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[Butterhead]

Just upgraded from a 2010 SESG to a 2016 SESG. Love it -BUT- not in love with the gas cap. It is very difficult for me to get off and on. Yesterday stopped for gas and I thought it got it closed but when I  started down the road I got gas pouring out into my lap. Stopped...fought with the now slicker and wet cap to get it up and seated it again. Off I go...nope. ..more gas pouring in my lap.  My fellow riders were helping with this and we finally got it on properly. But now I'm leary about gassing up again.   

Are there any alternatives to this cap?  Has anyone done any modifications that work so you can actuallly grip the thing well enough to secure it?          

[grc]

One of the prices people pay for "style".  The old system you had on your 2010 worked fine for a very long time, but someone decided it wasn't stylish enough.

Do you wear riding gloves?  That would help with getting a decent grip on the cap.  Assuming there isn't anything wrong with the cap or the threads in the tank, I think it will just take some practice to get the hang of it. 

Jerry

[1roadking]

You put it on and screw it till it won't screw in anymore then push the top down and turn it about 1/8 of a turn and it stays flush. There's no way it would leak if the bottom was screwed in tight. Even if the top pops up it won't leak any fuel sounds like you where not putting it on tight before pushing the top down. Hold the top from the sides when screwing it in initially.

[Magnut1]

If you are talking about the screw in type, not flush mounted. Several forum members in another forum complained about the same thing. The cheap chinese crap isn't made round (like our eyes) the are oblong.  Take it to the dealer and they should cover it under warranty.  Sometimes they will take it off a floor model if you are in real need.

[Royalroadie]

I have had two caps replaced under ESP.  The first one failed at 3000 miles. Could not get it to pop up. They replaced that one and at about 8000 I had the same problem of gas coming out on to me.  I was not a happy camper.  I have always been careful not to overtighten the cap, I screw it in with just the thumb and index finger so as not to put too much pressure on the mechanism in the cap.  I am sure I did not break or damage the second one, it is just that they are very problematic.  If you have to wait on the replacement cap as I did, if you will siphon off the first gallon or so you can get by, just put in 3 gallons at a time.

[Tractor Bubba]

I tighten until it "clicks" once (like an automotive cap), then push it down and give it a 1/4 turn or so - no issues here (yet) thru 9000 miles. Sounds like something wrong with the cap mechanism. I agree with Jerry, tho - the plain old "normal cap" worked for what, 100 years?

[mjb765]

I agree with the above comment. The old style worked fine...but I have a '15 with 5000 miles on it and no issues. Screw the cap in until it clicks, push down and turn. Sound like something with the threads or seal.

[1roadking]

Well mine either doesn't click or I don't tighten it enough lol. I don't think it's suppose to click maybe that's why yours are breaking😄

[mjb765]

Well mine either doesn't click or I don't tighten it enough lol. I don't think it's suppose to click maybe that's why yours are breaking😄

My flush mount clicks when tight like a car. So does the setup I put on my wife's softail. Not to sound like a dealer..but that's normal

[skratch]

the flush mount on my 2013 does not click.  but, you do have to make sure that you are trying to put it on straight, otherwise, it won't go on all the way (yeah, sounds like cpt obvious, huh?).  snug it down, then push in and twist a qtr turn and she's flush.

[mstodd28]

19K and no issues here make sure it clicks before you push it down and turn...

[ozrobo]

Had the same issue with my 13 Road King. Deals replaced the cap under Warranty. Also. Check your vent pipe isn't kinked......

[Nicky Pass]

I've never heard a click on mine.....hmmmmmm!

[mjb765]

I've never heard a click on mine.....hmmmmmm!

You didn't tighten enough.....

[grc]

You didn't tighten enough.....

 

Possibly because the design is so flimsy versus regular caps on bikes or cars, I get the feeling most people don't really twist them far enough to reliably seal the cap to the filler neck.  That most likely has a lot to do with the large number of complaints about fuel and vapors coming out of the cap.

These things have had so many issues over the years that I'm amazed people still want them.  I'm also amazed that Harley has only had one recall on them over the years, even though when they don't seal properly they are both an emissions violation and a safety hazard.  Sometimes they don't seal for reasons other than the customer not cranking them down far enough.

JMHO - Jerry