What Was This Gas/Fuel Gauge Cap Used On?

[ArcticMinibike]

I'm trying to figure out what minibikes these caps were used on. I have 2. One is 6" overall length, the other is 7" overall length. They fit a standard 1-5/8 threaded metal neck but they are too long for any Arctic Cat tanks and have no vent screw. Generic black face with red indicator. Anyone know? Maybe these were for riding mowers? It would have to be at least a 5"-6" deep tank.

 

[gumpit]

Super Bronc?

 

[ArcticMinibike]

It would have had to be for something with a metal tank, I think.

 

[markus]

I'm trying to figure out what minibikes these caps were used on. I have 2. One is 6" overall length, the other is 7" overall length. They fit a standard 1-5/8 threaded metal neck but they are too long for any Arctic Cat tanks and have no vent screw. Generic black face with red indicator. Anyone know? Maybe these were for riding mowers? It would have to be at least a 5"-6" deep tank.

Those aren't mini bike specific, they made small ones to fit most mini bike tanks, but in reality they were aiming towards tillers, snowblowers, edgers, etc.. there were a few companies that had their own made for their specific bike (arctic cat and fox come to mind). With that length best chance to fit anything might be like one of those big squarish tanks on something like trail ram, I dunno overall measurements of those tanks :shrug:

Its gotten hard to find the shorter length ones, near impossible with threaded vent without making your own.

 

[ArcticMinibike]

Am I right in saying that Kelch made most of these? Someone told me once that you can send them back to Kelch to have lenses replaced or have them repaired, but I think that would be crazy expensive, if even possible.

I'm tempted to keep one of them to see if I can modify it or use it for parts. One of my original Arctic Cat caps lost its wire, cork, and indicator 30 years ago when I was a stupid teenager and I broke it off.

It looks like the cage ends is just spot welded to the metal underside of the cap. Any idea how to repair that without damaging the dial? These things don't come apart from what I have seen. Unfortunately all of mine are clouded, discolored, or dirty inside.

Anyone ever take one apart? Anyone ever replaced the wire cage? Shortening would be easy but reattaching to the cap???? JB Weld? Other ideas? Not sure how I would weld it without heat damage.

 

[steven Durham]

Rupp Centaur Trikes had them in their 10 gallon fuel tanks.
Steve

 

[Mark G]

Am I right in saying that Kelch made most of these? Someone told me once that you can send them back to Kelch to have lenses replaced or have them repaired, but I think that would be crazy expensive, if even possible.

Kelch did make quite a few of those style caps, and is still in business today. Give them a shout, I hear they are easy to deal with. (being that they are in Wisconsin:thumbsup

 

[markus]

Like mark said, Kelch made most fo them, I never heard of them replacing parts, I "made" a vented one as an experiment for my Bonanza. It took 3 caps to make one, and it was not something I want to do ever again :1orglaugh: the plastic is all formed/glued/melted together even to the metal cap.

After doing it this way I may got at it a different way with a new kelch cap thats still avaiable. They still sell one that that uses the correct face that 'naza caps had (different outer ridges on the cap though) but it is much longer. If my idea works, it will only take 2 caps to make one instead of 3 :cursing:

 

[ArcticMinibike]

I called Kelch yesterday after my previous post. They said they don't work on them or replace the lens. That's what I expected. I know what you mean. They are bonded together. Might as well be a solid unit. A jig on a CNC mill with a tiny bit could trim right around that joint to remove the lens. Anyone have an idea how to reattach the 2 guide wires to the underside of the cap? It almost looks like a spring steel plate underneath. I am afraid to heat it by welding. Is there a gap between that plate and the printed background?

 

[danilee93]

It goes to an Arctic Cat Ramrod.

 

[ArcticMinibike]

It goes to an Arctic Cat Ramrod.

No, they are similar, but not this long. Ramrod and Prowler caps had a much shorter wire frame, more like 3-4 inches. They also typically had a center vent screw. Same brand though, Kelch. This one is for something with a deeper tank. In my Arctic Cat tanks, the float frame hits the center hump before the cap threads come anywhere near the tank.