Lock re-keying

[georgesgiralt]

Hello guys,
Has someone had the new ignition lock sold by Motobins/Motorworks and made in re-keyed ?
The key looks like an OEM one but I wonder if dismantling the lock to work on it is feasible ? (on the NLA OEM lock it is very tricky to open it and reassembling it without destroying the whole is not guaranteed... )
And at £144 apiece, well.....

[BPT]

I recently posted a question on Facebook about the originals and got no response.  I have an ignition with no key and was wondering if it's possible to take apart without destroying it (was hoping to try and match it to an existing key).

[Tony Smith]

I recently posted a question on Facebook about the originals and got no response.  I have an ignition with no key and was wondering if it's possible to take apart without destroying it (was hoping to try and match it to an existing key).

A locksmith can certainly do that. I have pulled an R65 igntiion lock/switch apart, but it was already broken and I wasn't able to fix the switch, so that doesn't advance your cause.

[jp9094]

When I obtained my '83 r 65 LS 1 2016 the key supplied was problematic in that it took various amounts of jiggling to make it work.

I removed the lock and took it and 3 blank keys to my local locksmith who was able to make new keys that fit perfectly and worked without problem.

They do it by inserting the blank and agitating it. They then file the "shiny" high spots until it fits (they also clean and lubricate the lock well before starting). Only took one day and cost US$30! Hope this helps.

Regards from Brooklyn.

[georgesgiralt]

Yes, I know that a good locksmith can make a key fitting a lock without one.
My question is reversed. Has someone had the new contact switch re-keyed to fit the old key of the bike ? This will involve opening it and move/change/cut the tumblers and then reassemble it... And that's the tricky part.

[Barry]

It's a physically smaller lock barrel than the car one I did so it's bound to be tricky but it wouldn't stop me trying.

[BPT]

And I'm also trying to accomplish what Georgesgiralt is.  I want to match a spare to a key I already have. 
I've looked all over the net and haven’t found anything about taking the housing apart.
The only things I've been able to find were people re-keying but they already had a key.
I know that one of the wafers inside the tumbler holds the tumber in the housing.  But I think you have to have the key to allow you to use that to release the tumbler that way.

[Tony Smith]

The lock barrel is removed (usually) by inserting a special tool into the lock to release the barrel from the outer case. The locksmith can then file down or make new individual pins so that the lock can be altered to fit the key.

[georgesgiralt]

Tony, you're opening up a new world of opportunity here !
I though one have to remove the electrical switch at the base to get to the lock proper.
I'll go to my locksmith and ask...

[Barry]

Last time I re-keyed a lock I found this locking picking article on internet and used it to understand how locks worked.

[BPT]

The special tool Tony is referring to might have to do with that wafer I was talking about. The key lines up all of the wafers to allow the tumber to turn. But the very last wafer's function is to hold the tumbler in the housing.
The special tool I've seen for the BMW locks is a hacksaw blade cut down and with a notch on the end.  It's possibly doable with a paper clip bent at the tip.  But I wasn't successful and I didn't know if it was my lack of skills or if it required you to turn the key to one of the unlocked positions in order to remove it.
I tried with a paper clip and a couple of different lockpcks but no luck.
So that's why I was wondering if there was non-destructive a way to take the whole thing apart.