Different keys?

[bingo808]

Hi
With any purchase 2nd hand, you're bound to run into problems. Now I have found my first real one!

I can't open the fuel tank lock/lid with the ignition key! Did Honda make two keys - one for ignition and the other for fuel cap?

Bike is 1999 VTR1000F. Should I continue to pester with the ignition key, and maybe some graphite powder, or do I go and buy a new fuel cap assembly?

See this listing - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/254163311025

[8541Hawk]

stock they used the same key....ignition,fuel cap and seat relese

[bingo808]

stock they used the same key....ignition,fuel cap and seat relese

Okay, thanks. I just tried to unlock the fuel cap again and no go.

So I took the plunge and bought the ebay lock set. Should arrive next week.

[sirch345]

stock they used the same key....ignition,fuel cap and seat relese

+ 1

It sounds like either the fuel tank or ignition switch has at sometime been replaced. Fingers crossed it's the tank.

Check to see if the ignition key unlocks the seat lock, hopefully it does,

Chris.

**EDIT** I have just looked at your Ebay link. I see you should be covered either way

[MacV2]

Quite common to have mismatched keys...

I've got one that the seat lock had to be changed so two keys for that bike...

You biggest problem is getting the cap off.

It's only held on by 3 bolts the others are just dressing. 9o/c & 5 & 7 o/c are the ones that hold it in... But it wont come off unless the cap is open... The cap latches on the the rim of the tank...You can brute force it off but all that does is dammages the lip then the new one wont catch fully... Best bet is to drill out the old lock or force it by smashing a flat blade in there...

Good luck either way.

[bingo808]

stock they used the same key....ignition,fuel cap and seat relese

+ 1
It sounds like either the fuel tank or ignition switch has at sometime been replaced. Fingers crossed it's the tank.
Check to see if the ignition key unlocks the seat lock, hopefully it does,

Yes, I have managed to get the rear seat unlocked!

[bingo808]

Quite common to have mismatched keys...

I've got one that the seat lock had to be changed so two keys for that bike...

You biggest problem is getting the cap off.

It's only held on by 3 bolts the others are just dressing. 9o/c & 5 & 7 o/c are the ones that hold it in... But it wont come off unless the cap is open... The cap latches on the the rim of the tank...You can brute force it off but all that does is dammages the lip then the new one wont catch fully... Best bet is to drill out the old lock or force it by smashing a flat blade in there...

Good luck either way.

Thanks for the heads up. If I drill out the old lock, am I risking getting metal bits in the tank? I think I might try bashing it open first with a flat blade screwdriver.

[tony.mon]

No, that method only works when stealing fireblades.
Although a livewire key apparently starts any motorcycle with no discernible engine performance, i.e. any Harley Davidson.

[bingo808]

No, that method only works when stealing fireblades.
Although a livewire key apparently starts any motorcycle with no discernible engine performance, i.e. any Harley Davidson.

So that's where I'm going wrong.

How does the HD torque wrench work again? Tighten til it goes loose then back off 1/2 a turn...

[bingo808]

I'm having real troubles with this lock. Tried the original keys again - no go

Tried the flathead screwdriver trick - no go. How far does it have to go in? The centre part of the lock doesn't turn.

Also tried drilling it out - testing my new air tools and compressor. I can drill with a 5mm bit but how deep do I go? I'm scared of the fuel underneath.
Maybe drain the tank first? (Bigger bits gets stuck so starting small.)

[tony.mon]

Now that you're commited to a destructive method just drill straight through. Drill little and often, allowing the bit to cool.
You'll need to drain out the fuel anyway, to invert the tank and remove any swarf that has dropped in.
But there will still be fuel vapour, hence cooling the bit.
An air tool is ideal, no sparks.

[sirch345]

Probably a silly question and a bit late now I know. Couldn't you have asked the previous owner if they had a key for the fuel tank

Chris.

[bingo808]

Probably a silly question and a bit late now I know. Couldn't you have asked the previous owner if they had a key for the fuel tank

Chris.

Good point. But I tend to think that my problem was half the reason why he was trying to sell it!

I assumed (which makes an ASS of U and ME) that the locks would match.

Oh well. You live, you learn.

[MacV2]

Probably a silly question and a bit late now I know. Couldn't you have asked the previous owner if they had a key for the fuel tank

Chris.

Good point. But I tend to think that my problem was half the reason why he was trying to sell it!

I assumed (which makes an ASS of U and ME) that the locks would match.

Oh well. You live, you learn.

Another it's a bit late post...but I would have wanted to look in the tank before buying to check for rust & how much fule was in it if I was riding it home...

Still you live & learn...You'll never do that again...I hope...

[bingo808]

Probably a silly question and a bit late now I know. Couldn't you have asked the previous owner if they had a key for the fuel tank

Chris.

Good point. But I tend to think that my problem was half the reason why he was trying to sell it!

I assumed (which makes an ASS of U and ME) that the locks would match.

Oh well. You live, you learn.

Another it's a bit late post...but I would have wanted to look in the tank before buying to check for rust & how much fule was in it if I was riding it home...

Still you live & learn...You'll never do that again...I hope...

All good. The bike was towed home as no registration. Bit of impulse buy I'll admit.

I paid AUD$1700 for it (around 900 pounds) so it's nothing spectacular.