Dang it. I just bought 05' GS500F this year and already lost one of the two keys that came with. Based on my manual, I have to use some identifying number (which I have) to get a replacement key. Is that mean that the key is specialized and therefor I need to go through the dealer to get one or can I just get a copy from Wal-mart since I still have the other key? If I have to go through the dealer, how much would they charge? I really don't want to pay them anymore after paying close to $5000 for the bike two months ago. Help anyone?
I went to two hardware stores and neither of them had the correct blank. I don't know if it's super hard to find or if I was just unlucky. I'm sure that you can get a blank from a suzuki dealer for like $1 or so and then if they don't have the machine to make copies, any hardware store with the machine will be able to make the copy for you and they shouldn't charge you more than $1. This is probally cheaper and faster than ordering one through Suzuki.
i got 2 keys, and a black tag on the keyring, that tag has the 4 digit number on it or so.
I believe volvo keys work on it.. search for it. or look up pablos site.
Go to a locksmith, and duplicate your key with this key blank:
Ilco X241 SUZ18 - That's what my two non-OEM keys say.
Make sure you can start the bike with it, as well as open the fuel tank and seat lock. One key I had made wouldn't open the fuel tank, so I would've been stranded if I didn't live so close.
I have a mate who works in one of those shoe-repair, engraving and key cutting places he says "usually" a Volvo blank does it.
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I was picking up a part at the honda dealer once and asked about getting an extra key made... I gave him my insurance card with the VIN and he cut me a key and gave me the four digit code all for under three bucks...
I asked the ford dealer about getting a replacement for my van... $108 Damn PATS system!
Thanks guys, I will check with the volvo dealer.
Yeah I just had a replacement made yesterday. I lost my second one also. I went to Home Depot but after it was made, it wouldn't fit the ignition, Returned it. So I went to a locksmith and after about 30 seconds, wam bam, got one for 3 bucks, works perfectly.
AND like the other's said : Make sure it fits the seat lock and the tank.
No, don't check with the Volvo dealer. Older Volvo's typically use a VL8 key, the new ones are all sidewinder high security, while GS's use a SUZ18. As a former GS owner, current Volvo owner, and a LOCKSMITH, just go to a local lock shop and have them duplicate your current working key. Save the tag with the code. In a situation where you have lost all your keys, we can use that # to make a key from scratch. It might even be good to write it down somewhere unless you lose a key while out of town away from your spare.
On the average it will cost you about $200 to get keys made from scratch for a bike, making a key from that code? About $20.
I had a similar problem i posted about a couple of weeks ago. i ended up going to a locksmith and they definitely had a blank for me. It cost ~$5
I agree with aplitz, don't check with the Volvo dealer. Even if it worked, it'd probably be more expensive anyway. Like I said earlier, go to your local locksmith, and it won't cost you but $3 a key.
Don't go to a chain store, they usually don't have the right blanks. My first key that didn't work was made at a Home Depot.
Quote from: xtalmanDon't go to a chain store, they usually don't have the right blanks.
If you want blank looks, go to Home Despot or Lowe's. 'Round here, go to McLendon's. I haven't tried them for a GS key yet, but they made a BMW key in minutes that had all of the chain stores going 'duh.' They also have an actual selection of metric nuts and bolts.
Two things... One, how are you using such a huge avatar pic when the site only allows 100x100 pixels? Second, the replacement key doesn't have to be the exact blank as the original as many are quite interchangable. Some require slight modification like cutting the shoulder back a tad or trimming off the end a mm or two but usually just as long as the key goes into the lock, chances are if it's cut it'll work. In fact, I used a Yamaha key blank for my 05 GS500F and it worked. I used a YU-1 and just cut the shoulders back a hair and it works like a charm. It's an old key blank, too that's been around for a while so these places that don't know how to cut keys except by matching the number should have that blank and be able to cut you a key. Any good place will be able to eyeball the key and find you something else other than a Suzuki blank to fit.
Oh, btw the black ID tag that's on your keyring is a code # and generally (for the sake of ease) requires a special key machine. It's quite simple really, just insert the keyblank and input the code and the machine automatically cuts the key based on the code. I believe the code is just the position of the pins in the lock and not just some code that gets translated to YOUR bike specifically.
BTW, do _NOT_ go to the dealer at any cost. They rape you completely. MOST keyblanks cost less than 50 cents at wholesale. 50 cents is even pretty high for a key by most standards. Keys with chips and stuff do cost anywhere from $1-2 to 15$ just for the blank itself so paying $25-30 for a key with a chip wouldn't be a bad price. Anyways, moral of the story is... Any good locksmith will be able to fabricate a key to fit for you if the "correct" blank is unavailable. I usually have to fabricate at least a few keys per day and our prices don't change. $1 for all single sided keys and $1.50-$2 for all double sided keys. We even cut keys that are brought to us in 2-3 peices! :)
btw, a key takes only a few seconds to cut. if anyone tries to tell you it'll be any longer... they don't know wtf they're doing.
I lost my spare too. Went to lowes and they didnt have the correct blanks. Went to the dealer and he made me a new one for free in about 2 mins. If you just bought your bike and you go back there for a key they shouldnt be charging you much or at all.
My key is bent (came that way) and it's the only one I've got. It works alright, but sometimes it gets hung up in the ignition. I don't want a plain bare-metal key, though. Where can I get a blank that has the plastic protector on it?
I just read a thread on this a few weeks ago, has anyone searched?
I think it came down to new keys w/ the black plastic on the end were 10$ from dealer not too sure, but if you search it should come up
To answer both of you guys, you can have your key duplicated if it's bent. It's no problem because when the key is put into the jaws of the keymachine it won't be bent anymore. Next, keys with the rubber head don't cost very much more; Only a few cents over a regular key. The only difference between the two is the rubber head. It isn't a special key or any more durable or anything at all... Just personal preferance.
Thanks guys, I finally made my decision to goto a local locksmith instead of the dealer. I will let you guys know the outcome.
About the pic on my left.... I don't now how I was able to post such a huge pic but it worked. Maybe b/c she is so hot and they let me? :cheers:
Resize it, dude.
YOu may need to ask the locksmith to order the correct blank with a plastic head if that is what you desire. In this case, the key would be a SUZ18-P. Several other blanks will cross over, but I rarely recommend making a key work by modifying the shoulders. Anyway, just let your locksmith do his/her thing.
Quote from: aplitzI rarely recommend making a key work by modifying the shoulders.
Why's that? We've cut keys for over 40 years and there's really no reason (that I can think of) as to why it's detrimental so maybe I'm missing something hehe. Sometimes the only difference between blanks is a slight difference in length or different shoulders. Of course, everything else could be alike but if the key is simply too thick it won't go in, either and in that case... I don't have the patience to modify the key that much. :P
I don't think bent keys would be hard to duplicate with a good locksmith. One guy I went to, I handed him my car key, he looked at it, then handed it back to me. Then he went over to his machine and cut me a duplicate, without physically using my key as a template. Maybe one of the locksmiths here can tell us how he pulled off that magic trick.
Quote from: phire[ Why's that? We've cut keys for over 40 years and there's really no reason (that I can think of) as to why it's detrimental so maybe I'm missing something hehe.
If there is a blank that fits correctly, I don't believe in drastically modifying an incorrect blank just because is all I have. I don't like to give my customers a key that has essentially been rigged to work. In my opinion it is a compromised part.
As far as the locksmith cutting the key without using your original I am not sure what he did. Possibly the key had the original code # stamped on it and he used a code machine to originate another one. Or, it was a key type he was very familiar with, and knew the cuts by sight. Really, I don't see any reason to do this, if there is a working key, but some guys like to challenge their skills to stay sharp.
or you could just save yourself the hassle and not loose your keys. i found that to be a better answer to the problem.
Quote from: aplitzQuote from: phire[ Why's that? We've cut keys for over 40 years and there's really no reason (that I can think of) as to why it's detrimental so maybe I'm missing something hehe.
If there is a blank that fits correctly, I don't believe in drastically modifying an incorrect blank just because is all I have. I don't like to give my customers a key that has essentially been rigged to work. In my opinion it is a compromised part.
It is compromised, however, I personally just don't see the problem if it works 100% as good as the original. Especially if it's a rare blank, you're saving the customer hassle by driving around to inexperienced locksmiths who only know a key by its # and having them get shot down until they give up and go to the dealer. Nine times out of ten, customers have praised me for "being the only one in town" who was able to cut a duplicate for their "rare lock." But you're right that there is a blank for every key in existance, but I don't think there are very many shops that stock every single key. Most good locksmiths carry the bulk of them and most carry pretty much the same inventory. At least around here they do.
But anyways, it's still rare that I ever have to cut a shoulder back or something even if I use the "wrong" blank. Half the time too customers bring in keys that are duplicates of the original and a lot of times too when you go to duplicate it, you can see that it wasn't the original blank which usually ends up being a common key.
BTW, I do commend you for wanting to do a proper job and I myself do send people down the street to other locksmiths that I know that most likely have the blank that I'm out of, but I also don't hesitate to modify a key if a customer is frustrated and has already been "everywhere else" in town.
Quote from: aplitzYOu may need to ask the locksmith to order the correct blank with a plastic head if that is what you desire. In this case, the key would be a SUZ18-P. Several other blanks will cross over, but I rarely recommend making a key work by modifying the shoulders. Anyway, just let your locksmith do his/her thing.
Good news! I finally got the new key made at a local locksmith. It's been tested and works great. Paid little over $3 for it. It's just a metal key without the plastic head but heck, it works and that's all I need. The locksmith said that it helped though when I told him that the blank key I needed was SUZ 18-P. Thanks to you aplitz.
samhkang-
No problem, I'm glad that it worked out. Make sure you always have a spare around its pricey to originate new ones if you lose you last one.
U@
Ouch, sorry to hear about your traumatic experience with the stealership. :( Under no circumstances should anyone ever charge over $5 to duplicate a standard key like the one for your Suzuki. Cost of the blank is 10 to 80 cents depending on the supplier and if anyone who cuts keys is paying more than that... Find another supplier. :) As far as filing the machine down............ I think he's just bsing you. I doubt with all the money that the stealerships have that they can't afford a decent set of jaws for their key machine or heck, a decent key machine period. Seriously, just go to your local locksmith of your choice, save yourself a few bucks and most of them will cut it while you watch. It's not a difficult process by any means.
Quote from: phireSeriously, just go to your local locksmith of your choice, save yourself a few bucks and most of them will cut it while you watch. It's not a difficult process by any means.
Yup! That's what I did. No plastic head though... A simple metal key, works great. It took them less than a minute to cut.
a dealer can cut keys either by the vin or by a code that is on your ignition. its not hard to find and they only charge about 8 bucks at my local dealer. may not be as cheap as the 3-5 dollar deals but a straight shot to the dealer makes for less gas, and lets face it these fuel prices that doesnt hurt.
Quote from: bargovicI lost my spare too. Went to the dealer and he made me a new one for free in about 2 mins. If you just bought your bike and you go back there for a key they shouldnt be charging you much or at all.
I guess i just have a nice dealer.
Quote from: bargovicQuote from: bargovicI lost my spare too. Went to the dealer and he made me a new one for free in about 2 mins. If you just bought your bike and you go back there for a key they shouldnt be charging you much or at all.
I guess i just have a nice dealer.
Yeah, I'd have to agree. :) Just burns me to see people expect to pay $30-100 to have a key duplicated...
I hear people using phrases and perpetuating myth's so I feel that its my duty as a locksmith to help.
Duplicating a key involves taking your existing key and using it as a pattern to create a new one. While this process requires a special machine that costs $1000+, we locksmiths have made that investment already and only charge ~$3 for a double cut key like for the GS.
Originating a key is necesecary when you have no key for us to use as a pattern. In some cases, we can use the manufacturer's code to make a key. If you have the code, we must then look it up in an expensive computer program, and use a different $1200+ machine to make the key. This should cost ~$20.
If you don't have the code we have to disassemble the bike to a degree that we can find the code, or use other means to originate a key, such as removing and decoding the lock by hand. Most manufacturers no longer link key code and VIN, and if they do, they most likely will not give this info to a locksmith.
In this situation, prices can vary wildely from $120-400. In fact, average pricing for locksmith services was just published, and originating moto keys was averaged at $350.
Keep in mind that you will pay more for service evenings, weekends and holidays, and more for us to come to you. We are normal people who like to have time off, but if you want me to leave my family on Saturday night I will, but it costs more than it would Monday morning.
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aplitz, if you ever need a new key machine at a good price and don't feel like paying over a grand for a brand new one, I usually have like-new or excellent condition machines pass my way for a couple hundred bucks. $3 is a very fair price for a double sided Suzuki key.
Thanks Phire. I just got a new Silca and a HPC 1200 within the last year. We will probably be getting a Switch Blitz for our new truck. Tryin' to save space ya know.