Post-crash, my steering stem won't lock.

How

do I

fix it

Something to do with the clamps I presume. If it's a major major pain in the ass, I'll leave it, but if anyone has input I'd like to hear.

That's quite hard to determine.  What did you break when you crashed?

Problematic lock is due to one of three things:

1st, and most likely, you don't know what you're doing.

2nd, the lock is broken.  Replace it.

3rd, crash damaged the triples.

replaced: handlebars, levers, forks, fairings.

triple clamps weren't visibly damaged but there was slight offness to forks that warranted replacing, which I did a couple months ago.

Ignition doesn't seem broken... it works, and locked before the accident, and not after. Guy at the shop said there was "a pin" that allowed steering to lock, and to get the pin in the right place again might require replacing triples.

But the clamps aren't even tweaked really, they look fine and everything is straight again.  I am hoping for a quick and easy fix that requires barely lifting a finger and zero use of tools.

Try wiggling the bars while turning the lock.

It's seldom a "no lifting required" fix when simple machnisms break.

Quote from: nightrider on February 27, 2007, 03:04:13 AM
replaced: handlebars, levers, forks, fairings.

triple clamps weren't visibly damaged but there was slight offness to forks that warranted replacing, which I did a couple months ago.

Ignition doesn't seem broken... it works, and locked before the accident, and not after. Guy at the shop said there was "a pin" that allowed steering to lock, and to get the pin in the right place again might require replacing triples.
But the clamps aren't even tweaked really, they look fine and everything is straight again. 

Have you looked to see how much the pin is off from fitting in the hole and in what direction?
The bracket on the frame is just stamped sheet metal and could have been bent slightly.

Quote from: nightrider on February 27, 2007, 03:04:13 AM
I am hoping for a quick and easy fix that requires barely lifting a finger and zero use of tools.

If that is the case...either take to the shop and have them fix it or buy a new bike.

Quote from: dgyverThe bracket on the frame is just stamped sheet metal and could have been bent slightly.

+1

I hate to think of what kind of a hit would have damaged the actual locking pin itself.  Bending that bracket, could have been just the handle bars turning one way to much. Even in that case it would still have to go past the whatchamacallit the keeps the handle bars from turning to far.

I assume youv'e been riding the bike, so just check that bracket if the bike rides fine.  Take it easy keep the bike under 150MPH 

either the bracket could have gotten bent or the steering stops could have gotten bent, allowing you to turn the handlebars past the locking position. turning the bars back and forth while trying to lock the steering will probally work.

If the bending of stuff dosn't work, just get a disk lock. Just as effective, chaper than having a shop work on it, and more visible

Quote from: nightrider on February 27, 2007, 03:04:13 AM
I am hoping for a quick and easy fix that requires barely lifting a finger and zero use of tools.

If that is the case...either take to the shop and have them fix it or buy a new bike.
[/quote]

+1

Somethings bent. As we say in my shop, happy hunting!