Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Shanks" wrote:

> > Wierd problem with my '01 KLR. The weather has been bad, so I haven't > been on the bike for a while. I put some Stabil in the gas and tried > to start the bike. The key won't go in the ignition switch. It worked > the last time I rode it. I tried WD-40, TLC, Voodo, no luck. It's > like another broken-off key is in there. > > What do I do? Can I disassemble the switch somehow? Take the core > out? Call a locksmith? Take it to the dealer? What? > Bill >

Have you tried just sticking a paper clip down there or any other piece of metal. Seems like you have a pin stuck. As for getting it loose, some kinda liquid wrench? then never seize down the hole. I just had to do this with my DL1000 to get the switch to turn. I have a habit of not taking the key out at home and one morning when I did to take the seat off and put it back in the switch would not turn on. AC in Louisiana

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:35:40 -0000 "Bill Shanks" writes:

> Weird problem with my '01 KLR. The weather has been bad, so I > haven't > been on the bike for a while. I put some Stabil in the gas and > tried > to start the bike. The key won't go in the ignition switch. It > worked > the last time I rode it. I tried WD-40, TLC, Voodo, no luck. It's > > like another broken-off key is in there. > > What do I do? Can I disassemble the switch somehow? Take the core > > out? Call a locksmith? Take it to the dealer? What? > Bill

<><><><><><><> <><><><><><><> Bill, I think I'd try blowing some compressed air into the key slot first. Then if the key still doesn't insert I'd probably try a lock lubricant. I'd also make sure the key didn't have any burrs on it and I'd wipe it clean. Then I'd lube the key and wipe off excess lubricant and try again. I suppose a lot of wiggling of the key might be involved too. You didn't by any chance remove the key with the forks locked did you? If so I'd be wiggling the forks while I tried to insert the key. I tend to only remove my key on my KLR when I need it to open the fuel cap. I cut slots in the tamper proof bolts that hold the ignition switch to the triple tree and after removing them with a flat tip screwdriver replaced them with socket head bolts. That way I can more easily remove the switch in the field if I need to. I suppose it would also make it easier to remove to take to a lock smith. Good luck. Let us know how you do. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

On Jan 8, 2008, at 1:35 AM, Bill Shanks wrote:

> The key won't go in the ignition switch. It worked > the last time I rode it. I tried WD-40, TLC, Voodo, no luck. It's > like another broken-off key is in there.

Vandalism? Could someone have shoved something in there, trying to force the lock? -- Blake Sobiloff http://www.sobiloff.com/> San Jose, CA (USA)

Don't give up on the WD40; I've freed up a KLR cylinder that was all but inoperable that way. If it's cold, it's also possible it's icy in there--you can buy lock deicer at the auto store, looks like a little can of WD40 with a needle tip on it. Worth a shot. If you can't get it, you can access the lock cylinder by pulling off the instrument cluster (and fairing etc). The cylinder's held into the back side of its mounts by two stupid nuts that are designed to never come out (I believe they're rounded one way, or perhaps they snap off after installation? Can't quite remember, though I had one vibrate out entirely and the other loosen). Removing those two nuts will drop the ignition switch out of the cluster to be replaced. I'd look for an ebay unit before I'd take it to the dealer... If you can't get it sorted, post again... I may have one in the parts bin I could sell you for a small fee In the meantime, these bikes are REALLY easy to hotwire. I'll send you instructions off list... no reason to make it any easier for ne'er-do-wells to relieve us of the burden of ownership. Luke Bill Shanks wrote: Wierd problem with my '01 KLR. The weather has been bad, so I haven't been on the bike for a while. I put some Stabil in the gas and tried to start the bike. The key won't go in the ignition switch. It worked the last time I rode it. I tried WD-40, TLC, Voodo, no luck. It's like another broken-off key is in there. What do I do? Can I disassemble the switch somehow? Take the core out? Call a locksmith? Take it to the dealer? What? Bill List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 Yahoo! Groups Links Brooklyn NY 92 CB750 nighthawk--naked simpleton 03 KLR650--fat girl with a dirty mind --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Bill, you never mentioned how cold it was when you couldn't get your key in. I had the same problem just before I put my KLR away, in my case the little door that is I suspect meant to keep water and dirt from entering the switch was frozen closed and the key wouldn't push it open. With a storm on the way I had to use a little heat and a small screwdriver to get the door open so I could get the key in to move the bike.....did I mention that I had locked the steering.... . Snowmobiles I had in the past had a little rubber gromet over the key entry to pevent this from happening but best proceedure was just to leave the key in and on and control everything with the kill switch....sadly not a solution for the KLR. For me in the future I'll make sure I lube the switch very well, keep some lock de-icer on hand and cover the switch entry in cold weather......Have a great evening....Greg Bill Shanks wrote: Wierd problem with my '01 KLR. The weather has been bad, so I haven't been on the bike for a while. I put some Stabil in the gas and tried to start the bike. The key won't go in the ignition switch. It worked the last time I rode it. I tried WD-40, TLC, Voodo, no luck. It's like another broken-off key is in there. What do I do? Can I disassemble the switch somehow? Take the core out? Call a locksmith? Take it to the dealer? What? Bill --------------------------------- Instant message from any web browser! Try the new Yahoo! Canada Messenger for the Web BETA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Shanks" wrote:

> > Wierd problem with my '01 KLR. The weather has been bad, so I

haven't

> been on the bike for a while. I put some Stabil in the gas and tried > to start the bike. The key won't go in the ignition switch. It

worked

> the last time I rode it. I tried WD-40, TLC, Voodo, no luck. It's > like another broken-off key is in there. > > What do I do? Can I disassemble the switch somehow? Take the core > out? Call a locksmith? Take it to the dealer? What? > Bill >

After reading all the post/replies, you might also try putting some low- grade heat to it, using a hair dryer, shrink wrap heat gun, or a trouble light on the key set while rinsing it out with the WD40. Pay attention as to where the heat is concentrated, as you don't want to melt somehing like the insturment cluster. That would be annoying. revmaaatin.

Or .... just apply heat to the key. Criswell

On Jan 10, 2008, at 5:06 PM, revmaaatin wrote: > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Shanks" wrote: > > > > Wierd problem with my '01 KLR. The weather has been bad, so I > haven't > > been on the bike for a while. I put some Stabil in the gas and tried > > to start the bike. The key won't go in the ignition switch. It > worked > > the last time I rode it. I tried WD-40, TLC, Voodo, no luck. It's > > like another broken-off key is in there. > > > > What do I do? Can I disassemble the switch somehow? Take the core > > out? Call a locksmith? Take it to the dealer? What? > > Bill > > > > After reading all the post/replies, you might also try putting some > low- > grade heat to it, using a hair dryer, shrink wrap heat gun, or a > trouble light on the key set while rinsing it out with the WD40. > > Pay attention as to where the heat is concentrated, as you don't want > to melt somehing like the insturment cluster. That would be annoying. > > revmaaatin. > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

My $0.02 in no particular order: 1) Frozen lock - apply heat 2) Foreign object stuck in lock - fish or flush it out. Can you feel anything inside if you poke around with a wire? Part of the key didn't break off inside, did it? Sorry, I had to ask. 3) Lock pins jammed You may be able to unjam them by inserting a paperclip or similar device and stroking the pins from the inside out. You can try it with WD-40 also. 4) Lock pins glued - some smart alec may have put superglue into your lock cylinder. Nail polish remover (acetone) should do the trick. You may also want to try to physically shock the lock cylinder. Take a brass bar to the lock cylinder and hit it lightly with a ball peen hammer. A quick rap is all that's required if that's what's needed. You're trying to shock the cylinder, not drive it through the triple clamp. Darned switches. Mine accepts the key and will turn but will not turn on (switch is dead). Started as an intermittent thing, then I had to do the jiggle thing, then the slow turn and stop when it lit (and hope the lights didn't go out on the way home), then it went kaput. I could probably revive it with contact cleaner but would only forestall the inevitable. $95 at the Kaw dealer for a new switch. Ugh. John

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Shanks" wrote: > > Wierd problem with my '01 KLR. The weather has been bad, so I haven't > been on the bike for a while. I put some Stabil in the gas and tried > to start the bike. The key won't go in the ignition switch. It worked > the last time I rode it. I tried WD-40, TLC, Voodo, no luck. It's > like another broken-off key is in there. > > What do I do? Can I disassemble the switch somehow? Take the core > out? Call a locksmith? Take it to the dealer? What? > Bill >

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Ronald Criswell wrote:

> > Or .... just apply heat to the key. > > Criswell

Ron, Ron, Ron, That is entirely 'too low tech' of a solution for this august (or January) body of readers. LOL--Go to your room without supper. revmaaatin. (cough, it has to be a bad idea, I didn't think of it) ps. really, it might just work, or it might screw up the key--shrug.