Gas Cap wont open.

I have a 1993 KZ 1000 Police model.I took my gas cap off to paint my tank and while i had it off i sprayed some wd -40 into it. soaked it good while the paint dried. I test the mechanism to see how the oil was doing and it worked fine. Fast forward a week and without checking it again i screwed it back onto the tank and shut the lid. Now i cannot get it to open. The cap also wont shut tight and the key moves back and forth fine. Anyone no what this is or how i can get the cap off now to look at it? Is the rod that the cap hinges on removable? Thanks for any help you can give.

The "rod" you mentioned is a "split pin".It is removable...Using a small drift/piece of heavy wire and a hammer, tap GENTLY from both sides...You should see/feel easier movement to one side -vs- the other...this is the direction you should drive the pin. Lotsa little taps instead of bigguns...You don't want to bend the little flanges on the tank. Hopefully, after pin removal, you will be able to wiggle the cap's catch loose from the tank.

If you can find a wire coat hanger, the small punch made from a piece, is just the right size to drive out the hinge pin on the gas cap. I'd think, a short section about 2" will do.

Popping the Pet Cock and the sending unit off. You might be able to work from the bottom, inside with a long hook tool. Pry the latch back, which would move with the Key mechanism. You should be able to see in there with a light, and get the latch to move back.

Thanks everyone i was able to easily knock the hinge pin out. Then when i rotated the cap all the way around i was able to pull it right up. As i said i thought i tested it after i put it back together that was either a complete lie or i have the meanest poltergeist ever. The cap had an internal piece upside down but all is well now thanks for the help.