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Author Topic: Unlocking Forks  (Read 732 times)

TXRider60

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Unlocking Forks
« on: July 17, 2009, 10:23:53 AM »
Decided to try my various keys. One works with ignition and seat, does not work with fork lock.  The other (original black handle edition) locked the forks, quite smoothly.  Unfortunately, no amount of shaking, rattling and rolling-- with liberal doses of WD40 (you really can acquire a taste for the stuff) will make it unlock.  The key isn't "stuck"-- goes in and out easily, even turns L/R a bit, but cylinder does not move in or out, as I expect it would.  Any ideas that can be understood on my (67-year-old) 3d grade level?
It's always the little stuff that makes one look (and feel) stupid-- with my last airhead it was the gas-cap...
 :-[

Offline montmil

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Re: Unlocking Forks
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2009, 12:36:44 PM »
I've heard so many BMW fork lock horror stories that I haven't even attempted to stick my key where it doesn't belong. Talking motorcycles, here.

Worse case scenario would be to beg or borrow a slide hammer with a screw tip and rip the lock out. Or you could spend fifty bucks and get a locksmith to tell you it can't be unlocked!

Locks only keep honest people from messing with your stuff. Big dogs help, too. Luck to you, TxBurt.

Monte

Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

TXRider60

  • Guest
Re: Unlocking Forks
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2009, 01:15:32 AM »
Since I don't own a slide hammer, I had tentatively scheduled a demolition expert (actually a mechanic) to make a house call and pull the cylinder... But in the meantime, I invested a few hundred more attempts to unlock the forks: Lots of shaking, lots of WD40 shot into every visible opening (on the R65).  When it suddenly unlocked I was so surprised that I nearly relocked it.  Next step (after a little ride in the morning!) will be to fill the fork lock keyhole with solder or superglue or anything that will render it permanently inoperative and inaccessible. Now I can ride her to a paint shop-- let the rejoicing begin!
 ;D

Offline Justin B.

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Re: Unlocking Forks
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2009, 01:41:11 AM »
Paint shop?
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline Lucky_Lou

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Re: Unlocking Forks
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2009, 03:14:32 PM »
i had to drill mine out i bought a new one just in case ......i rides in my jacket pocket as ive not got round to re fitting it my guess is it will stay there.
Lou
Ask questions later

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Unlocking Forks
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2009, 03:33:35 PM »
Was the bike on the side stand when you had your lock problem ?

There is the possibility of gas cap problems with the R65 as well, when you tighten up the cap after refueling, don't twist the cap until it clicks, like the fuel caps on 4 wheelers of the same vintage .

If you do get the problem, where the cap just spins, you need to apply upward force on the folding part of the cap to get the cap to catch and then unscrew .
« Last Edit: July 20, 2009, 03:36:29 PM by Bob_Roller »
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!