Gas cap gasket & stiff key!

Is there anyplace to get the rubber gasket that seals the gas cap down on the tank? Mine is rather cracked and dry.

Also, what should I lube the key hole with? I've tried WD40, but that didn't last very long, and I seem to get alot of corrosion on underside of the cap, causing the key to turn very stiffly.

 

WD40 doesn't last, can attrack dirt, and over time may contribute to gumming up a lock.
Try some lube with a tephlon residule, or some graphite.
Lock ease is a product that is available in a spray (graphite in alcohol or some kind of liquid carrier).

 

its still available through yamaha, i just got one for my 81 xj650, i think that its listed NA for the 81 but the 82 or 83 is the same part i think it ran me about $14 after tax. i should note, im not sure if my parts guy ordered the wrong gasket, but i was unable to get the cap to fully latch with the new gasket, a little dremeling and it worked like a charm though

Id try cleaning up the rust with some steel wool and then use a penetrating oil like ams oil or pb blaster

 

I found this powdered graphite stuff in a tube with a real narrow applicator end at the key making area at Home Depot. Really greased it up good!

 

Key tumblers don't like oil or WD. It tends to gum up the works. Use (if you must, it should not need lube) a dry powdered type graphite which will allow the shavings of metal (yes, your keys do get eaten after a while) to slip out of the tumbler housing, preventing jamming. LPS has a good lube for this and is recommended by both my local locksmiths.

 

crc makes a good cheap spray and it has an aplicator tube with it.you can get it anywhere its used( a lot but its not only for that aplication) for lubing micrometers and gages of all sorts. works great on locks.and its only like 5 bucks a can

 

I just took mine totally apart this past weekend, rusted bigtime. I buffed out all the rust and cleaned the springs and latches and added some lock graphite in the key slot and ran the key in and out a few then turned it a bunch, works great now

 

Good job Rich, you took the long road but your lock will thank you in long term reliability.

 

i did mine rich to the other day after reading this lol and when i took it apart it looked like it was made last week ilmao oh well it got lubed up pretty good though anyways lol


cya