07 VFR800 Gas cap stuck

I can't open the gas cap. It pops up when I turn the key but for some reason I can't fully open it to fill up. Any ideas to what the problem is? Thanks.

 

unlatch the cap. then maybe unbolt the whole assembly ring.. and give it a work out...

 

have you put graphite into the lock/keyhole and opened & closed it to work the graphite through the mechanism?

 

Sounds like the rubber gasket is stuck to the fill hole for some reason. I would try to gently pry it open with a soft tool (plastic) so as not to damage the finish and see if it will give and open, otherwise I say go with Crust and unbolt the whole assembly and see what's goin on from the inside. Note, only a few of the "bolts" ( three I think) actually bolt to the tank, the others are fakies to make it look better and more symmetrical, I don't know if they turn or not, I've never tried, never had mine off actually. Let me know if you need pictures and guidance as to which bolts are which, mine opens just fine so I can look at the inside with ease.

 

From the cheap seats.. Open the filler cap, cover the filler hole with a piece of duct tale and give the area a shot of compressed air. Lube the hinge with some WD40.

Sounds to me like more a crud problem than a mechanical failure.

 

Rubber got sticky and it got stuck to the filler hole. I pried the latch using a spatula and rag to protect the finish then sprayed Lube One on a rag and ran it around the rubber gasket and now it works.

Thanks for all the help!

 

It just hit me what caused this thread... ETHANOL. The rubber components were designed to resist gasoline, but not alcohol based compounds. The ethanol is making the gas cap seal softer than it should be. Silicone spray would probably be your best bet to prevent sticking. Hopefully the government doesn't decide to go to 15% ethanol in our gas or I'll be sending them the repair bills when components on my 1999 machine succumb to the ethanol. On a happier note, the sta-bil ethanol treatment works great and I noticed an improvement in the way the bike runs. I'm just too lazy to use it all the time.

 

So my first post with my new-to-me 2008 VFR 800. The gas cap stuck and bent my key with me trying to force it at the gas station. Headed home on fumes and tried to force it open with a spatula and no luck. So I had to remove the whole assembly. I did find out which three bolts really hold it down (see pic).

I worked some WD40 into the latch and everything is fine now. Frustrating.

 

First reference to a spatula as the tool of choice for motorcycle repair that I know of.....awesome.

 

LOL...yea I had to ask my wife for one

 

Lube the "ears", the keyhole and the hinge too with WD40 or one of the similars. Not for use on pancakes or sunnyside up eggs.

 

Will do. WD40 is the solution to most of life's problems.

 

Great stuff that.. I converted a BMW from an RT to an RS. The lower parts of the fairing had never been off the bike since the factor assembly. Airhead boxers have what I think are sand cast engine shrouds and this puppy was really grungy. Removing the whole fairing I soaked the engine in WD-40 and put the bike in the shop for about a week. Hosed it down with a pressure washer and it came clean..

Contrary to lore, the guys who invented WD-40 did not also invent CheeseWhiz.

 

Interesting. I tried to fill up my 2004 for the first time and had the same problem. Cap popped about 1/4 inch and would not go further. I went home and removed the ring. Working silicone lube into the works now. Hope it works. Seems this is a systemic problem.

 

I have a RWB 07. I've had the sticky gas cap since day one. I tried the graphite but I ended up putting too much in and it just made it worse. After I cleaned up that mess, I switched to using a WD-40-like product to lube the lock. I just shoot a small amount in the top, insert the key and work it around. It works well for a month or so or until it rains, then I do it again. At this point I just look at it as a regular maintenance item.

 

I gots some plastic spatulas me uses in dah kitchen, they are even from the father land, erR mother land (Germany) you thems make some great knives and shit! Henkel er something wtih twins, I dont sprechenZee so dont jump all ova me!

Glad you werent pushing your ride home cause of the gas cap, what a nutty thing...

 

Yea I've had to do it again about a month later. Strange. I thought it might have to do with with the heat and the expanding seal, but either way I make sure I check it before I ride each time. Kinda frustrating.

 

Mine does the same thing...won't open. Sucks since I already scratched it up using a spare key to open it from the front, but now I know what to do - thanks for the good info everyone!

 

Gas Cap Sticks BAD


Its the same setup on the ST1300 and this fixed mine.


Dude was Spot on!

 

Haven't had a seal issue yet, but just wanted to throw this out there as an aside: Everyone should be making sure to PUSH down, THEN turn the key to the right to open the cap. The cap doesn't explicitly state this (which is f%cking dumb), but the spring mechanism that is meant to return the key to the locked position when closing the cap work in such a way as to provide resistance when unlocking if you don't apply a little pressure.

I learned this the hard way by breaking my only factory key off in the lock a week after I bought the bike. :frusty: