Fuel Door revisted

[whereiscarrie]

Hi all,
I've been reading old threads about adding a fuel door to the seat so its simpler to fuel up when your loaded on the back seat. I found Blueknight911 helpful instructions and tips to install a fuel door as well as the idea from garb55/Motorcycle Dave to modify the seat itself so the front piece becomes the flap. My question is this, for those of you who have done either of these approaches, and lived with them awhile, I'm curious about:

1) how useful you found the door to be? (thinking I'm not loaded down most the time so questioning if its worth the effort to put in a door)
2) for those who used garb55/motorcycle Dave's approach to use the seat itself as a hinge, how has the seat cover held up? I would love to see pictures of a seat after a year or two of use.

I will likely break down and add a fuel access method soon, but curious about other's experience after they put one on the seat.

Thanks!

[4 MARIE]

my Corbin seat came with a fuel door, standard apparently, while unsure at first
I am now thoroughly spoiled and use it all the time, loaded seat or not.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Hi all,
I've been reading old threads about adding a fuel door to the seat so its simpler to fuel up when your loaded on the back seat. I found Blueknight911 helpful instructions and tips to install a fuel door as well as the idea from garb55/Motorcycle Dave to modify the seat itself so the front piece becomes the flap. My question is this, for those of you who have done either of these approaches, and lived with them awhile, I'm curious about:

1) how useful you found the door to be? (thinking I'm not loaded down most the time so questioning if its worth the effort to put in a door)
2) for those who used garb55/motorcycle Dave's approach to use the seat itself as a hinge, how has the seat cover held up? I would love to see pictures of a seat after a year or two of use.

I will likely break down and add a fuel access method soon, but curious about other's experience after they put one on the seat.

Thanks!

Hi , I'm Mike aka BLUEKNIGHT911 ... garb55 and Dave had workable entries to the cap .....And I agree with you that the possibility for failure do to use IMHO is high .... the seat material was not designed for that type of stress .... I prefer the method that I devised to accomplish the task ..... I did installs as a vendor ( many dozens ) and learned a lot along the way .... did you get my info from a Thread started by " ggivens " , because that was my most recent instructions ...... PS don't try to use one for the JEEP it won't work .... also if you buy a Billet Aluminum door make sure it isn't just a COVER for the door on that vehicle ...... you can PM me with any questions .......................Mike

[LeftCoast]

My Russell Day Long also has a fuel door. Very very convenient.

[whereiscarrie]

Thanks Mike! My first inclination is to go the route of installing the door. It just feels like a more "solid" way to go. I just don't know if I have the right tools. No dremmel, mainly. Pretty sure I can scrounge the rest of the things from my nephew. I'll look for the instructions on the ggivens thread. Pretty sure the ones I found were from your early days of doing it. At least I have two seats so if I screw it to bad I can try again...

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thanks Mike! My first inclination is to go the route of installing the door. It just feels like a more "solid" way to go. I just don't know if I have the right tools. No dremmel, mainly. Pretty sure I can scrounge the rest of the things from my nephew. I'll look for the instructions on the ggivens thread. Pretty sure the ones I found were from your early days of doing it. At least I have two seats so if I screw it to bad I can try again...

I never missed NOT owning a Dremel ....until I bought one .... now I don't think I could live without it .... Dremel sells a 1/8 dia. " Carbide cutting / shaping tool " , I have actually worn out Three of them ..... If you follow how I did the doors ( ggivens thread ) it's hard to screw it up ..... good luck .... Mike

[pegasus1300]

Here is the thread Mike was referring to. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...l-Gas-Door-DYI

[whereiscarrie]

Here is the thread Mike was referring to. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...l-Gas-Door-DYI

Thank You! I think I will jump in and give this a go one evening next week. (got weekend rides planned the next two weekends, so now is the time to do it and get some benefit!)

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thank You! I think I will jump in and give this a go one evening next week. (got weekend rides planned the next two weekends, so now is the time to do it and get some benefit!)

The Dremel tool works best using the most Course stone you can get ...............Mike

[pegasus1300]

And if you have an adjustable speed one use a slower speed so as not to melt the plastic.

[Boilermaker]

Thanks Mike! My first inclination is to go the route of installing the door. It just feels like a more "solid" way to go. I just don't know if I have the right tools. No dremmel, mainly. Pretty sure I can scrounge the rest of the things from my nephew. I'll look for the instructions on the ggivens thread. Pretty sure the ones I found were from your early days of doing it. At least I have two seats so if I screw it to bad I can try again...

You can pick up a pretty cheap "dremel-like" tool at Harbor Freight. They are $10 without a coupon. Not made for the long-haul, but should work easily for this job. Well worth the investment.

[Bob Denman]

Mike installed a fuel door in my 2014's OEM seat... It worked fantastic!

… in the parking lot of his motel; during SpyderFest 2016...

I liked it so much, that I was sorely tempted to add one to my 2018...

But I couldn't bring myself to cut into that seat!

[Mazo EMS2]

My only complaint about the fuel door is that the rubber boot on the nozzle blocks your vision, and ability to put the nozzle down into the tank. Ya better hope that the auto stop works on the pump!!!!

[whereiscarrie]

You can pick up a pretty cheap "dremel-like" tool at Harbor Freight. They are $10 without a coupon. Not made for the long-haul, but should work easily for this job. Well worth the investment.

Good idea! When we lived in NM we shopped Harbor Freight all the time, but since moving to WA I forget about them. Thanks!

[happygrin]

can you pm me for info to get a flap via Ali Express and info on installation plse? or e/mail to me if possible gibbon@slingshot.co.nz lol looking at putting one on my spyder st ltd thankyou in advance
blueknight911

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

can you pm me for info to get a flap via Ali Express and info on installation plse? or e/mail to me if possible gibbon@slingshot.co.nz lol looking at putting one on my spyder st ltd thankyou in advance
blueknight911

Since you mentioned Me in your post .... let me clarify .... I Installed Gas Doors on many Spyders ( including GS-RS- and ST model seats ) .... I have stated the " FLAP " imho is difficult to do because the plastic is thick and tuff to cut it's also very easy to accidentally cut thru the vinyl seat material and will likely Fail over time ..... good luck .... Mike