Key(s)?

[Guest]

Should the ignition key for a '78 GS750E also open the seat and the gas cap cover?

I bought this bike a few weeks ago from a guy who'd had it for almost 10 years. He gave me two keys for it, but the keys are different. One fits the ignition, and the other fits the seat and gas cover. That seems a little strange to me.

[only7bikes]

A locksmith should be able to rekey the cap and seat to match your ignition. I've had some of this work done on my bikes.

[Steve]

Normally, one key does it all. Apparently someone had to replace the ignition lock.

Yes, most locks can be re-keyed, but if your locksmith charges by the lock, it might be cheaper to have the ONE ignition key done, rather than the TWO other locks.

.

[Hinermad]

Thanks guys. I've re-keyed locks myself so it's not a big deal. I just wasn't sure if this was normal. I couldn't remember if my old GS450T used the same key for the ignition and the helmet hanger.

[geol]

Hinermad, The guy has to use two keys because the ignition was swapped at some point in the past. Are you saying you changed a LOCK to accept a different key? If so, how do you go about it?

[Hinermad]

Hinermad, The guy has to use two keys because the ignition was swapped at some point in the past. Are you saying you changed a LOCK to accept a different key? If so, how do you go about it?

Most desk or file cabinet drawer locks have a nut on the back that, if you remove it while the key is in the lock, allows you to remove the lock cylinder. Once the cylinder is out you can (carefully) remove the key, and then remove the brass wafers and springs from the cylinder. You can rearrange the wafers or insert new ones to match the new key, or (in a pinch, like I've done) leave the old wafers in, insert the new key, and file the edges of the wafers down until they're flush with the cylinder. (The lock isn't as secure if you file the wafers down, but wafer locks aren't all that great anyway.)

I suspect the locks on the GS are wafer locks because the keys are reversible, and the lock bodies aren't very deep. I could be mistaken though.

Pin tumbler locks, like are used in deadbolt door locks, are a little more elaborate. You still need the original key to get the cylinder out. Then you can rearrange the pins or replace the existing pins and springs in the lock so they'll match the new key.

This web site has lots on information on locks and lock picking, and the guy who runs it has hundreds (like, almost 900) videos on Youtube. If he doesn't have the information you want about locks, he can points you someplace that does.

http://lock-lab.com/