how to get petrol tank open without a key ?

[grandwarrior]

I have a Yamaha SR250 im trying to bring back to life. I have the ignition key but no petrol tank key.
Any ideas on how to open the tank without damaging the tank itself ?
Or is the best bet just go to a locksmith of some sort ?
I have not tried the screwdriver and hammer method yet.
Thanks

[Barfridge]

Are there allen headed bolts around the tank? If so, sometimes you can undo those and then lift the whole lock out.

Otherwise you might need a locksmith to make a new key to suit the lock. Or it could be cheaper to go to the wreckers and buy a matching set.

[Brendonv]

Dont attack it with a screwdriver and hammer please.

[BlaznGSXR]

Maybe the locksmith can re-key the lock so that it suits the ignition key?

[CBT]

I would try some WD40 in the fuel tank lock and leave it for a few days then give a try with the ignition key. You might find that it has simply jammed up.

It worked for me on my project bike.....so you might be lucky too.

[rharris]

Take the tank to a locksmith if your ignition key go into the tank lock get them to rekey it to suit , a fair price will be around $50

[Dog Loaf]

i think you might be able to grind or oxy the cap off..............

[Pinkee]

hahaha. oxy the cap off a FUEL tank?!? BOOM ftw!

most locks clip down to the lip of the tank itself. so the allen bolts wont help (they are just there to support the hinge). like the others said. locksmith would be your best bet.

[agrid]

Seems unlikely that the ignition and tank would have different keys without the previous owner letting you know, I'd keep lubricating and fiddling ... er and stay away from anything that has flame or sparks.

[House]

BOOM

Funnily enough a punctured fuel tank won't explode if it still has fuel in it, too much petrol vapour and not enough oxygen inside (yes, movies lie). Obviously can still catch fire at any openings though.

An empty fuel tank with a bit of vapour still in it on the other hand...

If you ever do need to cut something that has previously had fuel in it, remember to fill it with water beforehand. It's most dangerous when empty.

[Pinkee]

If you ever do need to cut something that has previously had fuel in it, remember to fill it with water beforehand. It's most dangerous when empty.

or carbon monoxide... welded up a tank once... used a vaccuum hose from a running car exhaust straight into the tank...

[g0zer]

What if you remove the fuel tap assembly? Can you manipulate the catch from the inside of the tank to pop it open?

[House]

Exhaust is almost entirely the dioxide, thankfully. Carbon monoxide is rather flammable.

[/science sperging]

Having a constant stream of a non flammable gas into the tank is a good idea though.

Also, back on more sensible topics, g0zer has a good suggestion there.

[Krusty1]

Let me know how it goes coz I got the same problem.

I've got an old POS project that I ain't gonna look at for a while but.

Ignition & tank aren't keyed the same. No tank key

[D.J]

Yamaha? 4 digit number on lock? these guys may be your friends

YH5R Key Blank | YAMAHA | Motorbike | Vehicle Keys | www.keytrader.co.uk

Let me know your number I may have the one here.

[Pinkee]

Exhaust is almost entirely the dioxide, thankfully. Carbon monoxide is rather flammable.

haha whoops. my bad, meant to say dioxide... had monoxide on the brain for some reason.

[bigmak]

oxy torch or grinder. MUST have fuel in tank for this to work properly

[BikeRider]

Dont attack it with a screwdriver and hammer please.

The hammer and screwdriver worked fine on the old Katana. It was already partially damaged by some Arsewipe when it was parked at the Entertainment Centre many years back so no loss, the question is, do you want to keep the cap or can you replace it?