Help! , lost gas tank key, what to do???

[Guest]

Went in from shop bout midnight last night, some friends dropped by,played pool,drank,and told lies till bout 1130.
I had left my gs outside for some reason, when closing shop, I decided to leave outside(first time since I've owned it), and this ,morning no keys!
Had some alcohol in me and don't remember getting them out of bike, but I'm meticulous with ,my keys, always leave them in 1 spot or my pants, or in machine.
Anyway, I've found a spare ignition key,but no gas tank key? Can I Jimmy it, or too much damage?
Do I drain and remove tank and take to locksmith?
Or are replacement caps with key locks still available?
81 gs750 square chrome cap that pops straight up with key!
HELP????

[chuck hahn]

Look at the face of the seat latch and see if there are 3 digits stamped in by the key slot. If so that the key code. Take that and the year and model of the bike to a locksmith and have a key cut. Then in about 3 hrs after you do that you will find the other key and have a spare.

[chuck hahn]

May even be the 3 digits by the gas cap slot as well.

[Big T]

Chuck, since he has an ignition key and a gas cap key, the key code may not match his gas cap. Should be one key for all 3 locks
I hope your gas cap has a key code.
Then, get all of your locks keyed alike

[chuck hahn]

He doesnt have a gas cap key. He said he found a spare ignition key...BUT he didnt state if the ignition also unlocked the seat. So the next obvious thing is what does the ignition key actually open?? Was the missing key for both the cap and seat?? was the ignition just for the ignition?? Guess the answer will determine what to look at.

81.....what all does the spare key open???

[81gs7501166]

OK, I had 3 keys,ea only worked 1 item. The ignition was an aftermarket. Tank cap, and helmet holder off 2 different bikes, so 3 keys, and no spare for the tank.
Found new unit for 20$ but in the mean time can I butcher mine with a screwdriver to open it?
Or how do I get it off for the new one?

[hillsy]

You can force a screwdriver in and butcher it off, but you might be better off tanking the tank to a locksmith to have them undo it. There is a chance you can damage the tank the other way.

[chuck hahn]

I can pick them and remove the cylinders without damaging the caps..but it would take a week to explain it to you and have it done. You can call me if you want. I will PM you my number.

[81gs7501166]

Excuse me officer, cancel that 911 call!

Well after Google lessons on different ways to get the cap off, their were several,drill it out, pry it out,force open with screwdriver after taping with hammer were the top 3, I decided to try the screwdriver method.
I mask taped top of tank, cut a hole in a rag and taped over gas cap, and found 5 different size screwdrivers, 3 different hammers and a flashlight and magnifying glass all laid out and ready for surgery.
It was bout 10 last night, wife, 7year old son and I just got home from DQ, when I decided I couldn't sleep till I got this thing open.
I was in shop getting ready to start when wife walks out and says let's look 1 more time, so outside we went, she ask where bike was and I showed her then went back in shop to get my nerve up to start beating on that screwdriver into tank key hole. Bout 5 min later she screamed Lynn stop and come hear, I did and their they were, on ground,4ft from shop door.
Don't know how I missed them, I spent over an hour outside trying to recreate my steps when closing shop night before.
I'll blame it on the alcohol, no wait, old age, no wait I'll actually blame her,(lol) I really thanked her and swear never to leave my bike outside again.
And this week I'm cutting spare keys to both bikes, my honda also has 3 keys, ign,seat,gas door.
Thanks for the Help!
Now rain in for cast next 4 days, East TN, it's been dry for 8 12 weeks,so we need it and I'm trying not to batch!
What to do to keep busy, might be time to adjust valves, and re sync carbs.

[chuck hahn]

Zip tie one to the frame under a side cover or something thats easily removed to get at the spare. I have bought bikes and removed a side cover and there was a key. Didnt have one when i bought it but under that cover someone had stashed one away.

EDIT...I would also invest into getting those bikes all keyed to just one key and writing down the key codes when the locksmith does them.

[Steve]

Three different keys? That would not last long around here.

Actually, I have to admit that I have three keys for my bike, but there is a difference. One key works all of the 850 stuff; the ignition, seat and gas cap. A second key works all the GK stuff: trunk and saddlebags (total of 7 locks). The third key does the pocket doors on the Pacifico fairing. There is no hope of getting that key to match either of the others, and I'm not sure that it's worth re-keying at least 3 locks to match the other seven, so it's staying as a 3-key system. Yes, I have (and carry) spares.

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