Topic: help identifying gas cap latch please

[ironbutter]

Hi all... I have a funky cool 70's painted tank that Im gonna run while my K1 tank it being restored. It came with a cap and I want to keep using this cap, but I don't have a way to open it. I know the tank is from either a K5 or K6, I tried all the nut driver tools I have with no luck as the sidewall is a pinch too thick. Anyone recognize this? Thanks much in advance. It looks like this:



Im really enjoying the look of the vintage mural paintjob, I think Ill keep it for awhile...

[Rigid]

Grind a cheap Tiawanese or Australian socket down to fit?

[MCRider]

Skate key?

I can tell you what its not. It's not anything Honda came up with. They provided two latches, the original thumb button type which was used on all 70's era CBs till >78. Then the recall locking latch which wasn't available until after 78 I think, as a retrofit.

"K5 or K6" means nothing as they came stock with the thumb latches.  You have an aftermarket of unknown origin. You'll probably have to grind/cut it off and fit one of the 2 Honda latches so described above.

Rigid's idea was good, grind down a cheap socket.

As an aside, IYDKA, push down on the cap right at the latch to take the spring pressure off the latching part of the latch. Do this before turning that lock or you could break something.

PS: Like the mural!   

[ironbutter]

thanks for the replies rigid and 'rider I was thinking that, thanks for the confirmation, some sorta JC Whitney special, its pretty cheapo, Im gonna dremmel it and put a thumb latch cap on it and be done.

[MCRider]

thanks for the replies rigid and 'rider I was thinking that, thanks for the confirmation, some sorta JC Whitney special, its pretty cheapo, Im gonna dremmel it and put a thumb latch cap on it and be done.

Yeah. I meant to include in my post that the Honda locking latch can be opened with ANY key, and doesn't look anything like yours.

Don't scratch that mural with the Dremel!   

[CycleRanger]

Looks just like the one that came on my K3.

Only I got a key with mine. 
You're right, it's just a thin-wall hex key.
Just one of the many after-market parts made in the 70's.
You can replace it with a more conventionally-keyed lock.
(Of course it could be argued that the hex lock is more secure since any key opens the Honda locks!)

In the meantime, just remove the tank and turn it upside down, remove the petcock and refill!
Easy!

[MCRider]

It does look like a decent lock. But the thought of being stranded for want of a skate key is a deal killer for me.

Your alternate gas fill method is... interesting.

[CycleRanger]

It does look like a decent lock. But the thought of being stranded for want of a skate key is a deal killer for me.

Your alternate gas fill method is... interesting.

Yeah, I only have the one key and I had the same thought.
If I could somehow find another key I'd keep it. 
I'll bet a locksmith might have a barrel key that would fit.
Hmm, perhaps a little Googling is in order.

"Your alternate gas fill method is... interesting."  - Heh, yeah, I like to think ....creatively.

[ironbutter]

Nice... I hoped someone might have one. Well you already answered my question about having a second set to sell. Ok, so I can tell you what doesn't work, several things from harbor freight with the precision screwdriver kit and 5mm hex being closest, all my small metric nut drivers are either too big or small. My local big old locksmith had nothing to offer. So, yeah lemme know what ya find googling and Ill do the same Cycleranger.... In the meantime any chance you could gauge the size of the hex on that key?

[CycleRanger]

See if you can find a stiff piece of plastic tube, like a pen, that will slip over the hex part and fit tightly.
It doesn't require much pressure to turn.

[MoMo]

I had the same lock on a 750 I just traded away.  Here is one on Ebay  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-Line-NOS-Vintage-Honda-Gas-Cap-Lock-Latch-CB-CL-SL-/160637057769?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2566b6fae9     It is a well made, sturdy system...Larry

[CycleRanger]

Huh, your ebay search skillz are strong!

It says he has more than 10 available. 
Maybe I'll drop him a line and see if he has any extra keys or know who made these locks.

[scottly]

CycleRanger, have you measured the size of the hex yet? What about the OD of the key?

[CycleRanger]

CycleRanger, have you measured the size of the hex yet? What about the OD of the key?

OD is ~7mm.  ID is ~4.75mm or so. I can't get my caliper in to measure the hex head in the lock.

I sent that ebay seller a message about keys for those latches.
We'll see what he says.

Oh, he already replied!  Says he'll send me two keys for $10 shipped.  Fair enough.

Ironbutter, I'll send you a key for the price of shipping if you'd like.
Lemme know if you're interested.

[scottly]

Sounds like a 3/16" nut driver or socket might work after being thinned down.

[ironbutter]

wow... nice... I love this place, Ill split his price with you cycleranger? PM on its way.

[CycleRanger]

wow... nice... I love this place, Ill split his price with you cycleranger? PM on its way.

Done!  I'll order them now.

Yeah, this forum is truly an indispensable resource that's for sure!

[ironbutter]

Cycleranger PM sent.

[MoMo]

Huh, your ebay search skillz are strong!

It says he has more than 10 available. 
Maybe I'll drop him a line and see if he has any extra keys or know who made these locks.

CR, used honda gas cap latch or something similar, didn't take more than a couple minutes. The latch really is well made and sturdy, highly recommend it if it is the same one I had, which it'd be hard to imagine two companies making the same latch...Larry

[CycleRanger]

Huh, your ebay search skillz are strong!

It says he has more than 10 available. 
Maybe I'll drop him a line and see if he has any extra keys or know who made these locks.

CR, used honda gas cap latch or something similar, didn't take more than a couple minutes. The latch really is well made and sturdy, highly recommend it if it is the same one I had, which it'd be hard to imagine two companies making the same latch...Larry

Yeah, it is a good lock. 
Hmm, I could buy another for my K5 from that guy for $29 and then sell the original stock thumb latch for ~$50 and make a profit! 
Hmmm...

[crazypj]

thanks for the replies rigid and 'rider I was thinking that, thanks for the confirmation, some sorta JC Whitney special, its pretty cheapo, Im gonna dremmel it and put a thumb latch cap on it and be done.

 Where are you finding thumb latch catches?
I positively hate the 'locking' ones

[MCRider]

thanks for the replies rigid and 'rider I was thinking that, thanks for the confirmation, some sorta JC Whitney special, its pretty cheapo, Im gonna dremmel it and put a thumb latch cap on it and be done.

 Where are you finding thumb latch catches?
I positively hate the 'locking' ones

The thumb latch catches are no longer available from Honda. Their locking latch is, and it is a safety replacement, as the thumblatches would pop open in an accident. I don't care and prefer the thumblatch.

You can find them used on eBay but they are usually pitted and otherwise bad shape, and often go for north of $30. They are like the Unicorn triple tree in that respect.

Yamiya has replacements for hard core restorers for about $120.

But the real find is that Joker has them in billet for reasonable money!

http://www.jokermachine.com/itemcafe2004.asp?ItemID=795&CategoryID=85&Placeholder=

[MCRider]

Speak of the Devil!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-Line-NOS-Vintage-Honda-Gas-Cap-Lock-Latch-CB-CL-SL-/160637057769?hash=item2566b6fae9&item=160637057769&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Oops, I see someone already found this. My bad.

[CycleRanger]

But the real find is that Joker has them in billet for reasonable money!
http://www.jokermachine.com/itemcafe2004.asp?ItemID=795&CategoryID=85&Placeholder=

Good link that!  Finally Joker makes something I would consider buying. 

[ironbutter]

nice.... that may be the route I go in the long run. I had the thumb latch in my CB500 and it was nice... need new seal too.