Why oh why didn't I do this sooner?  Since I hit that cow nearly 3 years ago I have had to carry 2 keys - one for the seat and gas cap, and one for the replaced ignition.

I FINALLY stopped at a couple of locksmiths on the way to work today.  I got 2 different stories.  At the first place they said it would be easier to rekey the locks for the seat and gas cap than the one for the ignition.  I guess that makes some sense.  The charge would be about $15 each if I "brought the locks in".  (??)  But when I asked whether they could cut me a single key with two different profiles they said no - that the machines they use nowadays cut both sides at the same time.  ()

At the second locksmith I was told that they could NOT rekey my locks, because "they don't make the kits with the necessary pin sets for motorcycles and 4-wheelers".  (Say what???)  I asked HIM if he could make a "two-sided" key, and he said "Let's try it."  I handed over my two originals, and one minute later I had a key that works in all of my locks, for $3.  Woo Hoo!



That is one ODD-looking key, don't you think?

BTW, above the "ilco" logo, the blank says "X241" on the upper left and "SUZ18" on the upper right.

EDIT: Changed link(s) from sisna.com to bbburma.net

Quote from: Kerry
BTW, above the "ilco" logo, the blank says "X241" on the upper left and "SUZ18" on the upper right.

That's the exact key I have...don't have the original.

Sorry, I meant that the normally mirror-image cut looks strange on this one - almost a parallel cut!

BTW, I forgot to spell out one probably obvious fact: if you happen to have two GS500Es, this trick would let you use one key for both bikes without the expense of rekeying the locks on one or the other.

I wonder if there are other bikes / cars that accept the same key blank?  This could make for some interesting combos....

Quote from: Kerry...I wonder if there are other bikes / cars that accept the same key blank?  This could make for some interesting combos....

Hmmm... let me see... nope!  1997 GS500 and 2003 dodge neon are incompatible.   Oh well, it was worth a try.  

I call it a half and half key or a 50/50...Very common...Of late I typically re fit the lock to take the same key as the other.
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: ScottWVHmmm... let me see... nope!  1997 GS500 and 2003 dodge neon are incompatible.   Oh well, it was worth a try.  

LOL!!   Scott, I like your thinking outside the box!  

Lessee...   GS500 & M1A1 tank... Nope, dang...
uh, GS500 & Fort Knox...  Nope, dang...
Maybe...GS500 & 747...  Nope, dang...
...
...

Neat Kerry. Why is it that most locksmiths are clueless with MC locks? At least around here. For the longest time I couldn't find a locksmith that even carried the right blanks. I was fortunate enough to be referred to a locksmith here by another biker that specializes in bikes. The only problem is he's a little independent shop that's open at odd hours.

Years ago I was on a road trip and broke my only key (that same Ilco blank - careful, it's not as solid as an original) in my seat lock. My buddy rode me to a bike shop and they told me I was out of luck and the only way to fix it was to have the bike towed in and remove the entire front end. After a day visiting every locksmith in the Mohawk Valley I finally found an old timer that clamped the pieces together and after several stops back to tweak it, made me a key that worked.

Sorry for the rant about nothing. It's late, I'm bored, and I've been drinking!  

UPDATE:  The recent spate of questions about keys reminded me that I have one extra tidbit to share.

Several months after having my 50/50 key made (see the 1st post in this thread), it occurred to me that I should get  one or more duplicates made as well.  (Duh!)

The locksmith happened to show me more than one blank, and at first I wanted nothing to do with the smaller one:



Then I remembered what a drag it always was to have to go from the backyard shed into the house to get the "riding key" out of my jacket pocket, when all I wanted to do was unlock the steering so I could move -- or work on -- the bike.

SOLD!

I keep the smaller key on my keychain.  Its ILCO blank number is "X179 SUZ12".

(Final hint: If you get duplicates of a 50/50 key made, make sure that the logo is on the same side of both keys when the locksmith cuts the new one.  Then you won't have to get used to holding your spare the opposite way.)

i've got an ilco spare as well, but the key # is v35.  it's a short key with a big head.

my key # was suz12, not v35... was looking at the wrong key.

As your friendly local locksmith I am happy that you have a 50-50 key.  Its great, when you accidently put it in the wrong way, and twist a little too hard, I'll be more than happy to come out and exract it from your ignition.

It is true that bike locks are tough to re-key, they aren't a prevalent, and I would have to buy a kit for each model (well really just each ignition type).  It just doesn't pay to stock that kind of stuff.  Really though, any yahoo should be able to make a key from a broken one, its not really that hard.

Holy old post revival Batman

just pulled apart mylock and swaped the tumblers around to fit and ones way off, i just file alittle bit and its good to go.