Just bought a spare fuel tank ,only thing is it still has the filler cap attached and it is locked and I don't have the key...can anyone tell me the best way to remove it without damaging the tank,i'm not too bothered about destroying the cap....thanks.
Take the fuel pump out of the bottom of the tank - if not out already - and you can reach inside and release the fuel cap by pressing in the latch part. Then you can remove it all as normal.
Thanks but I've already thought of that, the latch isn't accessible from underneath through the pump hole, the latch is in a blanked off cavity, , and I'm beginning to look at the only two options that seem open to me. ..locksmith or drilling the lock out, how difficult is drilling it, has anyone done one?
I've done this on a Zxr 400 but the principle is the same. Drill the lock out. That's it. Then get a flat bladed screwdriver and turn the lock and hey presto. I think there are some you tube videos how to do it. I worried for days before doing this bit in the end it was a simple job.
If you're close to Birmingham I can pop it open for a cuppa tea. I'm a Jack of all trades and Master Locksmith
Ah right, didn't realise they were blanked off! In that case I would be tempted to force the lock, either through picking it or brute force if you don't want/need the lock.
Thanks for the offer mate,i drilled the lock last night before I read your post and anyway I'm 100 miles away in the depths of south Lincolnshire...drilling was a lot less traumatic than I imagined ,started with a 5mm drill at one end of the key slot then did the other end, then used a bigger drill to open it all out,quite a lot of swarf though and I wouldn't fancy doing it to a tank that's mounted on a bike and full of petrol... ... the filler cap is still useable with a screwdriver.
No problems. I'm sure it wouldn't be a surprise to hear that Ducati locks aren't really the best in the business anyway.
On closer inspection of the tanks interior there are spots of rust inside,the rust isn't flaking or excessive, I've flushed the tank a couple of times with white spirit and its coming out clear....should I coat the inside with petseal or just use as is and let the filter do its job?
I've also cleaned rusty tanks and it was a total pig of a job. Much harder than your last job - glad it worked out though. To clean the tank the method I used was gravel and apple cider vinegar. You put the gravel in the tank with the liquid and basically shake it about. You need to do this for at least 30 mins which takes a huge effort. Then flush it out. I initially used water and them super dried the tank. Think i left it for a couple of days. I them flushed it with fuel. That's it. Awful job. The cider will sting - but worth doing.
