Hi guys quickly sorry ive been so inactive lately jus been so busy with work.
Im having MASSIVE problems with my bike lock (the main ignition one) for some reason it just wont turn, ive tried using my spare key (brand new) and theres no difference. i thought it might be frozen so i tried warm, then boiling water in the lock (holding open the lil protective flap on the lock) and this didnt help. I then thought that it needed lubricating and all i had was chain lube and (maybe not the smartest thing) poured some down it, moved the key in and out afew times and it worked great for a couple of days. now its just stopped.
any idea why i cant turn the key? broken steering lock maybe?
a pressurized water displacer would be best, to blast out the muck and protect the internals. gt85/wd40 preferably, start with a liberal spraying of the key, poke it in and wiggle it a bit, if no good then a squirt or too n the barrel but don’t flood it.
if it’s just chain cleaner then I’d say no on the basis that it would clean away anything inside the barrel including any lube letting the pins move…also it wouldn’t leave any protective residue like gt85 would so your problem would likely return in a matter of days…
just be sure you’re getting the key all the way in, I know mine can be a pain some days when the key doesn’t quite go all in because a notch gets caught and so won’t turn…
As we are all aware it’s been constantly p1ssing with rain for the last two weeks - so if the bikes been ridden/parked under this downpour the water is going to get in your ignition lock and seize it up.
As mentioned - best solution is squirting a load of WD-40 down it. I wouldn’t recommend chain lube as it is so sticky.
Once it is free, lube it with something like silicone lubricant (cans in Maplin) as it is designed for switches and locks where much can accumulate. Anythign sticky, like oil, should be avoided for locks as they trap the much that then helps them sieze up.
Accidentally got some on the monster Almax and it makes it buttery smoooth.
Also tried ACF50 anti-corrosion block: this works very well too! My guess is the hot water will probably rust the interior of the lock mechanism to frozen bolts in time. You may need a water dispersant like ACF50 to maintain its action. Mostly this kind of ‘failing lock’ scenario happens to me with the cheaper Oxford type locks where minor physical wear and tear to the key or lock barrel render it less smooth.
WD40 and a lil bit of chain cleaner (to budge the chain lube id stupidly put in there) im gonna get some silicon lube tommorow, where can i get some good stuff? halfords? and whats a good brand?
i’m glad you got this working 'cos i was thinking whether it was your bike you were trying start… or someone elses
i know i know, but it’s happened to me on couple of bike meets LOL
i got on the bike this morning, first day back etc. and put the key in and the fking thing would not turn. had felt a bit dodgy recently but i assumed it was the cold or something. 15 mins of poking around, and still cannot get the steering lock off, so bail and change to get the tube to work. spent all day fretting about how to sort it, and think i’ll just do a little search on LB to see if there has been any advice on a similar thing and lo and behold i get this perfect thread! hoping a spray of good old WD40 will fix my dilemma as it did for Kaeben. noticed that the cover that is supposed to slide across the slot is not working properly, so assume some crap has got in over the last few weeks of weather.
thank lordy! that this site allows such knowledge to be shared with mechanical infants such as myself.
One of my locks jammed up last night as well. WD40 is always the don at sorting this. Pouring water into is the worst thing you can do as it’ll just ice up real quick.
