Standard gas cap - no key

[DGXSER]

A bike I have been considering buying, the owner has "misplaced" the key. I know I can get past the ignition switch by opening the headlight and jumping the wires. But how to get into the gas tank for a look to know its condition. Bike has sat for a good 6 months with an empty tank. May be fine, may look like a rusty crusty pit of doom.

I know how to "bypass" the lock on the Specials, but no idea how on a Standard.

[dpotter58]

i was trying to open the tank on a standard for quite a while with no luck. take the key number and get a new key cut.

[Nightengale]

open

i had a special tank that i had gotten off of ebay, and the guy shipped it with the key in the lock...... so needless to say the key was broken when it got to me. i used a dental pick and was able to undo the latch it took a few tries but i got it. just pulled the latch off of the catch. also the tank had two different petcocks, yes they got me. i have since got another tank from one of the members here.

[tom clisham]

+1

i was trying to open the tank on a standard for quite a while with no luck. take the key number and get a new key cut.

I fiddled around for hours trying. no luck. It's a tough cavity to penitrate. Much like some girls i've known.

[natemoen]

A drill bit opens it up right quick!

[DGXSER]

A drill bit opens it up right quick!

If it were mine, I would do that right quick. I can get the lock cylinder easily enough anyway. Since it is not mine....yet...I will not be able to use destructive measures.

Thanks guys, the no easy way is what I thought.

[Rasputin]

Do you have access to any of the keyed parts on the rest of the same bike? The helmet lock or something else that can easily be taken apart and see what the tumblers look like. I have had to destroy the gas cap lock and replace it with the helmet lock innards in order to have a locked gas cap. The helmet lock would still work without the tumblers but would appear locked even though one could open it with any key or screwdriver.

[Jfries]

is it full of fuel or anything?? if not ask if u can remove the petcocks.. even if it is full ask anyways.. least u can see inside and if u dont like it u can put the petcocks back on no harm done.

[Schming]

Sometimes, sales, require an urgent decision to be made either by seller or buyer.
I would lower my offer the cost of a suitable replacement tank.
I beleive it is the sellers duty to show his/her wares.