Sticking ignition lock

[neilhatch]

Hi,

This has happened a few time before but not recently, until the need for a quick exit today.

I leave the bike with the steering lock on, when I go to leave some 40minutes later key goes in but will not turn in any direction (can't put the parking lights on). After a fare bit of jerking the handle bars and turning the key around I can turn the key past lock and start her up.


Has any one had this problem before? I'm thinking of giving it a spray of wd40 tonight but i'm not sure if this will have a bad effect of whats inside the ignition barrel, anyone know?

K3 - original ignition barrel (as far as I know)

Cheers
And
Beers,



Neil

[hall13uk]

yeah i have the same bit of wd40 can help but the affects won't last long cos it's water soluble so basically it washes off at the first sign of H2O. some copper grease maybe better :idea:

[John Burt]

Dont use wd40 it has no lubricating properties, try a graphite based spray - theres loads of previous info on this subject on the site. Silkolene do one but the name escapes me at the mo.

[fizzwheel]

Yep I had the same thing. WD40 will cure it temporarily what you want is some proper lube on it though. Some 3 in 1 or something like that. You'll be able to find something in your local halfords that will do the trick.

[neilhatch]

Tah very much....

Short term, long term fix are fine. Wasn't sure if squirting any type of lube was going to mess with the ignition workings.

Cheers,
Neil

[northwind]

I just used engine oil. Have you used Halfords deicer/lock lubricant by any chance? I used it a coulpe of times, and a week later the lock seized up.

[Vfr400]

Oil does a pretty good job of collecting dirt and crap a better solution is to use Graphite dust available from locksmiths as this is dry but lubricates well.
chris

[Tris]

Mine does that sometimes, but I've worked out if I pull the key edge on it fixes it.

I think that is because the key is worn and doesn't allow the "locking bits" inside the barrel to release properly.

[jambo]

WD 40 or any other oil will fix it for now, nothing mentioned above will cause an issue with the wiring as cabling is fine being soaked in oil or similar and it won't allow conduction between contacts where as water can.

[northwind]

Oil does a pretty good job of collecting dirt and crap a better solution is to use Graphite dust available from locksmiths as this is dry but lubricates well.
chris

That's definately true... Or, buy a soft compound pencil and crush the lead, that's how we lubricate guitar parts ;)

[Spiderman]

Oil does a pretty good job of collecting dirt and crap a better solution is to use Graphite dust available from locksmiths as this is dry but lubricates well.
chris

That's definately true... Or, buy a soft compound pencil and crush the lead, that's how we lubricate guitar parts ;)

Are you guys serious? This really is the first time i've even heard of this and i spent many of my proffesional years messing about with a variety of locks. Used to sell property you see.

I just use a bit of 3in1 oil, cover the key in it and *ooo err mrs* slide it in, nice and easy. Then jiggle it about a bit, till i think the hole is well lubricated, then go for some of the old in'n'out action.

Seems to please the g/f 8) she's always happy when i can start the bike and go away and leave her in peace you see :lol:

[northwind]

Are you guys serious? This really is the first time i've even heard of this and i spent many of my proffesional years messing about with a variety of locks. Used to sell property you see.

The guys who service the banks' safes swear by it. Though that's a ltitle different as they're always in dry conditions, no corrosion risk. Graphite's a very effective lubricant, absolutely no idea why.

[neilhatch]

All very interesting.....now here is another bit. Where can I buy a verrrry small pair of tweezers?

I'm thinking small enough to fit in, say a bike lock, YET big enough to crasp, oh I don't know, say a piece of HB pencil lead?????


oooohhh, Maybe a hoover will work. Not sure if work has one????? :wink:

[thor]

Graphite's a very effective lubricant, absolutely no idea why.

It's due to it's molecular structure. Basically the carbon atoms are arranged in lumps the shape of flat discs. These lumps can slide past each other easily, hence graphite forms a good lubricant.

It's also a very good (dry) lube for clothing zips and fine screw threads where metal screws into metal. Beeswax is very good for wood screws and clothing zips too, and will help to keep the water out.

[kciN]

All very interesting.....now here is another bit. Where can I buy a verrrry small pair of tweezers?

I'm thinking small enough to fit in, say a bike lock, YET big enough to crasp, oh I don't know, say a piece of HB pencil lead?????


oooohhh, Maybe a hoover will work. Not sure if work has one????? :wink:

See that's where you went wrong! Northwind did say a soft compound lead, and you used HB!! :lol:

I would have gone for 2B........... :wink:

[thor]

Graphite is a good conductor too. Is that going to be a problem in the ignition barrel?

[Spiderman]

Graphite's a very effective lubricant, absolutely no idea why.

It's due to it's molecular structure. Basically the carbon atoms are arranged in lumps the shape of flat discs. These lumps can slide past each other easily, hence graphite forms a good lubricant.

It's also a very good (dry) lube for clothing zips and fine screw threads where metal screws into metal. Beeswax is very good for wood screws and clothing zips too, and will help to keep the water out.

Now thats a proper explanation for you. Well done that man.
I wont ask why you know this, but at least its taught me something new.

I did a google search myself for Graphite powder ad found links to how explisive it can be :shock: / how it cause bronchial ilnesses :shock: and all sorts of other things but nothing saying its a good lube.

[thor]

Now thats a proper explanation for you. Well done that man.
I wont ask why you know this, but at least its taught me something new.

:takeabow:

I'm a science buff.

[northwind]

Graphite is a good conductor too. Is that going to be a problem in the ignition barrel?

Nah, SVs dont't use active keys. I'm not sure how Honda HISS works but it might not be such a good idea there. The conductive keys we use in the bank are mainly noted by their ability to a) not work and b) cost a mint to replace when 1) occurs. But they are phenomenally secure, as close to uncrackable as you can get with an electromechanical lock.

[Speedy]

:) Hi there! Wurth do a lubricant called HHS 2000,It is excellent. When you spray it,its very thin(like WD40)but as the thinners/solvent evapourates,it thickens up.It has a very high pressure rating so it doesn't dissolve or wear out/off easily. Wipes off with any alcohol based solvent,wo'nt affect any internals and lasts for ages. Use it in lock barrels at work all the time!
Speedy :)

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

I use ACF50 on mine when it's had that problem. Has similar but better properties than WD40 and doesn't gum up, plus it does have lubricating properties, at least according to the blurb I got with it. I've stuck it in the ignition barrel and in all the outside padlocks/chains I use and they've not needed re-doing though the whole winter.