Gas tank latch

[postoak]

Mine has gotten where the cover won't pop up when I turn the key.  I have to pull it open with my finger nails.  I sprayed some WD40 in there but that didn't solve the problem.  Has anyone had there's like this and fixed it?

[Jess from VA]

No.  But have you lubed the keyway? (lock itself)

[blackvalk]

I wouldn't use WD-40 on plastic..........make sure you wipe it off!

[Shrubbo]

I had a similar problem as one of those little rubber things in there to make it spring open was missing and the other didn't seem to be helping the cause. I had some of those triple flange noise isolation buds laying around so I cut them down and hot glued them in as a temp fix. Worked so well I never bothered to fix it. It has been like that for maybe a year now


Something like this...
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Silicone-Triple-Flange-Noise-Cancellation-Earbud-Ear-Buds-Eartips-Black-10pcs-/191599371671?epid=1438388595&hash=item2c9c366597:g:v9oAAOSwH1NZgCHk

[hubcapsc]

Here's how I fixed a similar (the same?) problem: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,85524.0.html

I've never seen any part on any motorcycle I've ever
owned that didn't love being coated in wd-40 

-Mike

[postoak]

Well, I got it working again.

The latch consists of a "male" portion on the swing-up door that has a hole in the side of it.  

The lower mechanism has a hook that moves into the hole in the upper piece.  When you press down on the door to close it, the edge of the male piece presses down on the shank of the plastic hook which causes the hook to rotate around a shaft (which isn't visible).  After the plastic piece has rotated as far as it can go, the hook slides into the hole in the side of the male piece, locking the door shut and the plastic piece is locked into place by a latch which is opened when the key down below is turned.

When you turn the key, some linkage releases the plastic rotating piece pulling the hook out of the hole, and the shank part presses upward, opening the door.

Grime apparently can build up around the shaft and prevent the entire piece from rotating and thus prevent the door from popping open.

Just randomly spraying WD-40 down into the hole isn't good enough.  I took a knife and pressed the plastic piece forward on the shaft (It moved maybe .1 mm.)  I then sprayed WD40 into that small gap and that dissolved the grime that was preventing the piece from rotating under spring pressure.