Ducati Monster Forum

So, I finally got my 2001 Monster home only to realize the gas cap key is not the same as the ignition key. No luck with the seller finding the kep as this was a consignment bike. I was hoping to get a new cylinder for the cap so the ignition key will fit the gas cap. Is this possible and if so, can any locksmith do this? I really don't want to have to drill the lock out, so any help is appretiated. Thanks!

EDIT: Let's sum all these posts up into one. Got the cap off and unlocked thanks to a locksmith buddy, still no key. It is a Road Racing Italia tank though, so I scored big time. Thanks for the offers, but I don't need to trade the tank for a new one with a locking gas cap  ;D.

You can remove the gas cap as a whole assy without opening the lid. Then you can take it to a smith. That would be my step one. If you cant get them to make a enw key, then maybe look into vortex caps or similar keyless ones.

I take it you just have to remove the screws around the cap and then unscrew the whole assembly? No reverse threads or anything? Thanks a bunch for the super quick reply!

I speak with knowledge of my M900 monster, not POSITIVE yours wont be different. Pretty sure its the same though



on mine, you take off only three screws. The top one, and two at the bottom to make a triangle. Nothing special or trick. a 4mm allen if I remember correct.

I don't think it'll release until the little 2.5mm carrot pin allens are removed from the inside of the collar....

if I were you though...be looking for a Vortex or other keyless cap set-up and take a screwdriver and jimmy that b***h open when you get it in and are ready for install!

According to the parts book, the 2001 monsters have a screw under the locked part of the cap as well.  I wouldn't have even looked if I did know mine had the same thing ('08 s2r).

Locksmith would probably be able to pick it for you, then you could install an aftermarket one.


You know what, on second thought, take the whole damn bike back to the dealer.  Let them know you will buy it if they can get the price down to cover a new cap and a locksmith to open it for you.  No reason to buy a bike you can't use, and if you can't put fuel in it, you can't use it.

i agree. back to the dealer it goes.
they should have advertised/known that the key was not corresponding.
it's absurd to try and sell the bike otherwise.

more importantly, i would be concerned with WHY the key doesn't work. is the entire tank non-original? was it wrecked?
dont want to get the paranoia birds flying around, but obviously there was either a mistake made, or purposeful deceit on the matter of the gas cap.

quick fix if you dont care, take it off and put an aftermarket one on. look better anyway ;D

pick the cap, get a keyless one.motocorsa has some pretty ones at ~60$

non matching key is a far larger issue however, it absolutely got a new tank at some point. have your local dealer run the vin and see what color its supposed to be but if the key matches the ignition and the seat release then chances are the bike had some sort of accident/swelling issue and the owner bought a full new tank on ebay and didnt think to change caps.

I can understand the dealers stance as this was a used bike that was put on consignment through them, so therfore it is sold as-is, but yeah, i am pretty pissed about them not mentioning that fact. Talked to the salesman and he's going to contact the seller to see if the key is laying around.

I guess this makes a difference, and to answer your question, it does not use the same key as the ignition. In fact, the tank itself was some special edition from the ducati catalog back in 2007 or 2008. I am including a pic of the cap as it looks like i may be able to remove the whole assembly if neccesarry.

(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225398_10150579262050533_661845532_18677939_2896613_n.jpg)

more than likely, the gas cap got jimmied by someone and the owner bought a replacement off ebay and the dealer lost the key or tossed it when it didn't fit the ignition.

Long story short, the guy who owned the bike died, and it was sitting in storage for 3 years until his wife decided to sell it. The dealer said the ignition was the only key she brought in with the bike, but he also said they drained the fuel, rebuilt the carbs and put fresh fuel in it, so i think you might be on the right track with the dealer losing it or something. Guess I'll wait to hear back from them, then have a chat with the dealerships owner if the salesman doesn't come through with a key.

Before I go bashing the dealer, I'll wait to hear back from them, but is there any rule here against posting shop names and stuff if a deal goes sour?

which monster is it that you bought?  that is def not a stock gas cap/ring/etc. from any 2001 i've ever seen.  sounds like what everyone is saying is correct, owner put on an aftermarket tank/cap whatever and lost the key.  i wouldn't worry too much, just pull the allen screws, toss the cap and replace it with a little blingy race cap.   

This just got interesting. Full Pics of the tank please.  ;D

yea...
i smell chromo.

Yes, pics please. That is unusual

that is not a normal monster tank, the shape around the gas cap you can see is shaped to the gas cap not a stock one.

it sounds like it might be a tank from that company beater in japan, who knows right?

If you can get the cap off, they are not too hard to re-key(assuming it ever did use the same key to begin with).  I bought an old cap off of ebay that had the Cagiva elephant on it - I like the design - and used the pins from my stock cap to make it work with my key.  Your lock looks a bit different though so you might need a locksmith.  Good luck with it.

Am I missing something? Because if the dealer filled the tank... the dealer had the key.

GO TO THE DEALER. Either they pay to get a new key made, find the key, install a new gas cap or refund you the money. PERIOD.

Also, that's a really cool gas cap.  [thumbsup]

+1  [thumbsup]

That looks like a RoadRacing tank!!  If so, good find!!!

From TOB:
(http://www.ducatimonster.org/featured/2006jan/gallery_09_small.jpg)

I was able to get the lock picked and unlocked so I can at least gas it up.


Thank you!!! I knew the dealer told me what it was but could not for the life of me remember. But yes, it is a Road Racing tank. He said it was worth a few bucks and I should take care of it, hahaha. Anyways, here are a few pics of it for those who asked:

(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/226551_10150579699090533_661845532_18685529_757840_n.jpg)

(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222054_10150579699010533_661845532_18685526_7169947_n.jpg)

(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/221753_10150579698910533_661845532_18685523_5504032_n.jpg)

siiiiiiiiick man!  score! 

my RR tank was the same way, different key for tank and bike.

if you REALLY needed to, there is defintely a way to make a key for that lock.

Nice tank.  [evil]

how terrible! tell you what, ill trade you my gas tank with my keyless gas cap so that you dont have to hassle with it. ill pay shipping, im just that nice.

  [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [thumbsup] now that's a true humanitarian there . . .

yeah, this went from you got screwed to... holy awesome find batman!

Hahahaha, thanks. Seeing as this is my first bike, I've been told I came out pretty well  ;D

ride the bike to a locksmith hoping that you have enough gas to get there

locksmith can make a key to suit

or take the tank off and take it to the locksmith

ffs dealer , thats just as bad as selling you the bike with only the gas key , sold as is sorry cant help ya , lmao

as mentioned dealer says they cleaned carbs and fresh gas then they lost the key so a new one thankyou very much

I cant imagine that ANY dealership would pull a "buyer beware" when it comes to providing all the keys necessary to operate the bike.  go over the sales guys head and talk to the GM.

You got ripped off, but I'll help you out man...

Carefully package up that tank and send it to me and I'll offer you a brand new ducati tank  ;D

Seriously... you scored big time with that tank  [thumbsup]

awesome tank, but those are by far the ugliest headlights Ive ever seen!

Tank outweighs that by far

i would murder and burn every inhabitant of all local orphanages and puppy stores without hesitation to get that tank.

i'm stealin this.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D