EV1100 gas cap revisted

[steven c]

 My gas cap repair kit showed up from Harpers today. So what is the secret to putting it back together? Got it together but the key will not turn, turn the tumbler 180 no difference.

[yogidozer]

See if this helps
http://motoguzzimaintenance.wikifoundry.com/page/Moto+Guzzi+California+Fuel+Cap

[steven c]

Thanks, it's something.

[yogidozer]

Steve, it's been awhile. I dumped that cap for one w/o a lock.
But I seem to remember that problem. One of the parts needed to be turned 180 degrees.
Wish I could remember more, but it's been a long long time. It drove me crazy, sometimes working, sometimes not.

[NC Steve]

Or, depending on the price of the repair kit, return it and get one of these from MG Cycle. Problem solved.





http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=286&products_id=2254

80 bucks plus s&h.

[adaven]

I dumped that cap for one w/o a lock.

Yogi - what keyless cap will fit? I would love to find something.

[Wayne Orwig]

Too many questions to be of much help.
Keep in mind that the pin, that goes through the tumbler mechanism, and the plastic cap, to hold it all together, does NOT go in lined up with the cutouts like it appears they would. If that makes sense.
That is, in the photo you show, you need to turn the key (but not the lock plate), THEN assemble it. (or maybe turn the lock plate and not the key)

[Chuck in Indiana]

Too many questions to be of much help.
Keep in mind that the pin, that goes through the tumbler mechanism, and the plastic cap, to hold it all together, does NOT go in lined up with the cutouts like it appears they would. If that makes sense.
That is, in the photo you show, you need to turn the key (but not the lock plate), THEN assemble it. (or maybe turn the lock plate and not the key)

What Wayne says. It's not intuitive.. it took me a couple of tries to figure it out.

[yogidozer]

Yogi - what keyless cap will fit? I would love to find something.

Here's the email address for the guy who made mine. He's made quite a few, really good job.
stephen.brenton@gmail.com
He's in Ladson SC.

[Joliet Jim]

Here's the email address for the guy who made mine. He's made quite a few, really good job.
stephen.brenton@gmail.com
He's in Ladson SC.

That may have been the best money every spent on my Guzzi

[steven c]

Got it! Pin 90 degrees to the slot. Works great now and it is all metal so should last another 20 years. Thank you everyone for the help. It usually the small things that drive you nuts.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Here's the email address for the guy who made mine. He's made quite a few, really good job.
stephen.brenton@gmail.com
He's in Ladson SC.

Unfortunately Stephen is no longer doing any of that sort of stuff. He's retired and on the road traveling the country.

[yogidozer]

Unfortunately Stephen is no longer doing any of that sort of stuff. He's retired and on the road traveling the country.

I didn't know that. He made me a beautiful cap, don't remember how much, but I remember it was not expensive.
I hope he's doing well.

[adaven]

Thanks. For his sake, I am glad that he retired. Best decision I ever made (almost). If anybody has a keyless cap they would like to sell, I would love to make the upgrade (downgrade?). 
I may put a WTB over in the swap section.

[Rick in WNY]

Well now... I have a metal lathe, some 6061 aluminum bar stock, and a 2004 Cali 1100 who's gas cap has recently started getting harder to open... maybe I need to see about making one of these "keyless" gas cap bits for myself... and then once that's sorted, perhaps sell them here if there's some interest...

[Zoom Zoom]

The fix is so easy that I find it difficult to justify spending money on it. Anyway, for myself,  I prefer the security of a lock.

[yogidozer]

The fix is so easy that I find it difficult to justify spending money on it. Anyway, for myself,  I prefer the security of a lock.

I guess it depends on where you live, or if you leave your bike parked in areas that might be dangerous.
I don't

[Zoom Zoom]

Where I live, I could probably leave the key in the ignition and not worry about it. Where I travel to is anybody's guess. For instance sitting in a hotel parking lot all night.

ZZ

[yogidozer]

Where I live, I could probably leave the key in the ignition and not worry about it. Where I travel to is anybody's guess. For instance sitting in a hotel parking lot all night.

ZZ

I have a solution. Hotels sometimes frown on campfires 

[Rick in WNY]

Good points on where you leave your bike parked.

Zoom Zoom, you know where I live... the biggest "crimes" we have around here is some people's sense of fashion. 

That said... I wonder about making it so you need to insert a key-shaped object to open the cap... not a lock per se, but something that looks like one... Mmmm... I smell a project brewing... or maybe that's coffee....

[steven c]

 I find it interesting the PO (my late friend Ron) never had an issue with the cap but then it has been off the road since 2015. I think I put to much gas in the tank and parked on the side stand so the cap was soaking in gas. It came off with no issue at the gas station, I then  rode the 3 miles home and the cap came okay off to pour in some Sea Foam but was stuck when I put it back on. Hopefully now with no plastic parts it should be fine.

[Zoom Zoom]

I have a solution. Hotels sometimes frown on campfires 

To begin with, the vertical surface of the plastic piece is what sticks. Using a milling bit on a Dremel Tool to remove a little material from that surface fixes the original trouble. I have sat at rallies and used my pocket knife, scraping it to fix peoples caps. It's simply not the sky is falling catastrophe that some would like to believe it is.

As for where the merits of a lock might be considered useful, there are many. I used one example.  My travels include, but are not limited to tent camping. The department store or mall parking lot. The movie theater where I could be away from the bike for a couple hours. Do You leave your car unlocked when you walk away from it in such locations? I'll bet not. 

As I said, a locking cap is MY preference. Do as you wish. It was not my goal to instigate a lock/no lock debate. I'm simply saying the fix is FREE. It only takes a few minutes.

John Henry 

[xackley]

Is there a link to a non locking gas cap that fits. I always feel a locking gas cap is a solution looking for a problem. 45 years of riding and no one has messed with the gas cap or anything else on my motorcycles.
Don

[yogidozer]

To begin with, the vertical surface of the plastic piece is what sticks. Using a milling bit on a Dremel Tool to remove a little material from that surface fixes the original trouble. I have sat at rallies and used my pocket knife, scraping it to fix peoples caps. It's simply not the sky is falling catastrophe that some would like to believe it is.

As for where the merits of a lock might be considered useful, there are many. I used one example.  My travels include, but are not limited to tent camping. The department store or mall parking lot. The movie theater where I could be away from the bike for a couple hours. Do You leave your car unlocked when you walk away from it in such locations? I'll bet not. 

As I said, a locking cap is MY preference. Do as you wish. It was not my goal to instigate a lock/no lock debate. I'm simply saying the fix is FREE. It only takes a few minutes.

John Henry

Hey, don't get all upset, you stated your preference, I stated mine.
I'm sending you some cranberry juice. I'll put a lock on that cap too. 

[adaven]

I agree with all of you. The fix is easy. If it stumps you there are replacements available. No sweat. But I have never had a problem with anyone messing with my gas cap in order to steal gas or add a foreign substance. Doesn't mean it can't happen.
But my preference is to be able to check the fuel level without shutting the bike off if it is running. I also like a small keychain, so I don't want an extra key. It is no big deal either way, but if someone has a keyless cap they don't see the need for, or if Rick wants to experiment with a new cottage industry, I am happy to be a customer.

[Rick in WNY]

Thinking about it... my 82 Goldwing... the gas cap doesn't lock. My wife's 08 Softail... gas cap doesn't lock. Our cars and my truck... gas caps don't lock... My Guzzi is the only one that locks... but again, where I live and where I frequent, someone messing with your gas cap / gas tank is basically a non-issue. There are so many more things to bother me up here... like bad drivers, people on cell phones, deer, etc.

So, Zoom Zoom, I'll take my cap apart tonight and scrape it down a bit like you mentioned... I'm thinking my lathe will help me make short work of it. But while I'm in there.... I might see about gutting it and making it keyless... because I can.

[Zoom Zoom]

The rolling eyes emoge on both responses sort of suggests otherwise. I can't say that I'm really upset either. I'm mearly suggested food for thought. If you seem to think that is stupid, well, that's on you. I'm done.

Cheers

ZZ

[yogidozer]

The rolling eyes emoge on both responses sort of suggests otherwise. I can't say that I'm really upset either. I'm mearly suggested food for thought. If you seem to think that is stupid, well, that's on you. I'm done.

Cheers

ZZ

That's what's called, sarcasm. A joke. If I was trying to insult you, I could do a better job.
Hope you're feeling better.