No key for gas cap - anybody removed the lock?

[Spyder Hawk]

I hope somebody has done this before. I either need to replace the lock cylinder or just remove it from the cap. I have a spare gas cap that I want to get powder coated but it has no key. Has anybody removed the lock before?

[Spydel]

The key for the spyder normally works the gas cap too.

Lamonster Garage also sells a replacement for the entire assembly that does not require a key.