The fuel lid is not releasing properly. The key turns too far and clicks in the cylinder. It is under warranty so I will get it fixed. I took the latch catch off of the lid and made my own closer so I do not need the key/lock for now. Has anyone seen a magnetic "spring" release for the lid to replace the lock? I really do not need the lock and a spring release would work better.
Fuel lid
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Dang.
I had that thought on my 1st fill up - what happens when the cable/lock/latch/circlip or most failure prone component fails, and is unaccessible? Does not look like there is a "Plan B" to get the door open; other than a pair of flat blades and a chunk of 2x4...
Guess this is the result of the "smooth lines" concept extrapolated from the auto world (everything behind a door), combined with a maybe over-reaching desire to optimize design and keep things light. "Optimized and light weight" things always seem fail sooner than "non-optimized" (and generally heavier) things.
Your magnetic/spring latch idea would be a good project for someone...
I had that thought on my 1st fill up - what happens when the cable/lock/latch/circlip or most failure prone component fails, and is unaccessible? Does not look like there is a "Plan B" to get the door open; other than a pair of flat blades and a chunk of 2x4...
Guess this is the result of the "smooth lines" concept extrapolated from the auto world (everything behind a door), combined with a maybe over-reaching desire to optimize design and keep things light. "Optimized and light weight" things always seem fail sooner than "non-optimized" (and generally heavier) things.
Your magnetic/spring latch idea would be a good project for someone...
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That’s not going to be as easy as it sounds. I think the door is plastic. I’m going to keep an eye on this and hope something comes out of it
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Epoxying on a magnet to the inside of the plastic door would work - as well as a mating metal piece inside the enclosure - would then also need a knob or something protruding from the cover to grasp in order to pull up on the door.
Am outside currently working (70F today in Tucson!) on adapting Legacy Saddlebags to the 2014, and just looked at the filler cap door this am. It appears that there are (3) allen heads holding the entire plastic sub-assembly on - 2 in front and 1 behind. If removal of these work to gain access to the filler, it would prolly be a good idea for every 2014+ VALK'er to carry the right size allen wrench in case a critical component of that lock/cable mechanism fails whilst on a trip away from home. Would save a lot of time instead of asking every person filling their tank at the gas station..." Hey, man, would you have a 5mm allen I could borrow for a minute... :laugh:
On second thought, maybe that's what the "took kit" (consisting of a single 5mm allen wrench) is supposed to be for? Maybe. Possibly. But you would have thought that this was important enough to be mentioned somewhere...
Am outside currently working (70F today in Tucson!) on adapting Legacy Saddlebags to the 2014, and just looked at the filler cap door this am. It appears that there are (3) allen heads holding the entire plastic sub-assembly on - 2 in front and 1 behind. If removal of these work to gain access to the filler, it would prolly be a good idea for every 2014+ VALK'er to carry the right size allen wrench in case a critical component of that lock/cable mechanism fails whilst on a trip away from home. Would save a lot of time instead of asking every person filling their tank at the gas station..." Hey, man, would you have a 5mm allen I could borrow for a minute... :laugh:
On second thought, maybe that's what the "took kit" (consisting of a single 5mm allen wrench) is supposed to be for? Maybe. Possibly. But you would have thought that this was important enough to be mentioned somewhere...
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A extra 5mm tucked away would be a good idea. It is a lot colder up here in Minnesota.
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Time to re-apply some sunscreen, so I had to come in the house...
I tried pulling those allens holding on the fuel filler assembly.
No go.
The assembly is held onto the inner sub assembly (catch basin?) with those push-pin POS's.
You can lift it up about an inch, but you cannot remove it; unless those push-pins are removed prior, which means the fuel door has to be opened first...
Did not want o get too far off in the weeds on another project, but it appears that if you remove them (with the result that your fuel spill catch basin may rattle a bit) it looks like it should work.
I'm fighting daylight on this other project, so did not have time to pursue this further - but thanks for posting it.
I tried pulling those allens holding on the fuel filler assembly.
No go.
The assembly is held onto the inner sub assembly (catch basin?) with those push-pin POS's.
You can lift it up about an inch, but you cannot remove it; unless those push-pins are removed prior, which means the fuel door has to be opened first...
Did not want o get too far off in the weeds on another project, but it appears that if you remove them (with the result that your fuel spill catch basin may rattle a bit) it looks like it should work.
I'm fighting daylight on this other project, so did not have time to pursue this further - but thanks for posting it.
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Progress pics on Bag Project?
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Re: the Saddlebags.
I extended my holiday a day in the hopes to get done bending and fabbing steel today, so I can drop off the first part at my welders tomorrow. Have to do it in stages, because as the metal is welded, it wants to alter shape... Can't have multiple pieces altering shape at the same time - I'd never get it back together! I'll take some pics before I (hopefully) wrap today and post over in the Saddlebag Thread.
Would indeed be nice to have/develop a non-failure prone method for accessing the fuel fill.
I extended my holiday a day in the hopes to get done bending and fabbing steel today, so I can drop off the first part at my welders tomorrow. Have to do it in stages, because as the metal is welded, it wants to alter shape... Can't have multiple pieces altering shape at the same time - I'd never get it back together! I'll take some pics before I (hopefully) wrap today and post over in the Saddlebag Thread.
Would indeed be nice to have/develop a non-failure prone method for accessing the fuel fill.
Thanks for the thoughts. When it failed, I got it to partially unlatch and used a stiff zip tie I carry to finish releasing the latch. Until it is fixed I removed the latch that screws into the underside of the lid and used industrial velcro over the latch opening and on underside of the lid with a tab that sticks up through the space around the lid to open it. It actually works very well. I was thinking of using cabinet hardware but attachment, without permanently affixing/gluing it to the plastic will be tricky.
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