Re-Keying I/S Trunk & Helmet Locks

[Foozle]

Guys (and Gals):

I know this topic has arisen a time or two over the years, but after being told by every locksmith in my immediate area that it "kain't be done," can someone please verify for me that the lock on an I/S trunk (and perhaps even the accompanying helmet locks) can be re-keyed - provided the key patterns are both cut on the same side (which mine are!)?

In looking through the archives, there are numerous tales of this feat being accomplished by a competent locksmith in ~15 minutes at a cost of $30-$40.  Based on my response from the shop owners I've approached, you'd think I just asked them to crack open a vault at the NSA. 

Before I consider dropping $125 to Pinwall for a completely new (used) I/S lock set, I want to know there's absolutely no other option to using three separate keys for the ignition, trunk, and saddlebags (aside from just buying a *REAL* I/S).

At this point, I'm more than willing to cover shipping costs to a proven source who's tackled this before. I'm sure I don't fully understand all that's involved, but this just doesn't seem like it should be so incredibly difficult.

Any advice?  Comments?  Snide remarks?

In advance, thanks kindly.

Terry (Foozle)
VRCC #22179

[Valkpilot]

As long as the key configuration is the same (A vs B), the saddlebag locks and trunk lock can be easily re-keyed to match your ignition key.  The right locksmith will have, or be able to get, a variety of the little tumbler wafers to make this happen.

The helmet locks on an IS are a little trickier.  They're the same lock type, so re-keying them shouldn't be difficult, but getting to them is the issue.

I'm going to be tackling this soon, so am interested if anyone has removed the helmet locks from their mounting points.

[hubcapsc]

I remember thinking it was going to be hard to do too... and then
I did it easily when I had the front end off the bike 



-Mike "not helpful, I know..."

[Foozle]

As long as the key configuration is the same (A vs B), the saddlebag locks and trunk lock can be easily re-keyed to match your ignition key.  The right locksmith will have, or be able to get, a variety of the little tumbler wafers to make this happen.

The helmet locks on an IS are a little trickier.  They're the same lock type, so re-keying them shouldn't be difficult, but getting to them is the issue.

I'm going to be tackling this soon, so am interested if anyone has removed the helmet locks from their mounting points.

I was able to remove the helmet locks from the mounting bracket pretty easily by scoring a slot across the top of the "tamper resistant" fastener (right through the center pin) with a Dremel - and simply unscrewing them. There is only one per side.  My plan was to replace them with a stainless fastener, but the originals could easily be reused.  Now, this is the entire helmet lock housing on each side of the mounting bracket; I have no idea how accessible the actual locks are within these.

[Foozle]

I remember thinking it was going to be hard to do too... and then
I did it easily when I had the front end off the bike 



-Mike "not helpful, I know..."

Actually, Mike, this is precisely what I'm hoping to avoid by NOT having to purchase (and install) a whole new I/S lock set.  Given this alternative, perhaps needing three different keys isn't so bad. Terry

[Rio Wil]

On a factory I/S, all the locks are operated by the ignition......why is yours different?

[Bighead]

On a factory I/S, all the locks are operated by the ignition......why is yours different?

From what I read he has put bags and a trunk on a standard or Touer.

[BigBad1]

I took the lock out of the trunk and carried that lock along with the helmet locks to a local locksmith. It was not problem to re-key the trunk lock to match the ignition key but they told me the helmet locks could not be re-keyed. I then carried the helmet locks to three other locksmiths and they all said no. I think it has something to do with not being able to remove the lock cylinder from the housing. Someone mentioned that you have put the trunk on a Standard or Tourer. If that is the case, your ignition key will not fit the lock cylinder for the trunk or helmet locks. The keys are different for the I/S. If that is the case, you could perhaps find a lock for a tourer saddle bag and rekey that lock and install it in the trunk. I would love to hear if someone KNOWS a locksmith that can re-key the helmet locks.

[Foozle]

I took the lock out of the trunk and carried that lock along with the helmet locks to a local locksmith. It was not problem to re-key the trunk lock to match the ignition key but they told me the helmet locks could not be re-keyed. I then carried the helmet locks to three other locksmiths and they all said no. I think it has something to do with not being able to remove the lock cylinder from the housing. Someone mentioned that you have put the trunk on a Standard or Tourer. If that is the case, your ignition key will not fit the lock cylinder for the trunk or helmet locks. The keys are different for the I/S. If that is the case, you could perhaps find a lock for a tourer saddle bag and rekey that lock and install it in the trunk. I would love to hear if someone KNOWS a locksmith that can re-key the helmet locks.

Here's a slight caveat I neglected to mention:  The I/S trunk and mounting bar containing the helmet locks are from different bikes.  They're both "right cut" key patterns, but the trunk - for which I have a key - operates separately.  The OEM hardbags are another lock set entirely.  So, at present, the "worst case scenario" is one key for the bike (98 Standard), one for the bags (99 I/S), and a third for the trunk (2000 I/S).  The helmet locks are from an unknown source - and will just have to remain unusable (no biggie). Again, my sole alternative - if I want the convenience of a single key for everything - appears to be replacing every lock from a single donor I/S.  I'm not sure this is worth the time, effort, and expense. Terry

[Bighead]

I have seen entire IS lock sets on eBay go for around $150 that would be totally worth it to me. Call Pinwall cycle I bet they have more than one set available.

[Bagger John - #3785]

I took the lock out of the trunk and carried that lock along with the helmet locks to a local locksmith. It was not problem to re-key the trunk lock to match the ignition key but they told me the helmet locks could not be re-keyed. I then carried the helmet locks to three other locksmiths and they all said no. I think it has something to do with not being able to remove the lock cylinder from the housing.

...

I would love to hear if someone KNOWS a locksmith that can re-key the helmet locks.

A locksmith, no.

Me, yes. 

The helmet locks are similar to those used on a GL1100/GL1200 'Wing and I've disassembled a bunch of those over the years. You can buy lock mechanisms at your local swap meet for a couple of dollars and they make an excellent source of tumbler pins and springs.

When I put my bicycle car carrier locks into their holders, a special key was furnished that allowed insertion and removal of the cylinders. I'm going to have a look at them and the Valkyrie cylinders...if the key lands are the same (A vs B type) then a standard blank SHOULD be able to be modified for extraction purposes.

Regardless, I'll be attempting a re-key of all three very soon and will update this thread accordingly.

[Willow]

Here's a slight caveat I neglected to mention:  The I/S trunk and mounting bar containing the helmet locks are from different bikes.  They're both "right cut" key patterns, but the trunk - for which I have a key - operates separately.  The OEM hardbags are another lock set entirely.  So, at present, the "worst case scenario" is one key for the bike (98 Standard), one for the bags (99 I/S), and a third for the trunk (2000 I/S).  The helmet locks are from an unknown source - and will just have to remain unusable (no biggie). Again, my sole alternative - if I want the convenience of a single key for everything - appears to be replacing every lock from a single donor I/S.  I'm not sure this is worth the time, effort, and expense. Terry

You're getting some good advice and some incorrect information here.  The issue with the helmet locks is not that they cannot be rekeyed. It is that they are very difficult to remove from the case in which they've been placed.  That's by design as they are helmet locks in the open.  They didn't start out there though.  If you get remove the cylinder a locksmith can rekey them.

Interstates and Standards do not have separate keys.  There are left shift and right shift keys among the three models.  The locks do need to have the same shift to be rekeyed to match and someone needs to remove the cylinder from its case.  If you can do it, that's great.  If the locksmith is willing to remove it that will work too.

The way to check easily if your keys have the same shift is try to put the key you want to work into the lock you want to have rekeyed.  If the key will go in but will not turn rekeying the lock will fix that.  If the key will not go in at all the lock cannot be made to match.

Worst case scenario, it sounds like, is that you could get down to just one separate key for the helmet locks.  No big deal.  I never got much use myself from the helmet locks.

Good fortune in your endeavor.  It sounds like your goal is within reach.

[KG]

if you have the vin from the donor bikes you can get a key made.

check with attic rat as Bob was parting out an interstate and I bet he has a key to the helmet locks on that bike and my sell them to you.

[BnB Tom]

  Suggestion:

  If the lock that cannot be taken apart (for re-key) is compatible with all other locks, use the key that operates that lock as your pattern and re-key everything else to match!

   *Simple to check compatibility - if one key will slide into each lock, then all locks are compatible and can be re-keyed to the same key.

[Willow]

  Suggestion:

  If the lock that cannot be taken apart (for re-key) is compatible with all other locks, use the key that operates that lock as your pattern and re-key everything else to match!

   *Simple to check compatibility - if one key will slide into each lock, then all locks are compatible and can be re-keyed to the same key.

That's a good suggestion until you consider that the fork lock has the same issue as the helmet locks.  Making those two locations match presents a challenge.