Another EV stuck key

[steven c]

 So on my new to me 98 EV the key got stuck last night. Lucky it was after I had just gotten gas, where it worked fined, but when I got home I took the cap off to pour in some sea foam (bike was off the road since 2005)  the key got stuck when trying to put the cap back on.I just did the remove a coil from the spring fix and that did not work. before this happened the key was getting a little hard to turn so I sprayed some graphite into the lock the that really smoothed things nicely then I got gas then it stuck. Other then sometimes taking a while to warm up the bike is running fine. In photo coil I cut off is between the key and spring.

[Wayne Orwig]

No idea how cutting the coil would help.

The plastic is swollen and tight. It needs ground down.

[jcctx]

Can't speak for other's, but my cap stuck with no sign of plastic swelling or distortion; cut off a coil and never had another issue.

[yogidozer]

I had swbrenton  make me up a beautiful keyless cap....never had a problem. 

[Bill]

Had to sand down the surfaces. Now works fine.
Bill

[steven c]

So sand down all the rotating parts I gather. I was focused on the top piece where the pin goes through, just figure out the whole thing is plastic. In case I mess it up Harpers has a replacement without the tumbler so you can use the stock key. I like the keyless cap some people have mentioned.

[marcmorrison]

The next time you lock the gas cap, just turn the key clockwise enough that you can pull out the key...no need to turn it full bore clockwise to keep it shut.  Yes, sand down the moving parts will help, but try this idea as well.

[LowRyter]

Happened to me maybe 10 years ago.  I followed the instructions here on WG to take it apart. Took my pocket knife to it for 5 minutes.  Put it back together and no problems since. 

Guzzis are fun or annoying, take your choice.  I will say, some days the kool aid tastes a little bitter.