After reading several posts in different places it is obvious that keyless gas caps area source of irritation. My first encounter was yesterday. I stopped to fill the tank and the keyless cap would not open. Fortunately after some fiddling the cap opened and I was able to fill up. However, after filling up I tried to open it a few more times with no luck.
On the way home with plenty of time to think about trading this thing for a Yamaha ST (this is my first BMW and I have been very nervous) it occurred to me that the mounting hardware for the tank bag (installed by previous owner) uses after market socket head cap screws through the cap flange. It turns out that my problem was mechanical binding from the bag mounting hardware. After backing off the after market screws the cap opens and closes properly with no issues. I have ordered 6 screws from BMW to remedy the problem. I will also try and get the torque and sequencing specs before installation so I do not distort the flange during re-installation. Yes, that means no more tank bag but I don't like a tank bag anyway and didn't use it.
For those who noticed the issue in hot weather I suggest you may have the same issue as these components are a mix of steel, aluminum and plastic all of which have different a coefficient of expansion. If the cap is not functioning try backing off the two screws closest to the handlebars.
On the way home with plenty of time to think about trading this thing for a Yamaha ST (this is my first BMW and I have been very nervous) it occurred to me that the mounting hardware for the tank bag (installed by previous owner) uses after market socket head cap screws through the cap flange. It turns out that my problem was mechanical binding from the bag mounting hardware. After backing off the after market screws the cap opens and closes properly with no issues. I have ordered 6 screws from BMW to remedy the problem. I will also try and get the torque and sequencing specs before installation so I do not distort the flange during re-installation. Yes, that means no more tank bag but I don't like a tank bag anyway and didn't use it.
For those who noticed the issue in hot weather I suggest you may have the same issue as these components are a mix of steel, aluminum and plastic all of which have different a coefficient of expansion. If the cap is not functioning try backing off the two screws closest to the handlebars.
