PNW Riders

XxNuTsxX · 08-18-2009, 10:07 AM

How's it goin everyone, been a LONG time since I posted (forgot my password and laziness just took over from there

), but I need help.

So my bike was sitting for about three weeks due to a flat tire and lack of funds to replace it, and I'd go out to start it every now and then, but I never opened the fuel tank..

I got the new tire, and the other day when I went to fill up (as it was empty), I was unable to get my lock to open on my gas tank. I tried applying a lot of pressure, tried using the spare key, nothing. There was white oxidation around the key hole, but I didn't think TOO much of it since it had been there awhile and my roommates ZZR has the same thing and it doesn't cause any problems.

So I took it home, tried using lock-ease, no luck. Tried using WD40, no luck. I then thought maybe there was a small something placed into the key hole, so I tried using needles, pins and tweezers, no luck.

Does anyone have any idea what problem I could be having, or how to fix it?? It's a 2007 Ninja 650r by the way...

Anything helps..

Thanks guys/gals

-Nuts

pjd · 08-18-2009, 10:13 AM

Try pressing down on the cap and turning the key...I notice on my Z1000 that sometimes I have to do that to get the key to turn.

XxNuTsxX · 08-18-2009, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by pjd

Try pressing down on the cap and turning the key...I notice on my Z1000 that sometimes I have to do that to get the key to turn.

Ya I've tried this too, that used to happen a lot too before this all started going down. I figured that maybe it was just a little stuck after not being opened for awhile but after I bent a key I realized it was being a bit more then stubborn

SatansPetFerret · 08-18-2009, 10:31 AM

Try posting in Mechanical/Technical instead of Classifieds.

Oh, and what you're looking for is Graphite Powder.

vagrant · 11-05-2009, 07:19 PM

Bumping this thread. Where does one find graphite powder?

Barely managed to get home tonight cause my tank lock is seized. Nearly snapped my key off in it and I can't find my spare.......

mustang1 · 11-05-2009, 07:23 PM

super glue leave a white haze. try fingernail polish remover. if it works you need to kick someones ass.

mustang1 · 11-05-2009, 07:24 PM

graphite powder= auto parts store , walmart, locksmith shop. pretty common.

vagrant · 11-05-2009, 07:42 PM

thanks. no one was fucking with me luckily. fixed with a good "key fucking" after several soaks with wd. gonna pickup some graphite powder/lube for a longer term fix. I think its the rain. I actually ride my bike in the rain (crazy I know).

coastiepete · 11-05-2009, 07:54 PM

had same shit happen on old R6. WD-40 is weak sauce. PB Blaster FTW. WAAAAAAY stronger. Want proof? get some styrofoam cups. spray a little bit of your favorite penetrating oil in each. the strongest eats the styrofoam fastest. Betcha the PB Blaster wins

Anyways, once you get some PB blaster and free it up, maintain it with a good quality lithium grease. the kind that comes in aerosol, not tube. spray it in there every once in a while, and you will be all good!

FZ6Rider · 11-05-2009, 08:05 PM

Good screw driver and a hammer will open anything.
Wana bet? LOL

I bough a tank without a key and needed to change for matching locks - screw driver and a good twist.

Outofsync · 11-05-2009, 08:08 PM

Why is this in Classifieds?

coastiepete · 11-05-2009, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Outofsync

Why is this in Classifieds?

To make you mad...........

Outofsync · 11-05-2009, 08:22 PM

Lol, it didn't work... It confuselated me though..

coastiepete · 11-05-2009, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Outofsync

Lol, it didn't work... It confuselated me though..

Lol. Your edumacation dazzles me

Gusgus · 11-05-2009, 09:49 PM

I was a locksmith for years.
Graphite is not going to help you.
The reason graphite is a good lock lube is it doesn't attract dust or dirt.

It won't do anything for your non-functional lock.

The oxidation you see (if no foul play is suspected) is eating the "wafers" in the lock. Force will just make it worse.

The quickest possible fix would be try rocking the key in the slot while trying to turn it. Rocking with no turning force then try to turn it, rock a little further and try to turn it again, continue this method and see if you can find the place it will open. Go both directions many times. Sometimes pulling the key out a smidge and attempting to turn it works well. Experiment before damaging it further.

Any lube like WD-40 will work best for getting it to open. graphite is not good for your injection system, carbs or pistons. Avoid this until you have a good working lock and then use sparingly, if at all.

The rock method works often for the trouble you describe, unless the corrosion consumed a spring or 2 in the lock. Then as the one guy suggested a screwdriver and hammer might be the only way in.

But my second direction (before the screwdriver) would be a locksmith and have him open it.
It won't be cheap, but he can open, replace and key it as it was, if the rock method hasn't allowed you to open it.

Good luck.

Outofsync · 11-05-2009, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by coastiepete

Lol. Your edumacation dazzles me

vagrant · 11-06-2009, 08:23 AM

Thanks Gusgus, I'll remember this NEXT TIME, cause I already FIXED IT.

james1300 · 11-06-2009, 08:51 AM

Now would be a good time for everyone to lube ALL their locks on their bikes.

I've even started to put a piece of tape over each lock, and plastic bags over the switch's when I wash a bike.
(This procedure is recommended in my Daytona's owners manual).


08-18-2009, 10:07 AM	#1
XxNuTsxX Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2007 From: Bellingham, WA I Ride: many women at once.	Lock stuck on gas tank of Ninja 650r How's it goin everyone, been a LONG time since I posted (forgot my password and laziness just took over from there ), but I need help. So my bike was sitting for about three weeks due to a flat tire and lack of funds to replace it, and I'd go out to start it every now and then, but I never opened the fuel tank.. I got the new tire, and the other day when I went to fill up (as it was empty), I was unable to get my lock to open on my gas tank. I tried applying a lot of pressure, tried using the spare key, nothing. There was white oxidation around the key hole, but I didn't think TOO much of it since it had been there awhile and my roommates ZZR has the same thing and it doesn't cause any problems. So I took it home, tried using lock-ease, no luck. Tried using WD40, no luck. I then thought maybe there was a small something placed into the key hole, so I tried using needles, pins and tweezers, no luck. Does anyone have any idea what problem I could be having, or how to fix it?? It's a 2007 Ninja 650r by the way... Anything helps.. Thanks guys/gals -Nuts __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-18-2009, 10:13 AM	#2
pjd MotoGP Contender Joined: May 2007 From: Milton, WA I Ride: Kawasaki Z1000	Try pressing down on the cap and turning the key...I notice on my Z1000 that sometimes I have to do that to get the key to turn. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-18-2009, 10:31 AM	#4
SatansPetFerret Superbiker Joined: Mar 2007 From: Oly Blog Entries: 3 I Ride: 83 Nighthawk CB550 SC	Try posting in Mechanical/Technical instead of Classifieds. Oh, and what you're looking for is Graphite Powder. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


11-05-2009, 07:19 PM	#5
vagrant Superbiker Joined: Mar 2008 From: Seattle, WA	Bumping this thread. Where does one find graphite powder? Barely managed to get home tonight cause my tank lock is seized. Nearly snapped my key off in it and I can't find my spare....... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


11-05-2009, 07:23 PM	#6
mustang1 WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Jun 2008 From: olympia washington I Ride: hayabusa	super glue leave a white haze. try fingernail polish remover. if it works you need to kick someones ass. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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11-05-2009, 07:24 PM	#7
mustang1 WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Jun 2008 From: olympia washington I Ride: hayabusa	graphite powder= auto parts store , walmart, locksmith shop. pretty common. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


11-05-2009, 07:42 PM	#8
vagrant Superbiker Joined: Mar 2008 From: Seattle, WA	thanks. no one was fucking with me luckily. fixed with a good "key fucking" after several soaks with wd. gonna pickup some graphite powder/lube for a longer term fix. I think its the rain. I actually ride my bike in the rain (crazy I know). __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


11-05-2009, 07:54 PM	#9
coastiepete Superbiker Joined: Apr 2007 From: Port Angeles WA I Ride: 2007 ZX-10R SE, 2005 450 EXC, 1980 GS750 Cafe Project	had same shit happen on old R6. WD-40 is weak sauce. PB Blaster FTW. WAAAAAAY stronger. Want proof? get some styrofoam cups. spray a little bit of your favorite penetrating oil in each. the strongest eats the styrofoam fastest. Betcha the PB Blaster wins Anyways, once you get some PB blaster and free it up, maintain it with a good quality lithium grease. the kind that comes in aerosol, not tube. spray it in there every once in a while, and you will be all good! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


11-05-2009, 08:05 PM	#10
FZ6Rider Streetfighter Joined: Aug 2008 From: Woodburn, OR I Ride: wrecked bikes!	Good screw driver and a hammer will open anything. Wana bet? LOL I bough a tank without a key and needed to change for matching locks - screw driver and a good twist. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


11-05-2009, 08:08 PM	#11
Outofsync MotoGP Champion Joined: Apr 2006 From: Eeeveruutt I Ride: the bike that I am allowed to ride.. I dont own one... <-----Fail	Why is this in Classifieds? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


11-05-2009, 08:22 PM	#13
Outofsync MotoGP Champion Joined: Apr 2006 From: Eeeveruutt I Ride: the bike that I am allowed to ride.. I dont own one... <-----Fail	Lol, it didn't work... It confuselated me though.. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


11-05-2009, 09:49 PM	#15
Gusgus MotoGP Champion Joined: Dec 2008 From: VanHooter, Wa Blog Entries: 2 I Ride: Valkyrie/R1150GS Adventure	I was a locksmith for years. Graphite is not going to help you. The reason graphite is a good lock lube is it doesn't attract dust or dirt. It won't do anything for your non-functional lock. The oxidation you see (if no foul play is suspected) is eating the "wafers" in the lock. Force will just make it worse. The quickest possible fix would be try rocking the key in the slot while trying to turn it. Rocking with no turning force then try to turn it, rock a little further and try to turn it again, continue this method and see if you can find the place it will open. Go both directions many times. Sometimes pulling the key out a smidge and attempting to turn it works well. Experiment before damaging it further. Any lube like WD-40 will work best for getting it to open. graphite is not good for your injection system, carbs or pistons. Avoid this until you have a good working lock and then use sparingly, if at all. The rock method works often for the trouble you describe, unless the corrosion consumed a spring or 2 in the lock. Then as the one guy suggested a screwdriver and hammer might be the only way in. But my second direction (before the screwdriver) would be a locksmith and have him open it. It won't be cheap, but he can open, replace and key it as it was, if the rock method hasn't allowed you to open it. Good luck. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


11-06-2009, 08:23 AM	#17
vagrant Superbiker Joined: Mar 2008 From: Seattle, WA	Thanks Gusgus, I'll remember this NEXT TIME, cause I already FIXED IT. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


11-06-2009, 08:51 AM	#18
james1300 Track School Dazed Joined: Oct 2005 From: CENTRAL I Ride: When I can	Now would be a good time for everyone to lube ALL their locks on their bikes. I've even started to put a piece of tape over each lock, and plastic bags over the switch's when I wash a bike. (This procedure is recommended in my Daytona's owners manual). __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by james1300; 11-06-2009 at 08:53 AM..

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