Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech What's the problem?

I am here at the office ready to go home ~~ and I go out to the bike and I can't get the key to turn in the ignition. I've checked the on / off switch... I've rolled the bike backwards and forwards... I've checked the gears... I've checked everything I know to check... What could the problem be?

Sounds like a stuck tumbler pin in the lock, got any powered graphite? Even a quick shot of the wonderous WD-40 might work.

Maybe a couple of light but sharp raps on it (without the key in it) with a metal wrench or something might loosen the stuck tumbler pins (causing a vibe or shock to the stuck pin).

Sounds like theres a little Gremlin at your office with a bottle of Super Glue!

It's a dirty trick that still leaves many scratching their heads. Some never figure it out.

I had an old girlfriend that Super Glued keys and broke them off in my truck door locks while the glue set. That was expensive.

I let her live... Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

DKW

Stupid question, I know... but, Got the right key?

Yes ~~ I have the right key. I even went home and got the second key ~~ no luck there either. I will try the WD 40 later. I left the motorcycle at the office all night ~~ at least we have an indoor area where it was safe. I am sure that some of the members of the congregation would not be too pleased knowing the bike was in the building.

I would be especially pleased to know there was a bike in my church.Two bikes, even better. I hate to say it, but my first thought was super glue. I'm in charge of the maintenence and repairs of a huge fleet of vehicles. Occasionally one of our operators will offend one of my mechanics and have to pay the price. A couple of drops of super glue in the lockset and that key is never turning again. However, even my guys wouldn't risk eternal damnation by screwing with the revrend's wheels. So it must be something else.

If for some strange reason it is super glue you can coat your key with fingernail polish remover (acetone) and it will dissolve the glue.

Take care with the surrounding areas as acetone is a powerful solvent and will damage plastic and remove paint!!

I called the shop I bought the bike from and since it is still under warranty they are coming out to pick the bike up and take it back to the shop. They should be here soon.

Hey RevRob,

I don't know if you have an America or Speedmaster but, if you go to Ebay right now there is an ignition switch with key listed for $70.00 OBO. These folks may take less. The item number is: 350007364749.

Probably more than you want to spend but it's a fix for your problem.

Good luck.

I had the same problem with the ignition key. For a few times, it worked to flood the keyhole with WD-40, but eventually that didn't work. I ended up replacing the whole switch. It wasn't too hard.

Hey RevRob let us know how you got on I too suspect super glue. Guess we both share the same boss as some people seem to mix us up dont know why.
Blessings
Nigel
P.S Im back on line after a few days off good to back

Another possibility is that there is something down in the switch that is preventing the key from seating properly. If the key is the slightest bit away from full insertion, the lock pins will all be out of place.

They took the bike to the shop and they think that the insides of the ignition switch are broken. So they are going to replace it ~~ it will probably be next week or the week after before I get the bike back. Why can we order a part and have it shipped overnight, but it takes a shop a week to get a part it in? One of the great mysteries of life.

Hey Rev, there's got to be a sermon in that.