OP
@lv2sct avatar
UTC

Hooked
2008 mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 103
Location: Montana
 
Hooked
@lv2sct avatar
2008 mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 103
Location: Montana
UTC quote
I've read the thread about how to get this stubborn little door to open more easily. Now I'm having the opposite problem; how do I get it to stay shut?

Right after I got my 500 back from being serviced, the gas door started popping open while I'm riding ( REALLY startled me the first time). I examined it with my inexpert eyes, and the catch seems to be loose--if I push it forward, it stays, and vice versa.

Is it possible that there should be a spring holding that catch forward, and it has fallen out?

Anyone know of a quick and easy fix for my problem? (Fay or Rjeffb?)

Thanks!
@rjeffb avatar
UTC

Bracketmeister
Bracketmeister Emeritus (retired)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2519
Location: New Jersey
 
Bracketmeister
@rjeffb avatar
Bracketmeister Emeritus (retired)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2519
Location: New Jersey
UTC quote
I had this problem when I (temporarilly and unintentionally) had to disable the whole release mechanism (I couldn't put gas into my scooter!) pending a shop visit. I crammed some velcro around the edges. Wrap one short piece around the side of the lid itself, from top around to bottom; and the mating piece along the outside edge to the cutaway. Only about 1/8" of velcro will actually engage, but that was enough.

NOT RECOMMENDING THIS, but you could always simply remove/disable the spring that pops the door open. Then gravity would hold it down. Might rattle, though.


Somebody else laid velcro across the top, that should work too. I recall I also tried using a magnet but on the /500 there was nowhere to mount a magnet that was conveneiently close to the lid to attract a piece of metal.

Has it occurred to anybody else that the gas lid is pretty much useless and far more trouble than it's worth?
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22821
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22821
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
the lid keeps kids from opening the cap and maybe stick something in there when parked in a parking lot or somewhere away from home. The old saying " out of sight out of mind "
@rjeffb avatar
UTC

Bracketmeister
Bracketmeister Emeritus (retired)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2519
Location: New Jersey
 
Bracketmeister
@rjeffb avatar
Bracketmeister Emeritus (retired)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2519
Location: New Jersey
UTC quote
old as dirt wrote:
the lid keeps kids from opening the cap and maybe stick something in there when parked in a parking lot or somewhere away from home. The old saying " out of sight out of mind "
Yeah, but it could be a magnet or something simpler than the - let's face it - poorly designed and problem-prone OEM mechanism. It's not like the lid as-is would keep a kid armed with a penknife or even a penny out for more than two seconds.
@ramblerdan avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2009 MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2008
Location: Saratoga, N.Y.
 
Ossessionato
@ramblerdan avatar
2009 MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2008
Location: Saratoga, N.Y.
UTC quote
Lv2sct, examine the catch on the door. When my bike was new, my dealer attempted to fix the classic sticking problem by deforming the catch. Didn't help, of course. If it's bent too far out of shape, the lever will only just barely hold it in place-until you hit a bump.
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