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How Would I Remove A Broken Key From The Ignition?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MadCapsule
  • Start date Start date
M

MadCapsule

Guest
So, a perfect storm of fail happened this morning.

I was slowly pulling the bike away from the curb and and stalled the motor mid-turn. Of course, the bike went over and the bars left a nice new dent in the tank. I think I can fix that with one of those dent popping things, so that's not a big deal.

The problem is that I somehow managed to break the key off in the ignition while all this was happening. It snapped off flush with the ignition and left nothing to grab onto with pliers.

Any suggestions on how to remove the key? Or should I just call a locksmith?
 
you should be able to turn the ignition to the OFF position with a flat blade screwdriver. then use a strong magnet to wiggle the broken piece out
 
+1 on the screwdrivers. Pick up a set of jewelers screwdrivers at your local Dollar store.
 
Hmm good ideas. I bet a little super glue would work if all else fails. If it will hold some goomer in a construction hat up it should haul the key out. I once removed a broken key from a car ignition by removing the lock cylinder and taking it apart. A magnet would have been so much easier :eek:.
 
Turn the bike upside down and give it a good shake....it might dislodge it and could fall out....







OK, maybe not,,,,,but instead use all the other suggestions already mentioned....

.
 
Locksmiths have a tool that looks much like a set of Oxy/Acetelyn torch tip cleaners..except they are threaded like a very fine screw. They screw this tool in alongside the broke key and pull straight up. The tool drags the blank up untill they can grab it with some needle nosed pliers. Knowing this, maybe a set of torch tip cleaners could be used to stick down there and drag it up enough to grip it????
 
7981GS said:
If all else fails, there is this simple option...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18087505395...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2682wt_1165


Eric
Click to expand...

Actually, MadCapsule's bike has the ignition and gauge cluster all but cast into the top of the triple tree.

Hard to explain from my memory, but when he and I did some work on that bike a while back, we were chatting about swapping gauges. His stock gauges had a very different attachment to the bike, such that you couldn't pull them without messing with the ignition key/lock.

It stood out because our bike's are very similar (I think his is a 79), but my ignition lock did not interfere with pulling the old gauge cluster.

So I wonder if that set up would hinder changing the cylinder, etc.
 
Ok, quick update.

The key isn't ferrous, so the rare earth magnet I bought from Radio Shack didn't work.

I was able to get the tip of a knife between the side of the ignition and what was left of the key and coax it out enough to grab with a pair of needle nose pliers.

Now I'm off to the auto parts store to see if I can find something to pop the dent out.
 
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