Key issues

[DrewDanube]

Group,
Just wondering if anyone else has had their key hole blow up for the key to start the bike?  I'm not sure if this is "normal" 10-year old bike syndrome or if someone messed with the ignition in hopes to steal my bike.  It worked fine at 10am, parked for 1/2 an hour in a junior high school parking lot in Tomball and boom, no worky, no letting my key slide in, plastic pieces hanging in the hole and a spring coming out. 
Its at HoH at the moment...bracing myself for the cost. 
Andrew

[roboto65]

I have heard of this happening a few times once to one of my friends not sure of the fix just wanted you to know you are not the only one...

[john]

i'm think'in     
its a little door to cover key hole ...   ???   
both my saddle bags have done the same thing ...   
a pain but no real concern ...   
a little graphite don't hurt ...
just pick out the small parts ... yer good to go

[Valkpilot]

i'm think'in     
its a little door to cover key hole ...   ???   
both my saddle bags have done the same thing ...   
a pain but no real concern ...   
a little graphite don't hurt ...
just pick out the small parts ... yer good to go

What John said.

[BnB Tom]

That little door is called the "shutter".  It is there to keep out dust, moisture and other debris.  It is best to replace the lock.  Some lock shops can repair the lock if you remove and bring into the shop (1st Quality Lock, Plano).
Do Not Use Graphite!  It has a tendancy to dry out, cake up and become a close relative to clay. 
DO use either a silicone or Teflon based lubricate.  Even WD-40 is recommended over graphite in today's world...

      just my opinion.

[Wanderer]

That little door is called the "shutter".  It is there to keep out dust, moisture and other debris.  It is best to replace the lock.  Some lock shops can repair the lock if you remove and bring into the shop (1st Quality Lock, Plano).
Do Not Use Graphite!  It has a tendancy to dry out, cake up and become a close relative to clay. 
DO use either a silicone or Teflon based lubricate.  Even WD-40 is recommended over graphite in today's world...

      just my opinion.

As a professional locksmith, or is that "Lock Hoyt"? ~Jeff

[hubcapsc]

At first I thought someone was screwing with my bike too, but those little doors just wear out...



I got all new locks for my bike, and spent a bunch of time changing them out. The ignition is straightforward. The
gas cap is easy. The saddlebags were a bit of a puzzle, finally I left the old lock bodies in the saddlebags and installed the new lock
guts, that turned out to be pretty easy. The worst is the seat lock, taking off the center cover is the pits, taking it off
the second time because I put the lean sensor on upside down was the double pits 

I think the best bet, money and time wise, might be to buy a new ignition lock, and take the old and new ignitions to
a locksmith (I'm not taking apart something filled with little springs and shims) who can probably give you back
an ignition with a good door that works with your old key...

-Mike

[Big IV]

I thought that happened to my saddle bag lock, because I have read about here from time to time. Then I realized that my saddle bag lock was full of glue. Something else entirely.

Did you get it home or is it still at the Junior high?
I'd pick the pieces out, then head to a lock smith or a shop to get it fixed the right way the first time.

[hubcapsc]

Then I realized that my saddle bag lock was full of glue.

Is it against the rules for teachers to beat up students?

-Mike

[DrewDanube]

I had the bike towed...and just got off the phone with HoH.  Their tech looked at it and felt it was actually tampered with (more than me messing with the key tampered with...).  The parent of one of my lesson students that lives about a mile away said that the area was having a HUGE crime problem with cars stolen and homes/apartments burglarized because of the proximity of 249 and quick getaways.  I'll be filing a police report when I'm back up there thursday but it is a moot point since I have a $500 deductable and the price to replace everything is going to barely scratch that it looks like. 

I'll ask for the old parts back though and will go see a locksmith.  That seems like the best option long term over changing out everything.  I plan on keeping the bike for a long long time...I can deal with 2 keys if it comes down to it. 

[Hoser]

At first I thought someone was screwing with my bike too, but those little doors just wear out...



I got all new locks for my bike, and spent a bunch of time changing them out. The ignition is straightforward. The
gas cap is easy. The saddlebags were a bit of a puzzle, finally I left the old lock bodies in the saddlebags and installed the new lock
guts, that turned out to be pretty easy. The worst is the seat lock, taking off the center cover is the pits, taking it off
the second time because I put the lean sensor on upside down was the double pits 

I think the best bet, money and time wise, might be to buy a new ignition lock, and take the old and new ignitions to
a locksmith (I'm not taking apart something filled with little springs and shims) who can probably give you back
an ignition with a good door that works with your old key...

-Mike

That tipover switch got me too, it just looks like it should be the other way when you put it back on. hoser 

[Rocketman]

The worst is the seat lock, taking off the center cover is the pits, taking it off the second time because I put the lean sensor on upside down was the double pits 

That tipover switch got me too, it just looks like it should be the other way when you put it back on. hoser 

I would like to meet the man who thought it was a good idea to put a tipover switch in with an arrow that had to point DOWN.  Everybody else in the world makes "This way up" arrows.  He makes "this way down" arrows.
BAH!

Yes, I got bit on that too.  Could you tell?

[RainMaker]

The worst is the seat lock, taking off the center cover is the pits, taking it off the second time because I put the lean sensor on upside down was the double pits 

That tipover switch got me too, it just looks like it should be the other way when you put it back on. hoser 

I would like to meet the man who thought it was a good idea to put a tipover switch in with an arrow that had to point DOWN.  Everybody else in the world makes "This way up" arrows.  He makes "this way down" arrows.
BAH!

Yes, I got bit on that too.  Could you tell?

Probably the same guy who put the arrow on my VW diesel's oil filter cap.  The arrow, along with the torque settings IN GERMAN point to the direction and how much to TIGHTEN it. After too many times watching guys try to loosen with the arrow, I just change it myself now.

[DrewDanube]

Probably the same guy who put the arrow on my VW diesel's oil filter cap.  The arrow, along with the torque settings IN GERMAN point to the direction and how much to TIGHTEN it. After too many times watching guys try to loosen with the arrow, I just change it myself now.
[/quote]

I had the SAME issue back when I had my diesel Golf...

[HayHauler]

I had this happen to me the day before the Mid-Winter Gathering.  I freaked!  When I saw the little spring, I got a pic and pulled it out along with some scraps of something.  I had to force my key into the lock, but it still works.  I just squirt some silicone spray in there every time I wash the beast.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Wanderer]

I realize hind sight is 20/20, but we probably would not have these problems with the locks if we just leave the key in the ignition? 
~Jeff

[HayHauler]

You know Jeff, I seem to have that specific problem too!  CRS settin in I suppose.  I have left the key in the ignition many times and at some places that I REALLY shouldn't have.  But, she is always there when I return.  I have left them in it at work probably 20 times.  I guess our security force is pretty good.....   

Hay 
Jimmyt

[BnB Tom]

Ah yes Jeff, now we're back to going to the locksmith to have 4 more keys made.
      One for each saddlebag, one for the seat release and one for the fork lock.
AND.. if you'll leave your bike running the thief will not wear out your starter either! 

[RainMaker]

I realize hind sight is 20/20, but we probably would not have these problems with the locks if we just leave the key in the ignition? 
~Jeff

Please do a research study on this and let us know if it does extend the key lock door life.

Secondly, please tell me where you are starting your research and when.

[Serk]

Wow... I'd never heard of this happening before...

Read this thread...

Then a week or so later, go to put my key in the bike and it won't go in... Yup, the little door thingy disintegrated on me...

Dug out all the little bits and pieces that I could with a pocket knife, and the key works just fine now...

[john]

my saddle bag lock was full of glue  ......   
damn kids ....     

[Valkpilot]

Wow... I'd never heard of this happening before...

Read this thread...

Then a week or so later, go to put my key in the bike and it won't go in... Yup, the little door thingy disintegrated on me...

Dug out all the little bits and pieces that I could with a pocket knife, and the key works just fine now...

Happened to me on a trip in August '08 on the left saddlebag lock.  I got it working after futzing with it for about 1/2 hour.   After some instruction by Wanderer, I took it apart and got all the crap out.