HELP - ICE! - SV650.org

07-02-07, 09:17 AM

This morning I went to my bike and my lock had frozen on my big chain - I could get the key in but not turn it. After putting the key in and out for about 45 secs the lock decided to open, phew I thought that was lucky.

Not quite, my next issue was that I was unable to put my key in the ignition due to the fact that this too had frozen, I tried this several times, but still no joy so I decided to put some warm water over it, which worked and on my way I went thinking my troubles were over......

After a quick 15 minute ride to work, dodging people attempting to murder me by not using their frozen up mirrors, indicators or even making the slightest attempt to look over their shoulder through their still icy windows -

I had totally forgotten about the ice issues, that is until I turned the bike off and tried to remove the key!!!

The thing had frozen soild, I guess due to my warm water turning cold.

So the question is what can I use instead of warm water to help with the lock issues?

07-02-07, 09:21 AM

de-icer

but........be careful riding.....if the 2 locks were frozen so will the roads be

07-02-07, 09:38 AM

As hovi5 said, de-icer. Also a good dose of WD40.

Personally, my bike has been parked in the garage (and it has a big heavy oak door on the garage, with hefty locks & bolts). The bike hasn't been chained up, and the key left in the ignition. Solves a lot of problems that way

northwind · 07-02-07, 09:45 AM

I wouldn't use the spray deicer that Halfords sell though, it's quite solvent-heavy and can carry away the lubrication in the lock. It does claim to be a lubricant too but I'm unconvinced, myself. THe wee bottle one's quite effective.

07-02-07, 09:52 AM

Salt! Use salted hot water water - it'll have a lower freeezing point (about - 8?) and shouldnt freeze up.

Unless you have deicer, of course. Us that instead if you do

Matt

07-02-07, 09:54 AM

Try to keep the moisture out as a preventative measure, lock lubricant when you can seems to help disperse any moisture and if it has frozen then warm the key up and then stick it in the lock. Be careful doing this you don't want to set fire to the plastic on the key, I used to find a couple of matches worked well, just hold the blade of the key in the flame and as the match goes out or you drop it because your fingers are getting hot insert it in the lock; the heat of the key melts what has frozen in the lock.

This used to work until I got the bike under cover.

07-02-07, 10:01 AM

Too icy for me this morning...the roads round here getting to the main roads dont get gritted all that often and even in the car I sometimes have ice issues so no chance I was going out on the bike before the temp made it to at least 0deg.

07-02-07, 10:24 AM

I would not use salt, that could increase corrosion within the lock. Use WD40 to free it then a small amout of engine oil down the key hole will sort it for the rest of the winter.

07-02-07, 11:03 AM

As hovi5 said, de-icer. Also a good dose of WD40.

Viney · 07-02-07, 11:07 AM

I lube my lo9cks with a very good dose of WD40 in the winter, and to date, never had a problem. I must remember to put my cover on tonight. Im sure i saw my bike shivering this morning...poor thing! Took for ever for her to wake up as well.

07-02-07, 09:17 AM	#1
krhall Guest Posts: n/a	HELP - ICE! This morning I went to my bike and my lock had frozen on my big chain - I could get the key in but not turn it. After putting the key in and out for about 45 secs the lock decided to open, phew I thought that was lucky. Not quite, my next issue was that I was unable to put my key in the ignition due to the fact that this too had frozen, I tried this several times, but still no joy so I decided to put some warm water over it, which worked and on my way I went thinking my troubles were over...... After a quick 15 minute ride to work, dodging people attempting to murder me by not using their frozen up mirrors, indicators or even making the slightest attempt to look over their shoulder through their still icy windows - I had totally forgotten about the ice issues, that is until I turned the bike off and tried to remove the key!!! The thing had frozen soild, I guess due to my warm water turning cold. So the question is what can I use instead of warm water to help with the lock issues?

07-02-07, 09:45 AM	#4
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	I wouldn't use the spray deicer that Halfords sell though, it's quite solvent-heavy and can carry away the lubrication in the lock. It does claim to be a lubricant too but I'm unconvinced, myself. THe wee bottle one's quite effective. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

07-02-07, 09:21 AM	#2
hovis Guest Posts: n/a	de-icer but........be careful riding.....if the 2 locks were frozen so will the roads be

07-02-07, 09:38 AM	#3
Baph Guest Posts: n/a	As hovi5 said, de-icer. Also a good dose of WD40. Personally, my bike has been parked in the garage (and it has a big heavy oak door on the garage, with hefty locks & bolts). The bike hasn't been chained up, and the key left in the ignition. Solves a lot of problems that way

07-02-07, 09:52 AM	#5
Alpinestarhero Guest Posts: n/a	Salt! Use salted hot water water - it'll have a lower freeezing point (about - 8?) and shouldnt freeze up. Unless you have deicer, of course. Us that instead if you do Matt

07-02-07, 09:54 AM	#6
Essex of Essex Guest Posts: n/a	Try to keep the moisture out as a preventative measure, lock lubricant when you can seems to help disperse any moisture and if it has frozen then warm the key up and then stick it in the lock. Be careful doing this you don't want to set fire to the plastic on the key, I used to find a couple of matches worked well, just hold the blade of the key in the flame and as the match goes out or you drop it because your fingers are getting hot insert it in the lock; the heat of the key melts what has frozen in the lock. This used to work until I got the bike under cover.

07-02-07, 10:01 AM	#7
Jdubya Guest Posts: n/a	Too icy for me this morning...the roads round here getting to the main roads dont get gritted all that often and even in the car I sometimes have ice issues so no chance I was going out on the bike before the temp made it to at least 0deg.

07-02-07, 10:24 AM	#8
Beenz Guest Posts: n/a	I would not use salt, that could increase corrosion within the lock. Use WD40 to free it then a small amout of engine oil down the key hole will sort it for the rest of the winter.

07-02-07, 11:03 AM	#9
Sideshow#36 Guest Posts: n/a	As hovi5 said, de-icer. Also a good dose of WD40.

07-02-07, 11:07 AM	#10
Viney Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the shadows to the left Posts: 7,700	I lube my lo9cks with a very good dose of WD40 in the winter, and to date, never had a problem. I must remember to put my cover on tonight. Im sure i saw my bike shivering this morning...poor thing! Took for ever for her to wake up as well.