Hey guys, I bought a firestorm a few months back which needed some work (well pretty much just putting it back together) and have pretty much finished. I thought I better drain the tank and fill up with fresh petrol, damn it, the tank won't open. Now I'm not sure wether it is a different tank hence the key not fitting (I have two keys with the bike a long one and a shorter one, niether fit). How would you got about opening it?

Joe

 

worst case remove the whole cap unit with a allen wrench.

But you really want a key that works eventually. By not fitting, what do you mean? Doesn't turn or literally won't fit at all? Might it just need some WD40 or the like to free it up?

 

I tried taking the whole cap off but you need to undo it to get it off (bugger). The shorter key fits in there perfect, it just won't turn it, I'm going to squirt some WD40 down there and hope for the best.

Cheers, Joe

 

Also try turning the key around.. I know they are supposed to be symmetrical, but I have two keys for my bike and one of mine will only open the gas tank when put in a certain way around.

 

You will need a locksmith if you can't get the key to work.

 

Mine will not open the cap until you press down hard on top of the cap with one hand while turning the key with the other.

 

I second that. If that doesn't work...like Greg said...locksmith. Or a drill and get a non locking Vortex cap, but then there's all the shavings...

 

Once a locksmith opens it, you can remove the assembly by unscrewing the 3socket head cap screws and take apart the cap (under the gasket is a snap ring type deal and washer and the lock mech slides out) and gut the tumblers so anything that fits in the lock will open the cap.

 

If the key looks new and no wear on it ... take it and rub the edges down a tad ( smooth it up a little ) on a wire wheel or similar buffing device.
New or recently made keys have edges on them a lot of the time that hang up on the tumbler.

 

I'm starting to think that it's not the original tank tbh. The smaller key opens the seat latch fine and the longer key operates the ignition fine but niether will open the tank. I managed to open it with the hook bit on a pair of nail clippers though!


The thing is it opened real easy and within a few seconds with it too! Put petrol in, shut it, I'll be buggered if I can open it again! Damn it, haha

Joe

 

Well...there's your new key!

 

Something is bodgy if you have a short and a long key. One key should do all three functions.

 

hmmm, that is odd, I thought it was normal as I have two for my Hawk GT (well Bros). I hope I can get the bugger open, I'll nick the one off the Bros whilst it waits for its new (840cc) engine...

Thanks guys.

Joe