Broken seat lock

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

So a while back I snapped the key off in the seat lock.  Twice actually, I managed to break both my keys within days of each other.  The first time it happened I managed to get some plyers onto the key and pull it out, the second time I couldn't remove it, but the key was still aligned in the lock, allowing me to turn it with a screwdriver.

So after a few months of opening my seat lock with my leatherman I finally managed to push the key in too far, and now it's just jamming up the lock.  This is a bit of a problem as my battery is getting weak, so if the bike doesn't start first go I then have to push start it.

I can get a new seat lock and key set from a wrecker easily enough, it's a different key to the ignition anyway so I don't care if it matches.  How would I go about removing the old one with minimal damage to the rest if the bike?

Sorry if this is inappropriate, someone usually gets uppity about posting theft skills online whenever a busted lock question gets posted.

[sledge]

Run a 8mm drill through the barrel.

[Kerry]

Assuming that you do swap out your seat lock, and you'd rather carry one key than two, check out this old thread:

     Finally had a key made!

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

I'd forgotten the tumblers only need one side of the key, that's genius.  I actually quite like having two different keys when I'm working on the bike, I find I often want to pop the seat off while the key's in the ignition.  To be honest I'd happily replace the seat lock with a push button arrangement.

The drill's looking good about now.

[adidasguy]

It is super simple to open the seat lock and move around the 4 wafers so your key will work - or just leave in one or two or no wafers at all.

You can stick your key in it then go over the wavers that stick up with a file. File them smooth with the cylinder and your key will work. Well, probably other keys would, too, but what's there to steal under a seat?

I've done both of the above for seat locks for various people's bikes.

[Dizzledan]

Sorry if this is inappropriate, someone usually gets uppity about posting theft skills online whenever a busted lock question gets posted.

I cant believe you guys. You are aiding and abetting a potential serial seat stealer here. I mean we don't know if this guy is telling the truth or not. How would you feel if you went out to your favorite bike for a ride and your seat was missing?

All kidding aside, I'm a fan of eliminating the seat lock totally and having a cable pull on. Like you said, its convienient to be able to have one key in the ignition, and not futz around with taking it out to hang a helmet or grab my cable ties.

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

I cant believe you guys. You are aiding and abetting a potential serial seat stealer here. I mean we don't know if this guy is telling the truth or not. How would you feel if you went out to your favorite bike for a ride and your seat was missing?

Found this while reading through my old threads.  I never got why the mods changed my profile to "serial seat stealer"  I did eventually get a flat battery, and then drop the bike while push starting it.  That was a rubbish morning.  After that I gave up for three years.  I have since removed the lock and put a ring on the end of the cable.