new to me 89 and no key...where ?

[babyninja1968]

just picked up a sweet 89 and came with no key, no title, no miles, (well hardly any mikes) where do I get a key ?

[tfkrocks]

Any decent locksmith can cut a key directly from the ignition.

[babyninja1968]

Thanx ! I guess gonna bring ig. switch with me into town, ....whats commonly needing attention other than the usual sitting bike issues ?...anything particular to the ex250 should be aware of ? thanx

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by babyninja1968

just picked up a sweet 89 and came with no key, no title, no miles, (well hardly any mikes) where do I get a key ?

What are your plans for it?

Without a Title it's a parts or race bike. You might be able to get a Title issued, but I wouldn't put too much time/money/effort into it until you know for sure.

Just a thought.

[Triple Jim]

A quick search makes it look like CA is similar to NC as far as titling an untitled vehicle. You can get a bonded title, but need to have a bill of sale to show you own the motorcycle. I trust you got that, or can get that.

Here I titled an untitled motorcycle that was given to me, with a little paperwork, an inspection (inspector came to my house) and a title bond, which cost me $100. It took me three days from starting the process to walking out of the local DMV with a registration and license plate. Three years have passed, so the bond is expired and I now have a clear title.

[babyninja1968]

Originally Posted by jkv45

What are your plans for it ?

Just a thought.

Going to get a title for it and get it on the road...its so clean, I cant wait to ride it, it will be a labor of love for sure, will post pics of the progress

[babyninja1968]

Originally Posted by tfkrocks

Any decent locksmith can cut a key directly from the ignition.

gonna be fun removing the ignition switch....maybe I should just remove the gas tank lock and take that to the locksmith, the helmet lock is in lock position so I cant get a screwdriver on it to remove it and take it to the locksmith

[Triple Jim]

I wonder how many different keys there were for 250s. Even though there are thousands of possibilities, sometimes there are only a dozen or two actually used. If someone stocked them, you could just try keys until one worked.

[DannoXYZ]

Look underneath and around helmet lock cylinder. There should be a codr there that locksmith can use to make key

[babyninja1968]

they use one key for everything on these bikes right ? so if I removed the fuel cap/inlet and brought that to the locksmith, might be the easiest way ? or is the ignition switch easier to remove ? read somewhere that the screws on ig. switch need to be drilled ?

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by babyninja1968

gonna be fun removing the ignition switch....maybe I should just remove the gas tank lock and take that to the locksmith, the helmet lock is in lock position so I cant get a screwdriver on it to remove it and take it to the locksmith

No that won't work, the gas tank only uses the tip of the key, not the whole key. And yes the ignition typically has security screws on there so they have to be drilled.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by JacRyann

Look underneath and around helmet lock cylinder. There should be a codr there that locksmith can use to make key

Only remove the ignition as a last resort. That code should be easily visible, and many kawi dealers and/or locksmiths can get a key from the code directly.

[babyninja1968]

Cool, thank you, I will try that on the helmet lock, hopefully I can see something underneath it hopefully it's not behind it because I can't get it off because the pins in the way of the screw

[DannoXYZ]

Some people have said you can use a mirror-on-a-stick to look at the helmet-lock cylinder for code.

[babyninja1968]

Right on, thank you so much

[babyninja1968]

Not yet I just gave it a bath today and we'll get some pictures as soon as I can it's not as clean as I was hoping it to be but it's still pretty darn nice for 1988 which it turns out to be

[DannoXYZ]

Here's more info than you'll ever want to know about keys. And also how to release seat without key.

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=170793
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=63003
https://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic.php?t=79963

I'm going through same thing with a 2002 and 2003 I bought with no keys. Will only need keys for one as 2nd will be race-only bike. Luckily I have locksmith friend who can help me out.

[babyninja1968]

Here it is , after quick bath....

[babyninja1968]

uploaded with my phone, pics are ok I guess if you are a bat haa....sorry bout the upside down pics

[spent_too_much]

You need to remove the helmet lock, in order to see the key code on back. I have used bolt cutters to remove the "pin" and then access the phillips head bolt. I have never used the helmet lock anyway.

Your locksmith can then cut a key by code. In my experience, this is the easiest way out.

[spent_too_much]

Originally Posted by babyninja1968

Here it is , after quick bath....

Wow! it looks fresh off of the showroom floor!

[babyninja1968]

Originally Posted by spent_too_much

You need to remove the helmet lock, in order to see the key code on back. I have used bolt cutters to remove the "pin" and then access the phillips head bolt. I have never used the helmet lock anyway.

Your locksmith can then cut a key by code. In my experience, this is the easiest way out.

Thanx !!

[babyninja1968]

Originally Posted by JacRyann

Look underneath and around helmet lock cylinder. There should be a codr there that locksmith can use to make key

Thanx Jean, just got the lock off and I can see the code, Z then 4 digits just like you said......I kinda mutilated the poor lock though...I called the locksmith and and told them it was an 88 Kawi and they said the bike was to old and they didnt have the codes...whimps...have to try another locksmith.....so that 4 digit code is for the ignition ? AND....all the other locks ?

[DannoXYZ]

yes, the Z---- code makes one key that works for all locks. The gas-tank lock uses one fewer position; works with same key though.

I sent out RFQ via Yelp to 10 different outfits in S.F. Bay Area and two of them got back to me that they were able to make key from the code. Got two keys made from key-code for $51 and had two other copies made at same time.

[babyninja1968]

where in SF bay area did you get replies from ? I am in South Bay....South San San Jose

[DannoXYZ]

Originally Posted by babyninja1968

where in SF bay area did you get replies from ? I am in South Bay....South San San Jose

Sorry I never replied to this. I used http://popalockbayarea.com/. Specifically made appointment at their Oakland location. Came in with my helmet lock and showed them key-code on back.

They punched it onto their computer and put the cut codes into machine. Even had JMA blank that fits! Out popped master-keys that’s brand-new and works better than any copies. Even if you have a key, don’t copy it because you’ll copy the wear and tear as well. Make a new master from key-code if you can.