I got my friendly welder to pop a bead on my Kawasaki sidestand to stop it wacking the mufflier and when I got there on the bike the ignition key was missing.A frantic search found it sitting on the fairing wing in its pouch.I did a quick test and found it now comes out in all 3 spots,off ignition on and accessory.I did have a spare key in the tool roll so not so big a problem.So check your key still locks into you ignition and get a spare for your tool roll,maybe also for lockable petrol caps,saves trouble on trips like we found on a resent run,no names on that one
Loose key
- Thread starter Vince
- Start date
Locks will wear internally quite rapidly with an assortment of keys, pouches or fobs hanging from them!
Years of rattling and jolting will wear away any form of positive stop preventing the key from being removed in the "on" position. I have always only inserted the ignition key in the ignition switch without having an array of keys, good luck charms, fobs, etc hanging on, resulting in the switch being one of the very last original 1974 parts still working on my 3C!
piet
Years of rattling and jolting will wear away any form of positive stop preventing the key from being removed in the "on" position. I have always only inserted the ignition key in the ignition switch without having an array of keys, good luck charms, fobs, etc hanging on, resulting in the switch being one of the very last original 1974 parts still working on my 3C!
piet
Pluses and minuses,Piet.I am on switch number 2,the first developed an intermition electrical connection so I got one off Lance.I have a leather pouch that holds the 3 or 4 other keys I need and stops them rattling on the dash.The single key theory is used by one of the locals and the result was a 3 hour search for his missing key outside a pub in Singleton,200ks into a 600k ride.He finally found it in the liner of his jacket,he had a hole in the pocket.
Yes, Vince, I'm aware of that. Have made a rule of carrying a spare wherever I go, a single key is easy to lose.
I've managed to fit the same switch to my 3 main bikes, no need to find the right key to start off with! Keep one in my wallet at all times, got to be real stupid (or drunk) to lose the key and the wallet at the same time!
The intermittant connections are also often caused by the crap hanging from the inserted key!
piet
I've managed to fit the same switch to my 3 main bikes, no need to find the right key to start off with! Keep one in my wallet at all times, got to be real stupid (or drunk) to lose the key and the wallet at the same time!
The intermittant connections are also often caused by the crap hanging from the inserted key!
piet
Dellortoman
Hero member
- Location
- Tasmania, Australia
If you lose your key, don't spend all day grovelling in the mud. Laverdas are dead easy to hot wire. There are a couple of convenient spots where you can bridge from a live wire to the ignition circuit.
Cheers,
Cam
Cheers,
Cam
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Dellortoman said:
Hi Cam
I think I would be happier if you refrained from posting any exact hotwiring details on a public forum.......... but unfortunately I agree, not tough to hotwire, same as any other 70's motorcycle. My 1978 Kawasaki 650 has exactly three fuses, and the wire needed to tap into to energize the ignition is easily accesible, you wouldn't even need to remove a side cover.... :-X
Paul LeClair
lawrence
Hero member
- Location
- Idaho, USA
Isn't this a reminder that the seat should be locked?
I have always secreted a spare key on my bikes...ok they could be found, but there are some good places a thief will not be likely to bother looking ...'specially as they will be lifting the thing into a van anyway (see last weeks MCN). If you find it at the ILOC AGM within 2 mins you get a free ride
Nick7
Nick7
G
Grant
Guest
Inside the accelerator pumps????
Spider Wales
Hero member
- Location
- Newport South Wales
But hopefully this secreting away of keys wont cause a problem, because the key to the Padlock/Security Device you use to secure your pride and joy, is safely in your pocket!, (you do lock up your Bike don't you?, lock it or lose it! and remember, they are getting worth something now!)
Grant,
Damn , you've sussed it!
Actually, there's no room in there now..because Mr Nairn has re-installed the buggers in complete disregard of my instructions..he's like that you know
And Spider, no reason you can't stash a duplicate lock key too...though could be tricky explaining things to the insurers if found by thieves, I guess. Last year thieves tried to make off with my unlocked DRZ..it had alarm and immobaliser, from manned car park at a bike show. Busted the ignition up, then were chased off by other punters when alarm went off. Had to spend a good few quid getting the whole thing removed after that as it malfunctioned (Meta), but hey, it saved the bike.
Nick7
Damn , you've sussed it!
Actually, there's no room in there now..because Mr Nairn has re-installed the buggers in complete disregard of my instructions..he's like that you know
And Spider, no reason you can't stash a duplicate lock key too...though could be tricky explaining things to the insurers if found by thieves, I guess. Last year thieves tried to make off with my unlocked DRZ..it had alarm and immobaliser, from manned car park at a bike show. Busted the ignition up, then were chased off by other punters when alarm went off. Had to spend a good few quid getting the whole thing removed after that as it malfunctioned (Meta), but hey, it saved the bike.
Nick7
