My key, My key...where is my key?

Well, after owning my XJ900 for the last 4 years and only having one key and always telling myself I really should get a spare cut...

Washed the bike on the weekend, checked the tires, made sure all was well and locked the steering and went inside on Saturday evening.

Sunday afternoon decided it'd be a good idea to fill up the tank for the start of the week and went to where I ALWAYS put the key...and it wasn't there.

There followed a fruitless search for over 2 hours, turning the house upside down, looking everywhere, flinging clothes in the air, looking under the washing machine. To no avail. The little gremlins took it and hid it on me. What to do...spend time taking the ignition barrel off the front of the bike to take it to a locksmith. Sounds like a lot of work and wasted time.

Plan B! The seat lock. Unbolted a couple of screws that holds the seat lock in place and took that to the locksmith hoping that the keying pattern is exactly the same as the ignition/steering lock mechanism. He said, sometimes the seat lock may be a little different (for security reasons) but still work with the ignition key. Anyway, got the key cut, he seemed confident from the information he was able to obtain that it should work in the ignition.

And it did! Whew! Now, today, I'm going back there and getting a SPARE made. Maybe 2!

Such a simple solution but when things go bad, sometimes we overlook the obvious and look at the most complex solution like having to take the ignition barrel off. Take a deep breath, have a glass of wine and contemplate the options. Sometimes there's a much simpler solution.

Ride safe.

 

Where did you see the key last, I just have to ask.

There is a number under ignition. take that number to a locksmith or a dealer and a couple of keys made

For the record I HATE keys!!!!

 

You need all day to take-off the stuff you'd need to pull to get the Number off the Ignition on a 900.

Take your Key back to the Locksmith.

Have him cut you a "Credit Card Spare Key"
You'll always have one in your wallet.

Unless you lose your wallet.

 

You need all day to take-off the stuff you'd need to pull to get the Number off the Ignition on a 900.

Take your Key back to the Locksmith.

Have him cut you a "Credit Card Spare Key"
You'll always have one in your wallet.

Unless you lose your wallet.

 

Not being smart here but the last time I saw my key was...in my hand on Saturday afternoon, just after I put the bike on it's side stand and locked the steering.

I'm sure I put it in my pocket after that but...must be age...my memory just fades to grey at that point.

In my mind's eye I can see the key in my hand and then, just like in a movie, it starts to fade and become invisible.

Spare keys will be obtained today. One for my wallet, and one to keep at home. Now, what could possibly go wrong with that arrangement...go wrong...go wrong...?

 

I keep a spare inside th right crankcase cover and an allen key in my jacket.
But don't tell any one.

 

Lesson learned years ago. First thing I do when buying a vehicle is get extra keys made for it. I've always carried an extra key on me for my bikes when riding (never know!)
I found out by accident that my old Nissan truck key will fit the ignition on my 750 Seca and start it! Who's have thought? A lock pick will also start your bike, but it's hard to do unless your experienced at it.

 

The factory key has a number on it. That number is the key code. Write the number on the title to the bike. If you lose the key just take the title to the locksmith and they will make a new one. Just don't lose the title!! A locksmith gave me the idea years ago when I had spares made.

 

I know what I'm going to be riding around next time I'm in Aussy... lol




But seriously, I had the same problem. Twice.

Last year I lost my key and took the ignition cylinder off and brought it to a locksmith to have a key cut. At the time, I only had the money for one key with me, so I only got one key cut. I kept saying that I should make another copy but never did. Guess what just happened... I lost it again. Luckily, I was able to see the code without taking the ignition cylinder off so I just took the code to the locksmith. This time I had 2 keys cut.

 

The best part of losing your memory is you can hide your own Easter eggs!!!!!!

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. A spare inside the right crankcase cover sounds like a perfect secure solution. Just have to remember to keep an Allen key with me...now where did I put that Allen Key!!!

At least now I feel I'm not alone and maybe it's just a temporary lapse of memory...

Hey Dude...where'd I park my bike??!

 

You could keep the Allen key in the toolbox under the seat. I don't really think any thieves are going to put that together...