Hey Guys.   It's been a long time since I've posted, but I have to admit I still check out the discussion board to get my fix, even if I don't sign on.  Well now that I'm back in the good old U.S.A. I get to ride my baby GS.  Unfortunately my brother lost my bike key and the spare    You believe that?  Anyway, I'm trying to take apart the ignition so that I can get the key code and have another key made.  Is there anyone out there who can help me with this?  I need some directions. 

Thanks for the help,

Dorian

Sometimes if you have the manual that came w/ the bike its written in there. There is also a small tag that comes with the keys that has the number as well

as far as getting it apart  I duno

Good luck 

&

called Loudoun Motorsports in Virginia.....they said they couldn't cut a key w/ just the VIN number.     noticed you were in Maryland though.....do you know of a place that would do it in this area?  I'm actually in D.C., but can't find a closer suzuki dealership.

also i called a couple local locksmiths and they all said they couldn't cut a motorocycle key because they dont' have the special machine for motorcycle keys .  i already ordered the blank w/ the code:  Ilco X241 SUZ18

also.... i don't suppose there's anyway to unlock the steering w/o the key?  i could hotwire the bike, but that'd be pretty useless with the steering locked!

[$

I bought a gs with the key missing. I got mine by removing the ignition which has to be done by drilling out the bolts that hold it on because they are security torque bolts. Meaning the head of the bolt breaks off when it's tightened all the way. Mine is an 89 and it didn't have the key code on the ignition, but the gas cap has the code for 5 of the 7 pins within the ignition lock. I took both the ignition and code on the gas cap to the locksmith and he made me a key.
I picked the lock on the cap, that's the only way to get it open without a key.
Any semi-good locksmith should be able to get you a key from those two things.
good luck.

those security torque bolts your'e talking about.  are those the ones that have a hole on the other side w/ a cotter pin through it?  i tried getting the nut off the other side but the bolt starts to twist w/ it.  i was thinking of using one wrench to hold the bolt steady (from the bottom)  then use another wrench to loosen the nut (complicated and a pain in the ass).  my second option was using a dremel to cut my own slot for a screwdriver.  what did you use to drill them out?  can't u just use an allen wrench to take off the gas cap?  i dunno if my lock-picking skills are up to snuff.


thanks for the help,

Dorian

Dorian-

As your friendly local locksmith, let me see if I can help.  On the GS, the ignition lock should be held in by torx bolts with a small pin in the center of the head making it a security torx.  The bits for these torx are available at your local NAPA or equivalent.  The other type of bolt that someone was describing is a shear bolt.  The head shears off once the bolt is correctly torqued.  These generally need to be drilled out or have a slot cut into them as described above.

If you remove the cylinder, by taking out the torx bolts there may be a code on it that will allow any locksmith worth their salt to make you a key.  However, most cars and bikes are inconsistant at best in their markings, so I would not bet on the code being there.

The tank lock cannot be removed without harming it if you don't have a key.  It must be picked open.  The seat lock can be coaxed open with some work, and by pulling on the right underseat parts.

Your main problem stems from the fact that the tank and seat locks probably do not contain all of the cuts that are present in the igniton, so you will most likely need a locksmith or dealer to make you a key.

If you can find a helpful dealer, they might be able to find out where the bike was originally sold, and hopefully that dealer kept record of the key code.  As far as I know, Suzuki does not link VIN with key code.  However, look through all of your manuals and paperwork to insure that the dealer or PO did not write the code in somewhere by hand. 

A good locksmith can pick open your tank, decode the lock, and use a computer to decipher the rest of the cuts in the ignition.  You may need to look in the phone book for someone that specializes in autos/bikes.  There is no special machine for originating bike keys (at least no more special than the one used for cars, homes etc), they must not have understood what you are asking.

Keep in mind, that many locksmiths will come right to you to do the work, although the national average for originating bike keys is $350, so be prepared to pay.  Weigh this against towing the bike to them and your time for tearing it apart.

If you are able to get a code, and no local locksmith can help, I will cut you keys and send them to you, provided you can provide proof of ownership.

Aaron

okay.... so at this point i've basically taken apart my entire front end     but now i think i see what your'e talking about.  on each side of the ignition cylinder there are two cylinders with a hole on the bottom.  it feels like there is a pin in each of these holes.  is this what you're talking about?  if so i can go to NAPA and ask them for a torx bit/wrench?  is there a specific size that i should be looking for? 

thanks again,

Dorian

Quote from: Dorianfes on May 17, 2006, 01:26:20 PM
they couldn't cut a motorocycle key because they dont' have the special machine for motorcycle keys .

What special machine?  The blank for a 79 Datsun pickup (and I'm sure many other Datsun vehicles) works for the GS.  What special machine would you need?

I noticed the key for the late 80's GS450's and such looked like short versions of the 90's Suzuki car keys... That black half circle with "suzuki" on it. My 2000 GS has a really long key, but it is only a copy... Any ideas on how to get a factory replacement set? I don't want another copy, I'd like the same look as the originals. But I don't even know what they look like 

"A good locksmith can pick open your tank, decode the lock, and use a computer to decipher the rest of the cuts in the ignition.  You may need to look in the phone book for someone that specializes in autos/bikes.  There is no special machine for originating bike keys (at least no more special than the one used for cars, homes etc), they must not have understood what you are asking."



aplitsz is right. you can't take off your gas cap with out picking it. But the locksmith i had was awesome. He was a slow old guy out of a slow town and only charged me 15$ to do all the work. Basically he needed to pull the final two sets of numbers from the compputer that related to the gas cap that would code for the ignition. He made a dozen or so keys that MIGHT work and tried them in the lock. eventually he found one that would. It took a while for the key to "break" in to all three locks, but they all work great now.
I got lucky I hope you do too.
p.s. I called another locksmith place that said they could make the key no problem with just the ignition, and that they'd done it quite a bit before with no problem. Whether this meant takning the lock apart to measure the pins I don't know, but any competent locksmith should be able to make a key from the ignition and gas cap number.
This was my biggest task in getting my bike operational and it worked out pretty well, I hope it does for you too.
I hope this makes sense...I'm pretty housed right now and we all know how much fun it is to check gstwins.com when we're shitfaced so here I am.
good luck.
~CR

Here's what I found on eBay (there aren't any keys up for auction now, there usually is...):

Here's a whole new setup, start fresh by changing everything... a bit of a pain I guess. But it's an option!

This one still leaves you fubar'd with regards to your seat and gas cap, but its a cool key that's almost un pickable! just don't loose that key!

This one here is probably a better option if you don't want to change everything, but you still have to change the ignition

My advise; try the locksmiths first!
If that doesn't work, try the dealerships...
and if THAT doesn't work, only then consider resorting to one of the options I've listed above... (if you choose to change the ignition tumbler, then you either have to change the gas cap/seat lock or get a cap that doesn't lock and a hidden seat latch release... but hopefully it won't have to come to that!)

Aren't tubular locks pickable with a slightly chewed Bic pen?  I remember that Kryptonite was having a problem with them on their U locks not too long ago. 

Quote from: Egaeus on May 18, 2006, 06:32:37 AM
Aren't tubular locks pickable with a slightly chewed Bic pen?  I remember that Kryptonite was having a problem with them on their U locks not too long ago. 

Some tubular locks are succeptable to attacks from bic's, however, I fail to see its application here.  The only bikes I am aware of that use tubular locks OEM is Harley. 

Quote from: Egaeus on May 17, 2006, 09:32:40 PM

Quote from: Dorianfes on May 17, 2006, 01:26:20 PM
they couldn't cut a motorocycle key because they dont' have the special machine for motorcycle keys .

What special machine?  The blank for a 79 Datsun pickup (and I'm sure many other Datsun vehicles) works for the GS.  What special machine would you need?

In order to originate keys (ie cut from scratch without a original), you must use a code cutting machine.  The machine for most cars and bikes is the same, however different cards with the correct spaces and depths are required for each different code series/blank.  While there are universal 'micrometer' cards, some guys don't like to do it that way.  The duplicating machine at your local hardware store will be able to make one GS key from another, but will not be able to make one from scratch.

ok...so i tried getting a torx set from napa.  but all the bits that came w/ the set were too small.  i'm thinking of going to the local home depot b/c they had a set with bigger bits.  i was wondering if anyone knew what the exact size was that i need?  also, from what i gathered, i should be able to bring my ingnition to any locksmith and they should be able to cut a key using a volvo blank.  once i get the bike started i can ride it back to the locksmith and have them cut a key that will work with the gas tank and seat. 


Dorian

http://gstwin.variders.com/faq.php?answer=72&cat_name=General%20Information&category_id=1#72



The Suzi dealer should have a blank...  You might be able to order one too...

The locksmith should have a X179/SUZ10 (same key).  Call around, and take the lock to the locksmith that has them on the rack (I have them in my truck).  They key that they make for the ignition should also open the tank and seat, but not the other way around.  Good luck.