Fuel tank keys

Hi guys
im in a bit of a pickle - picked up a lovely 440 Ltd belt drive, brought it home and found that the keys supplied do not fit the fuel tank! Do you know of anyway I can get the tank open without destroying the key lock?
any help would be appreciated 😊
Si

I'm not familiar with your specific model.  I do know that the bikes made before 1981 didn't have an actual lock in the fuel tank.  Anything small and long enough to fit far enough down into the key slot could be used to open the latch.  Of course, most normal keys and screwdrivers would not work.  I guess Kawasaki figured that was good enough. 

Maybe post a picture of your tank cover?  If it does have a real lock cylinder in it, you can try to pick it with a lock pick set.  But the easiest thing would be to bring the tank to a locksmith.  They should be able to open it, and can probably make a key to match.  I've had good luck with locksmiths.

yep, 1981 440 ltd belt here..
your 440 key will work.
There is no lock cylinder inside.
A thin screwdriver would work.

 

This is what your key fits into to turn the latch.

 
 

rectangular fuel cap?  any oem key of the era should work. possibly stuck from rust/grunge. try a penetrant without ruining the paint.  a thin screwdriver may not go deep enough. the shaft is wider than the blade and gets stopped by the opening. a terminal pin extractor tool is flat, so it can be used. there are new aftermarket rectangular fuel caps that use a different key than oem. my Taiwan fuel cap seems to have a keyed lock cylinder and only that key works. another caveat. someone could have installed a KZ fuel cap with a keyed lock cylinder. 700A or 1000P11 for example. assuming they fit. those fuel caps are distinctive around the key cylinder.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the ideas - managed to get the tank open with a thin screwdriver - and now it's greased up so it's not a PITA to unlock again

Thanks all