Fuel cap bodge

[nickg]

I understand from chats with Cotton club members that Cotton petrol caps with the 3 lobes are like hens teeth and I was one short.

Posting what I did incase anyone finds it useful.

I found a 2 lobe cap at a jumble for a fiver and thought it was worth trying to bodge something.

Photos below but:

1. Prized the 2 pressings apart.
2. Cut 3 rectangular holes (using one of the existing 2) using hacksaw and cold chisel with a bit of bar as the anvil.
3. Cut 3 strips of stainless about 2mm thick and drilled a hole off centre so a screw and nut can hold them together.
4. Assembled with original spring and pressed back together.

Fitted first time.

Hopefully air can leak between the 2 pressings to act as a rain tight breather.

Not perfect but will do until I find a proper one.

[cottonjo]

Nick, that is the best adaptation to a 3 pronged cap that I have seen. It may help a few members out if it were to be published in Cotton Pickins.
Paul

[nickg]

Thanks Paul. I should have taken photos of the assembly but wasn't sure it would work. I think the above should be enough to inspire better interpretations which will depend on the actual cap.

Embarrassed to say I wasted some time making a 3 prong shape before realising it wouldn't fit through the holes! I'll tidy it up at some point but seems to work with the flat strips without the elaborate bends of the original.

Dremel and small carbide burr was useful for tidying up the holes.

Pic of an original you might recognise (!) below:

[chris1]

HI Nick
I'm wanting to include your fuel cap mod in the magazine. Can you tell me what bike it goes on, i.e year, engine, model etc. My 1928 saddle tank bike has a 2-prong cap.
Cheers

Chris Sawyer (new editor)

[nickg]

Hi Chris, only just seen this, sorry.

It's a bitza, ex grass track purchased from John C who has posted about it on here but I don't know how to link!. 1937 frame according to Charles C.

Originally a 350 Blackburn but now has 250 Python with 2V head.

Pic of Paul Sheppard's fuel/oil cap which is the same, taken at the Bristol show, and side view of my tank.

Nick