Cannot unlock and open fuel cap on tank

[Skobbejak]

Hi! Perhaps someone can help me out. I have a 2008 GSA 1200. I live in Finland and so the bike is out of action over the winter. I have removed the battery and placed it on a cahrger, but wanted to add some fuel stabilizer to the petrol that is left in the tank as it may sit there for several months before I get a chance to use it again. However.....when I went to open the fuel cap yesterday the key would only advance halfway into the lock and I could not open it. Anyone had this problem before? Does the battery need to be connected to open the fuel cap?? Frozen lock?? Any suggestions of how to proceed??? Also, what is the general consensus. Fule stabilizer or not? Bike will be out of action for about 4 months. Thanks

 

[Mr K]

Frozen lock, I would imagine.
No link between battery and fuel cap.

 

[ovenpaa]

I had it a couple of weeks ago, I was at a petrol station at the time so I just poured a cup of hot water over the lock and it opened OK. I would have used a more refined technique but the trip was telling me I had one mile left to empty..

 

[R17GSR]

I run two bikes, a GSA from march to November, and a ST1100 Pan Euro, Honda from Nov to March,(or when there's salt on the roads). Never had a problem with fuel.
Ride safe
Gary

 

[Skobbejak]

Sounds like a plan. I will give it a bash. Thanks!

 

[Skobbejak]

I run two bikes, a GSA from march to November, and a ST1100 Pan Euro, Honda from Nov to March,(or when there's salt on the roads). Never had a problem with fuel.
Ride safe
Gary

Gary, Do you empty the tank or just leave whatever is in there and start her up in the summer? Some people believe the fuel can leave residues in the fuel lines and cause problems if left for too long?

 

[London Mole]

Same as above, it happened to me last winter in France at a petrol station, I poured my boiling hot cup of tea on the damned thing and after careful ( ) hammering with a wooden mallet it finally opened!!!

 

[Taff]

Why not leave a hot water bottle on the cap for a few minutes?

It's what we do with the car if the locks frozen.