Replacing Ignition Lock & Key

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crusadersports

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G Day Chaps,

The igntion lock on my Mk3 needs replacing because I can get the key out with the Ign switched on. Imagine the consequences.... :roll:

Looking at the manual, it suggests the lock has a spring operated plunger which can be depressed with an old spoke. Hey Presto, you shake out the old lock and in with the new.

Has anyone done this?
 
Yes. The hole is in the side of the switch under the rubber boot. The lock will pop out.

Russ
 
crusadersports said:
Looking at the manual, it suggests the lock has a spring operated plunger which can be depressed with an old spoke. Hey Presto, you shake out the old lock and in with the new.
Click to expand...


If I remember correctly, I think the key needs to be in the lock barrel before it can be extracted from the switch?
(different type switch shown in the photo, but same lock barrel):
Replacing Ignition Lock & Key
 
I saw something the other day, you can get the steering lock and ignition keyed the same. Maybe Eurojambalya or Commando Specialties. As long as you're changing one, you might as well do the other.

Dave
69S
 
Thanks Gents!

Crickey LAB, your 'photo' standing starts are incredible :mrgreen: Much obliged.

I presume that's with the key in the 'off' position?
 
crusadersports said:
I presume that's with the key in the 'off' position?
Click to expand...

Yes, I think so. Whichever way, the pin must line up with the hole.
 
You can make the Steering lock key fit the ignition by sticking the key in the extracted ign tumbler. File wafers flush as in LAB's picture. To make a old lock work with a new key: Drill a new hole in line with keyhole (look at relationship of pin and keyhole in picture) and extract tumbler with a pick. Insert new key and file wafers flush. Replace the tumbler and be sure to silly-cone or plug holes.

Mike
 
crusadersports said:
How does one remove the steering lock barrel?
Click to expand...

The Mk3 steering lock should be held in position by a small roll pin pressed into the side of the lock boss underneath the yoke. The Mk3 steering lock has to be knocked downwards to remove it which is the opposite way to previous model Commando steering locks, the Mk3 has a Neiman* type lock, so takes a different key blank to the ignition switch.

*(some 850 Mk2/2As were supposed to have had Neiman steering locks-according to the Mk2/2A parts list, but I've never known anyone to say their 2/2A had a Neiman steering lock?)
 
Sorry about the mis-info, I had forgotten that the key for steering lock would not work for the ignition. I could swear that we use to do that...but then there's alot of thing that I swear I use to do...I think.

Mike
 
My ignition key will fit in my steering lock and visa versa. However, the ignition key has a wide body to it and will not let the steering lock go down into the recess. If I could re-key my ignition to the steering lock key, it would probably work for both. So you are probably remembering correctly for the early bikes anyhow.

Dave
69S
 
You might want to look at this. I used to work for Lucas on Marine and Industrial side and we sold a lot of these and the heavy duty truck type key switches. They would last forever until water got into them. That and contact wear was the weak point. Just did this mod last month and makes for a real quality feel to the operation. http://www.nocnsw.org.au/igntn.html
 
This is a pretty timely posting. I just got a new lock and key for my '70 Commando after the tumber came out with the key once when I stopped to get gas. Since then I just left the key in it figuring that anyone stealing it wouldn't be able to kick start it and if they had a truck it was gone anyway.

Greg
 
I just had to exchange a defective new ignition switch for the same reason (tumbler comes out with the key). The defect was that the hole in the switch (the one that is supposed to engage with the locking pin on the tumbler) was drilled out-of-position. There may be a batch of them out there! Jim P.

Replacing Ignition Lock & Key
 
My ignition key will fit in my steering lock and visa versa. However, the ignition key has a wide body to it and will not let the steering lock go down into the recess. If I could re-key my ignition to the steering lock key, it would probably work for both. So you are probably remembering correctly for the early bikes anyhow.

Dave
69S
Click to expand...

Yea, I'm really confused now. I just ran out to my gray bike and my ignition key works for the steering lock! BUT when I looked at the steering lock the rollpin has been replaced with a setscrew and the lock itself doesn't look like the one on my other bikes!?! The width of the hole isn't exactly the same. I had to be the one to do it as I'm the only one who ever touched the bike, but for the life of me I can not remember what the hell I did! You know the old saying that I have forgotten more than you'll ever know? Well, I have forgotten more than I know I ever knew?! :roll:
 
Having just purchased my '71 I do not have a key for it. My friend parked it 15 years ago and has the key "somewhere". Is there a way to get the cylinder out of the bike without a key?
Thanks MikeM
 
Hello Chaps,

Just to confirm what LAB suggests concerning the MK3 Nieman steering lock. I tried the Igntion key in mine today and it doesn't fit. Makes me realise wny I've never used the steering lock...I've never had a separate key for it. And if I want to change I will need to get a new Steering lock, having just got a new Ign lock and key already from RGM :roll:

Is there anyway of matching up ign and steering lock keys on the MK3 or are they condemned to splendid isolation?

Makes you wonder if they came with 2 different keys from new....

Many thanks Gents
 
MikeM,
Any competent locksmith should be able to pick it. Or look it up in google. There is a lot of info on picking standard locks. Once apart, a key can be made easily. Or it might just be easier and cheaper to buy a new ignition switch, or hot wire it.

Dave
69S
 
crusadersports said:
Makes you wonder if they came with 2 different keys from new....
Click to expand...


Well....yes....as the locks are different types! :wink:

The Neiman steering lock key blank is the same type as used for 70s-80s BMW motorcycle steering, ignition and seat locks.> post45468.html
[Edit] There are long and short key blanks for the Neiman locks (see photo link in the other 45468 post thread) the long version key must be used in the Mk3 Commando steering lock.

(And don't forget there's a seat lock too)
 
MikeM said:
Having just purchased my '71 I do not have a key for it. My friend parked it 15 years ago and has the key "somewhere". Is there a way to get the cylinder out of the bike without a key?
Thanks MikeM
Click to expand...
Take it to a lockshop. Tell them it's an Aston Martin or early Jag key blank, unless you have after market stuff. They will cut a new key that that matches the original. No need to replace anything, unless what you have is crap. This will be much less than OEM replacement.
 
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