Thumper Club Forum
Technical => Bike Problems/Questions => Topic started by: xbally on December 09, 2013, 10:40:46 PM
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Can anyone help with this little problem please?I have a steering lock but no key. A locksmith is unable to help without a key number. I have a spare lock and key.In the absence of being easily able to get a replacement key what is the best way to get the old lock out?
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Without a key Martin you're really reduced to a bit of (very) careful drilling making every effort to avoid any swarf getting into the headstock and falling into the lower bearing.
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Thanks Dave.
I've not done this before.What size drill should i start with and where is the best place to drill?
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I've never had to attempt to get one one these locks out but I'm sure there must be someone on the site who has !. Were it me I think I'd remove the forks and drop the bottom yoke out as there's every probability that drillings would end up there. Having given it some thought I'd 'go in' with a 7mm drill in at a low angle and rising up when an entry has been achieved in an effort to centralize the hole that you are trying to make in the lock barrel. After measuring my lock I reckon it shouldn't be necessary to drill in further than 25mm because by then you will have just passed the steel pin that's holding it in, hopefully dislodging it. Using a stiff piece of wire (push bike spokes, tough as Hell, cheap, no tool box should be without a few) bend a 90 degree hook on the end, insert it and see if it registers in the mechanism to try and extract it or if the steering stem is out, tap it right through using a suitably sized drift. Can't think of any other way of doing it..........best of luck.
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Thanks again for the advice Dave.
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Any decent locksmith can pick the lock and turn it, after which it can be removed. Said locksmith can then disassemble the lock and make a key to fit it. You will then have a key for the petrol cap etc, which would be useful. Pin-tumbler locks are surprisingly simple to open for one with the right skills and tools.
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Doesn't the lock assembly unbolt from the yoke? if so you may be able to remove the barrel once the assembly is off
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Unfortunately Rhinoman on the 250RS it's held in a fitting welded onto the LH side of the frame at the steering head. That's a very valid idea of employing a locksmith to 'pick' the lock in order to extract it but I wonder what his call-out charge might be, if it's anything like our local plumber a box of tissues should be presented with his bill. I certainly can't argue with this suggestion, well worth following up to find if it's economically 'on'.
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There is a local locksmith i could take the bike to as its now road legal. I might just try that.At least i can get a quote before any work is done.One small point is that the RS ,as Dick has pointed out, the steering lock is on the steering head and the key is specific to that lock and won't fit the tank cap or ignition switch. Thanks for all posts anyway.