Key won't turn past 'off'???

[on2wheels]

Hey Guys,
went to start the bike this morning and the key got stuck in the 'off' position. It won't go back into the 'lock' position either. I sat there for 10 mins trying carefully and even tried the spare key as well but no luck. I am thinking and hoping that it just needs a little lubrication but I didn't have time to stuff around with it or I would be even more late to work. I have heard that WD40 is not the right thing to be using in ignition barrells. Any ideas on what to use or do?

[TadMC]

Do you have your wheel straight?

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

yeah.. it should only go into lock if your bars are at full lock left (don't know if it works at full lock right.. but it doesn't matter, cuz locking it at full right would be stupid anyway)

[on2wheels]

Yeah mate tried everything. I am hoping that the lock is just dry and that I haven't damaged it. I might call a locksmith and see what they recommend to lubricate it. Hopefully I can get it working  .

[rangerbrown]

wd-40 id fine i use it my self for all stuff like this

[TadMC]

Is 3 in 1 oil a good lubricant for motorsport kinda stuff

[TadMC]

also what is the device that locks the ingition,  What I mean is, when the wheel is cocked left, what is it that makes it unable to turn to on.  Maybe thats whats wrong

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

For an ignition, I'd recommend a graphite based lubricant, as they don't attract and trap dust and dirt like wd-40 does

[ajgs500]

Have you pushed down while turning???

[on2wheels]

Thanks for the replies. I will try and get hold of some graphite powder and hopefully get it working. Will let you know how I go.

[NWDave]

For an ignition, I'd recommend a graphite based lubricant, as they don't attract and trap dust and dirt like wd-40 does

Ditto, graphite is what you use in locks.  Powered if you can take it apart or get in there good and well enough with causeing build up.

[NWDave]

oh ya be warned that the powered stuff gets everywhere... wear some latex gloves.

[Queso]

My key gets a little sticky at times, what has worked for me and others is to turn the wheel all the way to the left, turn the key to lock and then back to on. For some reason it slips past "off" better that way.

[Kasumi]

I think the worst thing that ever happend to me with an ignition was on a freezing cold day i was forced to wash the salt off my bike. Stupidly i didnt leave the key in the ignition id taken it out and jet washed the bike and washed it. Went off to work and did about 4 hours work, came out and it was freezing below 0. You guessed it i had blasted water into the ignition and frozen the thing solid, At first i couldn't get my key in and thought id broken something, then i pushed hard and heard a crack and the key went in a little further. I managed to get the key back out because it was already sticking to the ice in my lock and felt the end it was cold. This is what really told me it was frozen. I grabbed some WD40 and pumped the lock with it, then using my gas lighter heated my key up. Took about 4 rounds of a hot key and the lock came free. Bloody annoying pain in the arse. WD40 works ok on locks, if its nothing permanat then it should be fine. You prolly wouldn't use WD40 as a permanat lube and i don't think it was intended for that, its just a quick lube which tends to wash off quite easily and quickly, thats why its used so widely in garages to release stuck bolts. Bit of WD40 on there with a bigger wrench that sorta thing.

[sledge]

It wont be the lock barrel or its internals thats seized, try lubricating the pin that locks the headrace.