Key Problem. Only "ON" and "OFF" .. can't "LOCK"

[905mike]

1999 GS500E.

my key only goes into "ON" and "OFF"position.
I'd like to get it to "LOCK".

the manual says ""LOCK" Position. To lock the steering, turn the handlebar all the way to the left. Push down and turn the key to the "LOCK" position and remove the key.


i tried following the instructions but it doesn't work.  i can push down on the key but it won't go from "OFF" to "LOCK".

can someone here offer some advice on what i may be doing wrong here?

Thanks.

[pizza]

Try pushing bars all the way to the left, then just a little back to the right like 1/4 inch.. or kinda wiggle it when in left position while turning key.. When I got my 04gsxr600 I had a problem too lol.

[ajaxgs]

+1

[Teek]

Yup, I have to do the wiggle too. Watch out you don't go all the way around to the parking light setting and leave it there and flatten your battery, lock is one step back from that position.

[lewismug]

When I purchased my bike mine wouldn't go into the lock position either.  the p.o. had laid it down on the right side and it actually bent the stop.  I had to dremel the right side of the stop so it would allow the bars to travel far enough for the lock mechanism to engage.

[ben2go]

Try a little penatrating lube on the underside of the lock.Wiggle the key helps while slowly turning the handle bars to the left.Worked for me.

[905mike]

Thanks, guys!
yup, all i needed to do was move it a fraction of an inch away from fully-turned-to-the-left-position at the key slipped nicely and smoothly into the "LOCKED" position.

A million thanks from a newbie (to GS500's and biking generally) ... thanks! thanks! thanks! thanks! ....

[jp]

I never bother with the steering lock. If someone wants to take the bike, it will slow them down for about 5 seconds.

[margan_ron]

try to spray some WD40.
happend to me after some rainy days.

[905mike]

I never bother with the steering lock. If someone wants to take the bike, it will slow them down for about 5 seconds.

yeah, that's why i normally just leave the key in the ignition when i park it.
if they want it .. it's gonzo.
seen the vid on youtube where a nice CBR600 is gone in under 20 seconds via a white cargo van?

[Ronin]

Most of the time I just turn my forks so it looks locked.Like you said if they want it bad enough,lock won't slow them much.Although 9mm may slow them a little more

[wreckhog]

I never bother with the steering lock. If someone wants to take the bike, it will slow them down for about 5 seconds.

yeah, that's why i normally just leave the key in the ignition when i park it.
if they want it .. it's gonzo.
seen the vid on youtube where a nice CBR600 is gone in under 20 seconds via a white cargo van?

Actually, there is an even better youtube vid where the guy sits on the bike and breaks the steering locking with his feet in less time than it took to type this. Followed by a vid where he comes back and rolls it away on foot.