Rust on fuel cap - what to do?

[Sigg79]

My fuel cap seems to have got some beginning rust:





It kind of looks worse than it is on the pictures. I'm not even sure if it's rust.

What to do? Help!

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

You can remove the cap (three bolts visable outside(allen heads, one inside the cap) and clean it off gently with a brass tooth brush. Once clean, just put a VERY THIN layer of grease over the area... Make sure its nice and clean before re-installing

Don't damage the sealing gasket/rubber.

Its really not that bad and not unusual.

Once the picture's open, double click again and it'll enlarge further..

 

[Sigg79]

Would you just use regular soap based lithium grease on it after removing the rust?

 

[fb40dash5]

I usually use silicone dielectric grease, since it's ungodly sticky, but clear so it's not a nasty mess if you accidentally get it on something.

Townsend is definitely right about it not being a huge deal. I've seen 30+ year old bikes that have the same issue, and I guarantee you it didn't just start recently. Might as well take some simple steps to fix and prevent it though.