Why do bikes have locking petrol tanks?
Discussion
I just managed to break the key off in the petrol tank lid whilst attempting to fill up.
Luckily I was close to home & had a spare to hand.
Got me thinking: surely nobody's going to bother nicking a couple of gallons out of a bike? Why not save a couple of ££ by not having this feature in the first place & therefore saving some of us a ball ache......
Luckily I was close to home & had a spare to hand.
Got me thinking: surely nobody's going to bother nicking a couple of gallons out of a bike? Why not save a couple of ££ by not having this feature in the first place & therefore saving some of us a ball ache......
CoolHands said:
I always find they nick the whole bike, so I agree a locking cap isn’t doing much!
Which is pretty much my thinking...Anyway, KTM690SMC. Key made of cheese/monkey metal. Plastic rear fuel tank with ridiculously stiff plastic concentric opening mechanism. Stupid design. They could have at least used a traditional circular motion device.
At least I have a spare & the official key code. I'm guessing replacement keys are not going to be cheap....
Triaguar said:
I think legislation states ALL petrol caps must have a lock. Safety rather than security I think.
No such legislation at all. The overwhelming majority of cruisers do not have fuel cap locks. Never had any issues with people syphoning off fuel, putting stuff in the tank, or otherwise having an issue with not having a lockable cap.
Biker 1 said:
CoolHands said:
I always find they nick the whole bike, so I agree a locking cap isn’t doing much!
Which is pretty much my thinking...Anyway, KTM690SMC. Key made of cheese/monkey metal. Plastic rear fuel tank with ridiculously stiff plastic concentric opening mechanism. Stupid design. They could have at least used a traditional circular motion device.
At least I have a spare & the official key code. I'm guessing replacement keys are not going to be cheap....

I just removed the cap & cleaned the crap out of everything, including copious quantities of silicone cleaner. Action seems smoother, but I'm sceptical it'll last. Man maths suggests according to milage, the cap was opened/closed around 70 times. My immersion heater switch at home is rated at 50,000 cycles. How hard can it be?
I looked at an aftermarket keyless cap, but it looks a bit Chinese tat/gash: https://www.amazon.co.uk/NICECNC-Filler-Compatible...
Any better cheap alternatives?
I looked at an aftermarket keyless cap, but it looks a bit Chinese tat/gash: https://www.amazon.co.uk/NICECNC-Filler-Compatible...
Any better cheap alternatives?
Aluminium one for 40 quid off aliexpress might be ok
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002237714527.h...
Edit just realised the the same, just cheaper.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002237714527.h...
Edit just realised the the same, just cheaper.
Biker 1 said:
Looks a bit bling cheapo aftermarket. I just want an unbranded plastic replacement.
Or maybe just order several spare keys & keep an extra about my person whilst riding...
This is what I have on my ZZR1400. Or maybe just order several spare keys & keep an extra about my person whilst riding...
https://www.roadraceperformanceshropshire.com/prod...
Rick448 said:
Looks reassuringly expensive!!Nice - I'll look into whether they do a KTM fitment...
Edit: doesn't look like they do a compatible part.
Biker 1 said:
Rick448 said:
Looks reassuringly expensive!!Nice - I'll look into whether they do a KTM fitment...
Edit: doesn't look like they do a compatible part.
Anyway, fuel caps for KTM 690SMC's - how far did you look on the Internet for a replacement?
markymarkthree said:
One of the MOT fails last year on my bike, was because the muppet MOT chap couldn't undo my fuel cap.
It was unlocked and requires a simple push down and twist.
My MOT tester tried using the ignition key to open the cap, luckily I was there to tell him he had to use the other key on the keyring - the cap had been replaced before I got the bike.It was unlocked and requires a simple push down and twist.
ntoskrnl said:
If you really want a keyless fuel cap then buy one, they are out there.
A more interesting question is, how'd you manage to snap your key opening it??
no you don't they are the work of the devil or sadistic BMW engineers A more interesting question is, how'd you manage to snap your key opening it??
they always fail to open or close at the busiest times in a petrol station resulting in frustration and cut hands thumping the thing open or closed as the queue gets longer
a simple robust key or no lock at all is all that is required
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