Good evening gents I am in the process of resurrecting my '99 900SS which I haven't ridden in more than 5 years... As punishment for the neglect of my Duc, it is flatly refusing to allow me to unlock the "petrol tank cap" (gas cap where I live) and browsing around to see if I can find a solution to this dilemma I came across this forum. The Supersport sub-forum here seems far more active than the regular North American Ducati forums (I'm in Canada - British Columbia / West Coast, close to Vancouver to be exact) so I decided to join. -- Canucduck (...still trying to get the filler cap to cooperate...)
Errrr and ladies :Banghead: Hello and welcome to the wonderful ownership of the SS I love these bikes No idea though about the cap though someone more knowledgable will be along shortly
Good morning Canuckduck. Sorry if this sounds patronising but you are certain it's the right key? I am guessing it has been quite a while before you have opened the lock? if this is the case then unless key profile is worn (much rocking around and 'angling' of the key whilst you twist it (clockwise) as much as you dare without breaking it usually works in the end) then you can only resort to soaking the barrel with releasing fluid hoping it will help. Unfortunately it doesn't usually get to the part that is sticking. You can also try pushing the whole (golden) body down and then releasing repeatedly as you try and turn the key*. If you have removed the whole assy before you will know whether you put the one security screw back in - it's worth trying to remove whole assy if you haven't done this already. *as a last resort you can also try levering the hinged golden body upward lightly while turning key. I have yet to drill out a lock when I have the correct key even if it's worn - I wish you luck.
Hi Chris, Thanks for the advice. I bought the bike new back in 2000 (it's a '99 model year tho) and it uses the same key for the ignition and the filler cap. The strange thing is that IIRC the filler cap lock was sort of "spring-loaded" in that the key felt like it tended to return to the 12 o'clock position if you let go of it. That "spring-loaded" feel is completely gone ... I'm guessing (but hoping NOT) that something internal to the lock corroded away or something. I will continue fiddling with it, my back-up plan being to ride it to a Ducati service center so they can look after it once I get the engine etc running. Short history (continuing my introduction I guess): I rode my 900SS extensively until about 2006 (well, 41,000 KM is not that extensive but I also owned 2 cars at the time). The company I work for then allowed me to work from home - the age of the Virtual Office etc - and I used my bike less & less, only going for rides on weekends but then life just started getting into the way too much. It has always been treated like a baby and had its own corner in the garage under a retired flannel sheet. I don't want a new bike as I fell in love with the old 750F1 back in the mid-eighties. I was riding Japanese bikes back then, lived in South Africa and not only could I not afford a Duc but back then there was only one place in the country that could service a Ducati. If ever I buy a second bike it would be an old 750F1, if I could find one that is. I just love the old air-cooled / trellis framed Ducs.
yes you are right, the key would normally self-centre upon fully closing lock with spring assistance (and yours is gummed up). I find it easier on a lot of them to close the cap by pressing down gently on the flap without even touching the key as it revolves anticlockwise.
light oil, and tap repeatedly and lightly with small hammer for a couple of minutes on top of barrel.
you know your self, when yer in the mood and your a bit of a pro, no lock while keep from the holy grail.
Chastity Belt Oh say, gentle maiden, may I be your lover Condemn me no longer to moan and to weep Struck down like a hawk, I lie wounded and bleeding Oh let down your drawbridge, I'll enter your keep Enter your keep nonie nonie, enter your keep nonie nonie Let down your drawbridge, I'll enter your keep Alas gentle errant, I am not a maiden I'm married to Sir Oswald, that cunning old Celt He's gone to wars for twelve months or longer And he's taken the key to my chastity belt Chastity belt nonie nonie, chastity belt nonie nonie Taken the key to my chastity belt Fear not gentle lady for I know a locksmith To his shop we will go, on his door we will knock And try to avail us of his technical knowledge And see if he's able to unpick your lock Unpick your lock nonie nonie, unpick your lock nonie nonie See if he's able to unpick your lock Alas sir and madam, to help I'm unable My technical knowledge is to no avail I can't find the secret to your combination For the cunning old bastard has fitted a Yale Fitted a Yale nonie nonie, fitted a Yale nonie none The cunning old bastard has fitted a Yale I come from the wars with dire news of disaster A terrible mishap I have to confide As my ship was a passing the Straits of Gibraltar I carelessly dropped the key over the side Over the side nonie nonie, over the side nonie nonie Carelessly dropped the key over the side Alas and alack I am locked up forever Then up spoke the page boy "Leave it to me" If you will allow me to enter your chamber I'll open it up with me duplicate key Duplicate key nonie nonie, duplicate key nonie nonie Open it up with me duplicate key
Greetings from the East Coast. Saw your weather; good enough for riding! (Lived in Victoria for several years) A meter of snow hear and s'posed to be a balmy MINUS 20C here tonite, so.....
Morning Crow! Yes you're so right - it was the sound of motorcycles in the street in front of my house all day long that got my juices flowing for getting back on my 900. If this is what Global Warming is all about (+18 Deg. C on Saturday here where I am) I'm all for it! :Happy:
So true... so true... I'll figure it out yet! Still fighting the urge to resort to violence tho! (Old Jungle Saying: "If a man uses enough force, he can break his finger off inside his own *ssh*l*")
