Power Lock Key

Hi All,
I just got myself an 81 XJ650, and it's got a power lock on it that hasn't been used for ages. I'd like to make some use of it, but I can't get it disengaged from the bike. My main problem is that I don't know if it's siezed or if I'm missing the key. Does anyone know whether or not the power locks were keyed the same as the ignition?
Thanks,
Casey

 

What is a power lock?

 

below the left hand side cover on the maxim is a chain... IRC it has powerlock written on it. It's locked to the frame at the moment...

looking for a picture.

 

I found a side view picture of a seca that appears to have the same lock mechanism.

From what I can tell it is a length of chain in a little cubby... the end of the chain is locked to the frame. You can't get it out without unlocking it. I don't think I ever did unlock it...

 

Mine is keyed the same as my seat lock, fuel cap, and ignition.

I would shoot it full of your favorite bolt loosener ie. PB Blaster, WD40 or something similar. Let it soak some and just keep working the key in and out and try turning it gently.
Good luck

 

Thanks, I'll give that a try! I was mostly concerned about mucking up the key, if it wasn't the right one
Casey

 

I've got some nice high quality penatrating oil at home... we'll put some shop rags around it and give it a blast.

The other thing I need to find is my tub of short bolts... licence plates need mounting properly on both bikes. The cbr's is zip tied!?!

 

Here are a couple pics of the power lock.

 

Xjojo, I would suggest highly that you consider having a couple of spare keys made up before you try to use your only original on the lock just in case you end up buggering up the key.

 

Yeah, I've got a spare in line already, I've just got to get it from Woot first

 

A thought on this.

When I brought the bike, the gas tank cap had been drilled. When trying to get the key to work in the power lock recently it wouldn't slide in all the way - even after freeing it up so it slid in that far easily.

I'm wondering if the PPO (previous previous owner) broke the key off in the lock - needed gas so drilled the lock.

This would also explain perhaps why I had one yamaha key and one cut key.

Any ideas on how to verify this theory? Any way to remove a broken bit of key?

 

A small hook and a lot of patience. I've seen this nifty barbed hook the locksmith uses. Another option is to thin down the profile of a hacksaw blade (side opposite of the teeth) and viola, you have a thin, hooked tool. Expensive way is to pay that nice man at the locksmiths shop to "tuneup" the lock.

 

Locksmiths also use an extraction tool - basically a small diameter wire with spiral groves - it's threaded in along side the broken key and then pulled out hopefully taking the broken key with it!
The lock has to be in the normal position for key insertion/removal, the tumblers inside have to be free ( not gummed up or rusted up ), and usually given a shot of lube prior to using the extraction tool.

 

Fabricate a tool from the heavy gauge copper wire in a short length of Romex cable. Do some "Black-smithing" and make 2 "probes" with sharp points slightly angled to move the key fragment.

You have to slide your picks under each side before moving the fragment.
The idea is to eventually get your picks close to the tip of the key and drag it out.

When you feel like you have it ready to move ... have somebody shoot a shot of WD-40 in there and "massage" it out.

If you get it out and it does work with your key ... you can take your key and the gas cap to a locksmith for fixing the gas cap to work with your key; again.

 

Thanks... I'll have to see what xj jojo wants to do of course.. it is just a mystery that'd I'd like to solve.

 

I had a similar problem with the power lock, and thought I had mis-matched lock and ignition key, but I discovered that the key has to turn only about 1/8th of rotation to unlock. Is the power lock standard issue with an XJ650J? It looks like the plastic cubby holder for the lock chain would hold the tool kit. Does the tool kit live under the seat normally?

 

The chain/lock that came with my XJ550 is still where it was when I bought the bike brand new from the dealer. Hasn't been used but once or twice the first year I owned the bike. It did use the ignition key.

Not sure how secure/strong these chains are? Looks like it might only be a speed bump to a thief.

 

yes the chain lock was issued with most xj's tool kits go under seat. 83 seca 900 there seems to be a box listed in fliche with side covers
550 maxim has a chain box at rear of seat under grab bar.
lock storage differs on the bikes

the ignition gas cap, helmet lock , chain and if you have one chain box all have the same key.
keys are lost over time and things replaced with non matching sets

 

I believe the Powerlock came with almost every early <85 XJ??, I've certainly seen them on Maxims (American) XJ650 Secas (European) XJ750's and all in between......NEVER on the 900/550..but, I might be wrong...
PS I'd never think of using it....too feeble, too skinny to be of any real use (maybe a 'helmet lock?)

 

Never knew it was on the chain XJ's too! (never owned one!)

What about the 900's.....??

 

it just stops someone with out bolt cutters from rolling the bike away and into a van or truck. stearing head lock helps too. nothing is a garentee against theft if someone is determined to steal the bike

 

I dunno.....it always seemed skinny enough that the weight of the bike probably WOULD have snapped it!
Still....a very admirable attempt by Yamaha, certainly in the early 80's.......

I can't think of ONE other manufacturer, who ever gave us a lock/powerlock/disc lock, with our bikes (NOT scooters...).......anyone like to prove me wrong ( again!!)

 

I lived in Chicago area my first year, used it then. Still have the bike, so it must have been some deterrent.

While at work I use the steering lock, but live in small, Midwestern town, so theft isn't too big a problem.

 

90% H-D owners around me short of leaving the key in it and running I think I am a low value target

 

You lot are lucky!!
UK...any major European city....or not so major, I've had bikes with ABUS Granite, German high security chain, and disc lock stolen!!

here in the US...even NY....seems a lot less likely to go missing!!

My last UK bike had immobiliser, disc lock and security chain......kept that.....but then again it WAS a Suzuki !

 

Harley worth thousands or 35 year old XJ worth a few hundred to a thousand...XJ not exactly the prime target.

A chain and/or steering lock would stop joy rider.

That said, a couple years ago, a yellow XJ was stolen from a forum member from his driveway...

 

yes I remember that got it back trashed and fixed it

 

I'd rather have an XJ than a Harley....but, I get your point !!

 

One of my XJ's got stolen, Salford UK......lads had 'ragged' it around the fields for days, funny thing was, after I fixed her back up, she never ran better !!

 

The chains also came on first generation Viragos.

 

A good key smith could pick it then cut a new key for you

 

I would think so....I'm about to take the Seca Tourer to a locksmith, the original Yamaha lockable 'pods' in the fairing, are locked, no key, and no they aren't keyed alike with the ignition...

 

My bike still has this! I was wondering what this was!

Now I need to figure out how to make copies of my 1 and only key for the bike...Lowes/Home Depot's machines can't copy this key

 

You need a real locksmith with a (older) copying (tracing) machine........

 

I'll have to see what options there are in the area, my area mostly only seems to have roaming locksmiths