Gas Cap Repair

[steven m]

The gas cap on my trusty 83 R65 is heading south.  The threaded portion has come loose from the top.  Not detached, but loose and cockeyed.  Is there an easy fix on this or time for a new cap?

Thanks

Steve

[Bob_Roller]

If you don't care about the locking feature, I had a cap go bad, kept 'ratcheting' . finally got it off. but it was in bad shape .

what I did, was to drill into one of the holes in the threaded part near the top of the threads, got a long stainless cotter pin, cut the head off of the cotter pin and then used a hammer to tap the cotter pin into the inner part of the cap .

Locked everything together, no problems for about three years now .

[Air4Life]

In hindsight, I should have done what Bob suggests.  I went the slackers way and screwed from the top.

[Red_Hen]

I used a rivet

[montmil]

I wasn't as clever as you guys. I bought a used cap.  

[steven m]

Monte, used gas caps are in short supply these days.  I called Re-Psycle and even they are out of them.  Go figure.  But, they did give me tip that seems better than drilling through the top of the cap:  Put the cap on a piece of wood and using a punch, dimple the collar in three places to trap/lock the threaded barrel.  I looked at my cap and it might just do the trick for now.

Steve  

[Burt]

I fixed a couple of small bolts fore and aft to stop the spinning but the handle now does not sit fully flush.  A dab of black paint to blend in and no longer lockable.  

Eventually bought a new cap ... ouch!  

[bruce_launceston]

I have posted more than once details and photos of my fix for the 'spinning gas cap' problem. The fix doesn't involve any external rivets, bolts, screws, holes, dimples or paint and permanently solves the problem.

[montmil]

I have posted more than once details and photos of my fix for the 'spinning gas cap' problem. The fix doesn't involve any external rivets, bolts, screws, holes, dimples or paint and permanently solves the problem.

Yes you have, Bruce and often. Many long-time patients here in the asylum remember and appreciate your efforts.

Good news: The forum is attracting many new R65 fans.
Bad news: The "Search" feature doesn't.

I and many others have made repetitious postings and pics, but I don't mind at all helping the new arrivals get off Ellis Island; same as many vets did for me. I just kinda pay it forward and smile when a problem is solved for a newbie.

[smiley=2cents.gif]

[Air4Life]

I would offer my time to slowly catalog all the significant contributions from the knowledgeable members here.  I'm not sure how I'd go about doing that yet, but I'm sure if we kicked it around something halfway reasonable would come of it,  hopefully.

I just tried searching "spinning gas cap" then "gas cap" by "bruce launceston" and was disappointed with the results. The search feature makes me feel stoopaduh than I have a right to feel.  Says me.

[Bob_Roller]

Bruce, why don't you post the procedure in the R65TechnicalFAQ/Procedure section, it won't get buried like it does in a typical thread .

[Air4Life]

Found it: http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1259568952

"fuel cap" vs. Gas Cap.  I was gonna try petro cap as well.  Anguish over English.

[bruce_launceston]

Point taken guys. I have added it to the FAQ section.

Cheers Bruce