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Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: cpp01 on February 14, 2009, 08:46:29 PM

Title: Cork fuel tank cap seal
Post by: cpp01 on February 14, 2009, 08:46:29 PM

Helllo,

New member and new to classic bikes. I've just bought a new cork seal to replace the missing seal in my fuel tank cap and despite it being the right diameter (ID + OD) I cannot get the cap to fit back onto the tank.
Is there a special trick I meant to be using or is the seal I've bought too thick?

Thank you for any help you can give.

Regards,
cpp01

Title: Re: Cork fuel tank cap seal
Post by: L.A.B. on February 14, 2009, 09:16:39 PM

Try soaking the cork seal in very hot water for a few minutes, then quickly fit it to the cap and immediately try to fit the cap to the tank. If it fits, leave it to cool.

  

Title: Re: Cork fuel tank cap seal
Post by: cpp01 on February 15, 2009, 02:48:29 PM

L.A.B., thank you for the advice but it didn't work I'm afraid.
Unless there's any other ideas I think I'm just going to have to reduce the thickness of the seal slightly.

Thanks,
cpp01

Title: Re: Cork fuel tank cap seal
Post by: Hunter on February 16, 2009, 06:09:04 PM

What sort of thickness are we talking about here, the seals I,ve bought are around 1/16" thick assuming your talking british bike.
L.A.Bs method is the usual one if the seal is cut from normal size material. I have done this with the seal still soaked and it usually works.

Title: Re: Cork fuel tank cap seal
Post by: cpp01 on March 13, 2009, 07:36:16 PM

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you all. The cork is now in place! After trying the hot water technique described I left the cork for a day or two and it dried out, shrunk a bit and now fits in place without any further 'tampering', a bit tight but good!

Thansk for all of your help.
cpp01