Key won't fit anymore

[Farside]

Ok, I had a friend call me today saying he can't get his key back in the ignition. It goes about 1/2 way in and that is all. He had pulled it out to gas up his IS and can't get it back in the ignition. He has tried every thing as you can imagine. Put WD on key to see if it would help. Really weird, this is his only key. Has any one had this issue? I told him someone here most likely can give some advice ???

[The emperor has no clothes]

Ok, I had a friend call me today saying he can't get his key back in the ignition. It goes about 1/2 way in and that is all. He had pulled it out to gas up his IS and can't get it back in the ignition. He has tried every thing as you can imagine. Put WD on key to see if it would help. Really weird, this is his only key. Has any one had this issue? I told him someone here most likely can give some advice ???

Sounds like the little door spring gave way, and is stuck in there. If so, a tiny pick should be able to get it out.

[Top Cat NJ]

Spray some WD 40 or silicone lube on the key and move it in and out, or open up the keyway with the tip of the key and spray inside, sometime the pins hang up because the lube inside hardens, the cheapest thing to try.  

[Farside]

Ok, I had a friend call me today saying he can't get his key back in the ignition. It goes about 1/2 way in and that is all. He had pulled it out to gas up his IS and can't get it back in the ignition. He has tried every thing as you can imagine. Put WD on key to see if it would help. Really weird, this is his only key. Has any one had this issue? I told him someone here most likely can give some advice ???

Sounds like the little door spring gave way, and is stuck in there. If so, a tiny pick should be able to get it out.

Spray some WD 40 or silicone lube on the key and move it in and out, or open up the keyway with the tip of the key and spray inside, sometime the pins hang up because the lube inside hardens, the cheapest thing to try. 

  Thanks Gents I'll pass it on. 

[John Schmidt]

And for pete's sake, tell him to get a couple more keys made. Only having one key is inviting disaster. When I go more than a few miles from the house, I always carry a second key in my pocket and it has paid off a couple times over the years.

[..]

And for pete's sake, tell him to get a couple more keys made. Only having one key is inviting disaster. When I go more than a few miles from the house, I always carry a second key in my pocket and it has paid off a couple times over the years.

 

[Madmike]

[/quote]Sounds like the little door spring gave way, and is stuck in there. If so, a tiny pick should be able to get it out.
[/quote]


 :cooldude:I'd go with this to start

[Farside]

And for pete's sake, tell him to get a couple more keys made. Only having one key is inviting disaster. When I go more than a few miles from the house, I always carry a second key in my pocket and it has paid off a couple times over the years.

Yep, told him that when I asked if he had a spare hard to believe he has no backup.


    It was the cover/door that covered the key hole which had broken off. He got the piece out of the channel this AM. It is all good now. Thanks to all it has been resolved.

[RonW]

Just nuance. The edge of the door is scalloped in order for the key to nudge the door to the side or open the door. Unfortunately, the scallop
overlaps the bore for the return spring resulting in a thin section prone to breaking (red arrow).

Also, my theory is if the tip of your key isn't rounded off, the square edge is likely to damage the door. Albeit after 20 years plastic
gets brittle.

[Farside]

  Thanks Ron that really puts some light on the subject. 

[RonW]

On my Tourer, I'm able to unscrew the chrome cover (5).




Then slip the sub-cover (A) off the keybox by releasing the retention barb from it's dipple. Item B is captured by the sub-cover (A) and pulls off.
This gets an unobstructed view. The keybox doesn't have to be removed from the bike frame.

[Top Cat NJ]

I had a Valkyrie for 20 years and didn't know about that spring, I guess I never had a that problem yet, I agree with John, when it comes to having extra sets of keys, I have three, but I never thought to have a second set with me, I'll do that from now on. What a great place for info. Thanks

[ridingron]

Bury it in/on the bike somewhere? My other bike riding buddy put his spare set in the locked fairing pocket. Not sure how he'll access it when he loses his key. 

[TTG53#1717]

Get some of these little S-Biners. They’re super secure and allow you to separate your key from the ring. Too much weight and all the jangle from a full key ring can damage the switch.

[Jess from VA]

My spares are not honda.  Flat key stays in the wallet (hip pocket).

[Top Cat NJ]

Hey Jess, you gave my a good idea, my saddlebag key is tiny and flat, I'll keep it in my wallet and the ignition key in my saddlebag. I remember someone once posted that they keep their extra key in the lock that unlocks their seat? For me, that's a little on the risky side.

[Jess from VA]

Hey Jess, you gave my a good idea, my saddlebag key is tiny and flat, I'll keep it in my wallet and the ignition key in my saddlebag. I remember someone once posted that they keep their extra key in the lock that unlocks their seat? For me, that's a little on the risky side.

Yes, anyone who knows the bike could look there (same with the guys who put a chrome drawer knob on the key and just leave it in the shiny ignition switch).

However, everyone here has probably lost their key in the seat latch from time to time.  I know I have.  Don't pull the seat that often, then do and leave it in there, then look all over hell for it later, until the forehead smack.

I cannot (ever) remember anyone ever having a Valk stolen, though it must have happened sometime.

No reason to make it easy for someone to take a joy ride.

Insurance companies and cops take a dim view of leaving keys in any vehicle as well.

[msb]

I keep a spare key on the bike at all times. Most of you will never find me up here in Agassiz BC  so I'll tell you that I keep it in a key holder wrapped in electrical tape around some wires behind my Right side cover.
I've wondered about that the past several years, with these bikes getting on in age and the ignition and other lock tumblers possibly wearing out from use. My ignition key now rarely gets removed from the ignition, other than when I'm holed up in a Motel or BnB when out on a multi day ride. Not too many folks in my area would know where the ignition is on a  Valk (or even what a Valk is for that matter), so it's pretty safe here when parked somewhere on local rides.

[TrapperAH1G]

Well, I never ride without my helmet so I have my spare secured under the take out padding.  I have 2 bikes and have a key for each in there.