release tabs since lock barrel is gone.

 

Thanks....haven't had time to look at my other bike yet but hope to tomorrow. Hoping that will help me see where the tabs are located. Gotta find my key first!!!

 

Yeah....and I got a feeling it will be something like this one....lol.....

 

Think you need the next size up

 

I have those......and don't think I won't use them!

I was looking at the cap assembly again just now and my new strategy is instead of trying to open the fuel tank.....to disconnect the fuel line at the fuel filter and drop a temporary line from a portable gas can with fresh gas in it just for the purposes of getting her started.

I installed a new battery tonight and it turns over just fine (I had the shutoff switch turned off).

I will post more later as I have a few questions about some other stuff.

Bear with me please......

 

Just remember it is vapor that burns, not the liquid gas!

 

Yeah - I was thinking about that the other day. Be safer to cut into a full tank than anything less than full - as crazy as that sounds.

But neither one is going to happen.

I may end up letting my mechanic handle the tank cap. This kind of stuff is in his wheelhouse...not mine!

I'll see if I can at least get her running tomorrow by bypassing the tank.

 

Pussy !

very few mechanics are trustworthy .

 

Haven't had time to work on bike again plus it's been raining - but found a used fuel tank in fairly good condition with keys - plus matching ignition and helmet locks - so seems like this is going to be the best way to go.

I just don't see how I'm getting that old cap off without destroying some stuff. Then I would still need to but another cap - and get it re-keyed to match ignition, etc.

Cha ching.....

 

How about a locksmith?

I was gonna say drop an M80 in there, but if it won't open...

 

Once I get it off the bike I figure I can either sell it as is or mess with the cap. It's all about having options!

 

I recently bought a used 87 VFR tank off ebay. The cap had been forced off and they put a slight ding next to the ring where they were forcing it. I knew that's what it was from from because one of the locking tabs was rattling around the tank. I have forced one off before too, but was more careful about padding where I was levering on. The tabs are just cast pieces so they will eventually give.