Howdy everyone,
I'm a new GS500E owner ('89). It's my first bike--had it for only about three weeks--, and I'm enjoying it immensely. I was, anyway, until about an hour ago, when the one flimsy key I had damn near broke! I've done some searching on previous topics/posts, and I have gotten some good info., but I want to cut to the chase, if at all possible.

Does anyone know a good recourse in the Atlanta area to get a key made? I have the original, and it is (barely) in one piece. I'm not quite up to the task of putting in a new ignition, etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Look forward to reading/writing more.

\cchocjr

same thing happened to me:  bought my '89 in june and just a couple of weeks ago i noticed that my original key was on the brink of snapping in two.  luckily, i made a copy right after i took ownership.  bad thing was that i was not close to home so i had to catch a ride in my bf's car all the way home and drive back with my copy to pick up my bike.

good luck making a copy.

Thanks. I actually just stumbled across a fellow's website who pretty much operates an online motorcycle locksmith shop. After giving him the year, make, and model, I'll send him a few snaps of my key, and he will recreate it for $30 shipped (plus $5 per key beyond the first, which I will pursue).

Yeah, I made a copy as soon as I got my bike, too. But the f***er doesn't work, and I broke it in exasperation.

Well, now to see why my bike's petcock has to be in 'prime' to run, and sputters and gasps when it is on 'on.'

Joy!

\cchocjr

I broke my key just a few weeks ago. I disassembled the gas cap where part of the key was stuck, got it out, brought both pieces to local locksmith and got two brand new keys in less then 5 min for $10. so I'd look into some local locksmithes before wasting $35 for online guy who'd recreate the keys from the pics instead of the original key (if I got it right :dunno: )

When I bought my bike it only came with one key, so I went to ACE hardware and got two more made for like $5.00 or something like that.

And yes they work

I would prefer to find someone locally, but my limited understanding is that locksmiths keep weird hours. I work 8-5 M-F, and then take classes until about 8, except for Friday, and really can't make it to a lot of businesses within their posted hours. I will look into it some more, though. Actually, my first course of action is to call the dealership where I bought the bike from and see if they can help me out or, at least, recommend someone to go to.

Thanks

\cchocjr

Just call any locksmith in the phone book and if they will come to you ( most will know matter the hour) and they will make you a key on the spot.  Had to do that after leaving a bar at 3 am.

Yeah, I'm just being impatient, I suppose. When I got my bike, I got a copy made at wal-mart--which doesn't work. Would Ace hardware be able to handle a nearly broken key? I don't want to mess it up any more than it is. It is just barely together.

Thanks for the suggestions--keep 'em comin'.

\cchocjr

Whoa man, just call your local locksmith.  If you were nearby, I would do it for you if you brought me the key.  I can usually make a new working key from your mostly broken one.  Mobile locksmiths like me will come out and make you a key, 24/7.  

Do not pay some yahoo $30 to make you a key over the web.  If you must, send it to me and I'll do it for like $4.

Aaron
Accurate Mobile Locksmith

You only had one copy of your key too? This may be a problem if you don't have working key. I thought you were just tring to get a spare.

Yes. This was why I was/am thinking that I will have to resort to drastic measures (without replacing the damned ignition).

\cchocjr

You could always hot wire it for now on.  

Believe me. The thought crossed my mind. I have the slightest clue, however, and didn't think asking the forum would be tolerated.

Drastic times...


\cchocjr

dude, look in the phone book for local guys, and go over there on your lunch break and have a key made.  or go to the stealer and you can have one made to fit your bike but it will be closer to 50 bones. instead of 5-10 oh and if they don't have suzuki blanks instock, nissan used the same profile for one of thier series of locks.

Ironically I work at Ace hardware and attempted to make a copy yesterday. You need a SUZ 10 or 11 blank, which we didnt carry or were out of for some reason. But if they have that then they should be able to do it. Dont let them try to use a SUZ 14 or SuZ 15 because I tried one nd they wont work. As far as a broken key it depends on how much of it is left. If its the inch or so long part w/ the grooves on it I think they probally could, or atleast I could w/ our machine...

-ash

I'll try looking around for local locksmiths while at work (if I can get away with it), and see if there's one close enough to go to on lunch. This problem needs to be remedied by this weekend!

\cchocjr

Ask your local Suzuki dealer which local locksmith makes keys for motorcycles.    Mine gave me the number of this old-time locksmith shop at the end of a strip mall.   The owner was at least 70, with a couple of other guys working the counter, and they REALLY knew their trade!   Made me a couple of working keys in a few minutes, $5 each.     Don't bother with Home Depot or Wal-mart, they make house keys and car keys.  

I got the number for a local locksmith via the place I bought my bike from. I got in touch with him, and he happened to be on a call right down the road. I went over there to see him and, he realised, he was not in his shop van. He did say that he could help me out, but that it would be $25 for the first key, and $5 per each additional one. Perhaps I'm getting screwed, but I don't really care. There is no one in the area who works on motorcycle keys! Every place I called either doesn't work on bike keys, or says flat out that it can't be done, or that you have to go to the dealership. If I can, I will meet the guy again tomorrow, and get this over with so I can RIDE.

\cchocjr

how are motorcycle keys different from just a regular key?

the guy I went to first wanted to make a key of a huge car template (or whatever you call these things), but when I told him it looks kinda big, he searched for a second and produced a smaller one... so I got an impression that motorcycle key is not something special and can be made out of different "templates". it was a mobile locksmith and he used a regular equipment and he recreated the key from two pieces of a broken key just by putting them together in a vice. so I am just curious if I was just lucky? :dunno:

Just to follow up, I did get a number from a the dealership where I bought my bike (actually, from the friend who works at the dealership), and, after a few false starts, he produced two working copies. He actually didn't really use the original key at all. Using his laptop, which seemed to be hooked into some proprietary locksmith database (?), and a bunch of oldish manuals, he reverse engineered the Suzuki keycode from the arrangement of cuts in the key (their depth, sequence, and relationship to one another), and cut it according to the keycode it matched. The keys are much sturdier, too. Now time to start hunting for boots and pants. Thanks for everyone's input.

This website is awesome! I feel very fortunate to have bought a bike that has such a vibrant user community around it.

\cchocjr