March 26th, 2012, 04:46 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Scott
Location: Western, NB
Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Posts: 51
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steering lock won't unlock
I'm hoping someone has some sage advice on this. Due to high winds tonight, I moved my bike ('09 ninjette) so it would be facing the wind rather than resting broadside to it. I unlocked it, started it, and turned it. No issue. Then, I was curious to see if I could lock the steering with the wheel turned to the right, rather than to the usual left. No real reason, I just wonder about things like that sometimes. Anyway, it would not. So I locked it to the left and removed the key. I then decided I wanted to move it a little bit more, and went to unlock the steering, and have been unable to ever since. I've tried the key both ways, as well as the spare both ways. It slides in perfectly, and can feel the spring or whatever it is when you push it in to lock/unlock move freely. I can unlock the fuel cap no issue. The only thing I can think of, is that it snowed some before I the tarp on it, and the snow melted today but is quite cold. But if there was ice buildup, it would have prevented me from unlocking in the first place. I have tried squirting WD-40 in the key hole with no change. In trying to find a solution, a common one has been to turn the handlebars until it breaks the mechanism, which I'd really rather not do. Has anyone else encountered this? Any help would be great and I'll pay handsomely up to $5.00 in Monopoly money provided you send me a SASE to send it to you in, or come pick it up in person.
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March 26th, 2012, 04:53 PM | #2 |
cuz
Name: Israel
Location: Houston (me) Galveston
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 ninja 250r Posts: A lot.
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wowhave you tried wiggling it ?? dude i have no clue srry hope u get it out
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March 26th, 2012, 04:54 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
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Try turning the bars as far as they'll go in the direction that they're currently pointing. I've found that sometimes, when I lock the bars and leave the bike, sometimes the bike will settle a little, making the wheel turn ever so slightly in towards the center, which applies some pressure to the bar lock, and makes it impossible to unlock until I turn the bars back towards the outside and release that little bit of pressure.
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March 26th, 2012, 04:55 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Scott
Location: Western, NB
Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Posts: 51
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Yeah.. I forgot to mention that. I have wiggled it more than happy dog does his tail including full distance both directions.
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Air goes in, air goes out, blood goes round and round. Any deviation of this is bad. |
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March 26th, 2012, 05:19 PM | #5 |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
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if you look up from the wheel on the right side (facing the headlight) you can see a tab on the stem, youll see the lock pushing down to lock it. maybe that will give you an idea. got a dremel?
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March 26th, 2012, 06:09 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: E
Location: 818 but i rep 516/631/718
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have you tried hitting or kick it...
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March 26th, 2012, 06:21 PM | #7 |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
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if you twist the bars hard enough you will break the lock. not the best way but it works...
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March 26th, 2012, 06:36 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Tyler
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 *Nikkita* - 2003 Buell XB9R Posts: 274
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While you have the key in the ignition, at the same time, slowly try turning the key and the bars at the same time...this happened to me before and worked out.
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March 26th, 2012, 07:33 PM | #9 | |
YEAH! Custom name tag.
Name: Jon
Location: CT
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R SE- SOLD to maverick9611 Posts: 525
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Quote:
I do this all the time and get so frustrated. I put the key in and natural push down on the key, yet it doesn't turn. Put in the key, lift up your hand to relieve the downward force pressure and then GENTLY turn the key to the right.
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March 27th, 2012, 02:32 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Scott
Location: Western, NB
Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Posts: 51
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Thanks all. I've tried all those (except breaking it) with no success. I called the bike shop and the guy is going to stop on his way home. I'll find out when I get home later how he made out and let you know.
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Air goes in, air goes out, blood goes round and round. Any deviation of this is bad. |
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March 27th, 2012, 03:57 PM | #11 |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much.
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MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14
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ive heard of people putting toothpicks or other crap in key holes. key seems like it goes in, but it just wont turn. open the little flap and use a flashlight to look down it. there might just be something in there. you can try using compressed air to get it out of there is. you might try spraying some lube down the key hole.
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March 28th, 2012, 03:15 AM | #12 |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
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I instinctively wiggle the handlebars when turning the key and it always frees. It's the same way I lock it, considering that it doesn't work at quite full lock.
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March 31st, 2012, 05:39 AM | #13 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Scott
Location: Western, NB
Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Posts: 51
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Just in case anyone is interested, here is the update:
The guy from the bike shop stopped off on his way home and took a look at it, and I got home about 2 hours later. Apparently, he got the key from the babysitter, unlocked it, said it was all in how you turn the key, and left. Here and gone within 2 minutes, literally. I'm sure he's thinking that I just wasn't doing it right, but I don't think that's the case. I've locked and unlocked it enough to be confident in saying I know how to do it. I tried it the next morning, and it worked smoothly. Actually, it seemed to turn more easily than ever. The only thing I can think of, is that I had sprayed a little WD-40 in the key hole the night before, and maybe after a few hours and a warm day it worked it's magic and that's why it worked for the mechanic. Anyways, since then, it's been used a few times with no hiccups. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and advice.
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Air goes in, air goes out, blood goes round and round. Any deviation of this is bad. |
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July 28th, 2016, 06:08 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Clifford
Location: Singapore
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): CB400 Project Big One Posts: 1
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Hi guys,
Just to share..I have the same problem for my CB400 project Big One a few days ago..Spent more than 15 mins turning it but it won't work. Did not use too much force as worried that key may break and get stuck inside. Guess the steering lock is old..Just sprayed a bit of WD40 into the keyhole and Wah La! The key is able to turn! Hope this helps... |
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July 28th, 2016, 06:26 PM | #15 |
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Name: Nick
Location: NY
Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R and 2014 Triumph 675R Posts: A lot.
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Locks can freeze, simply adding a little lubricant can make them feel new again. Have had to do it to my mail box. As for the bike, I know that I have usually never had an issue with the lock but usually the best motion is to push the handle bars to the left as you lock it and some times you have to push right a little to unlock. The alignment makes all the difference.
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August 1st, 2016, 06:15 AM | #16 |
Vintage Screwball
Name: B
Location: Washington
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250, 2008 Ninja 250, 2019 KTM 1290SDR, 2017 FZ10 Posts: A lot.
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With a lot of locks, you have to push down on the key to get it to turn.
Recommend also you get some lube for the ignition cylinder. IMO, graphite is the best.
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
August 2nd, 2016, 08:47 AM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: S
Location: CA/MA, usually
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2007 Ninja 650R, 2001 F650 Dakar Posts: A lot.
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Lubricant in the lock is good. I actually had this problem once with my Ninja 650's fuel cap lock... when I was nearly out of gas and away from my tools. If the lube sitting in the cylinder doesn't work, raking the key or a pick along it while applying compressed air can also do the trick.
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
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