I have no idea. I would think it might cause issues with operation, though.
I wish I could just order a replacement latch part. I would order a whole thing, but I am worried about the lock and reassembly of all the tiny parts which might not come with instructions (and there is NO diagram or other info in the factory manual).
I lost my plating contact, but I would disassemble it, or buy one off ebay, and disassemble that one, and have all the parts plated, or anodized, based on the material
Not a bad idea. Would need a spare.... unfortunately, nothing on Ebay. I suppose I could buy a cheapy Ebay "twist" kind to use during the operation so I won't be stranded. Ug. I wish someone just offered the latch mechanism pre-done for sale somewhere. BTW- I think it is zinc, but don't know for sure. Mine is horribly pitted now from the repeated corrosion.
in the meantime, go back to the lithium grease thing, it's what i've used all along, and seems to be the best option, I use a spray lithium and have since I got the bike in '07, and never saw anything as bad as yours was..
hang tough, I'll p/m ya when i have the system down.
Gas cap on the Indian is screw on...nothing to corrode.
I would say that there's quite a few bikes out there with removable fuel caps that don't have those issues such as losing, dropping, dripping or contamination. We, on the other hand, deal with corrosion and keys breaking off in the cap. Now, I've never had either of those issues but I don't live near the ocean or manhandle the stove knob in the gas cap. I also don't worry about that idiotic spring in the ignition switch.
I'm beginning to think with gas being as relatively cheap as it is (YMMV), there's no real solid reason to have a locking gas cap anyway. Unless, of course, you're being stalked and someone wants to dump a pound of sugar in your tank....
Thanks for the instructions and the pictures.
like the OP I hope the little teardrop looking thing goes with the pips in toward the screen looking thing.
Actually, the way I did it, pretty sure if you just turn the key all the way so the thingies are all the way in, and you spray lubricant in it, it'll have the same effect as taking it apart and cleaning it.
UPDATE: I went to check the lock a couple hours after doing this process and found that it was already worse.
Decided to give white lithium grease spray a shot. Instead of taking it apart, I opened the gas cap, turned the key all the way so the triangular bits retract, and sprayed into the gap between the triangular bits and the metal plate that the screws go into. Smooth as butter and the spring works now, it actually wants to close itself.
Wonder what kind of an effect leaving the bits in a baking soda/water mix would do.
It would remove some corrosion but I'm afraid it'll also remove whatever plating it has on that's preventing the corrosion from getting worse