| Author | Message | ||
     Vampress |
We haven't been on a good long-ish ride for a while, so Lemonchili decided to rally the troops and head for the hills today. There's some nice twisty roads here going from Brisbane-Dayboro-Maleny-and finally through to Kenilworth. The ride would normally (you'll understand why I state this later) take an hour and a half from the rally point at Dayboro pub. Quite a few were keen, including four Buells   So we all set off together at about 8.30am in a cloud of dust and loud...very loud...noise. But this is kind of where the 'adventure' part comes into it. Steve's Buell decided it didn't really want it's gear lever knob and spat it out somewhere along the way. Steve lost his knob.  therefore we stopped to make sure all was well, while he found another knob on the bike, that looked like it could do without, and replaced it into the gear lever.  This is where 'adventure' part two begins...as we head back to Chili's bike..  He is fishing around in his pockets. The puzzled look...the concern...No keys. Three of us then spent the next 15-20 minutes searching through roadside scrub grass for a single key on a leather keytag. Luckily I managed to marry a man with many hidden talents. The next picture you will see, is of Lemonchili hotwiring his Buell with a piece of wire snipped from a nearby fence and a roll of gaffa tape!!!  After this point, the ride felt a little more like tempting fate, as the bike cut out once more on the highway, for another rewire job. Luckily the other Buellers stuck around and we found a fuel-tank key to fit from the cyclone. Eventually we made it to Kenilworth at about 11.30am (3 hours later)in time for a nice lunch accompanied by a good serve of sarcasm to go.      We made it home safe with one more wire up job, coming back through some steep roads up into Mapleton, where we said our goodbyes to all. Lemonchili is left a little red-faced by the events of the day and currently searching the internet for new key options. It was still a good day. The weather was great, the objective was riding to Kenilworth, which we did (that qualifies it as successful)...just a few hitches along the way  | ||
| Svh |
I thought for sure the story would end with him finding the key in his jacket pocket or something like that when you got home. Sounds like a good ride that will now be memorable in a good way. | ||
| Vampress |
That was the ending I was hoping for too. Unfortunately no such luck. Not even a spare at home  We searched so hard for it on the spot I don't think anything went unturned or turned out. | ||
| Jramsey |
Are you're pics reversed or do you drive on the "wrong" side of the road over there? | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Vamps & Lemon, almost any Buell cylinder key will fit when it gets worn. It may well be that the key fell out along the road before you stopped. Myself with an M2 & 3 others with 2 S1's & an X1 had a key check one day, my M2 key would start one of the S1's & open the filler cap of the X1 as well as my own, & one of the S1 keys did ALL the bikes!! I've even heard of people using a bic pen tube! You might find replacement options in the KV. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
sounds like most of the rides i went on with my 83fxrt that needs to be restored. i've never tried it on my buells but most keys will open up any tank lock on a hd. never tried it on the cyclone. if nothing else, have a dealer order the key for ya. should be able to get it with just the vin from what i understand. nice picks again and thanks for sharing. good luck with the key thing. | ||
| Jpowell490 |
take the rear brake lever off and use that, it is useless as hell on my 1125r, lol | ||
| P_squared |
A matched key to the V.I.N. can get pricey. If you're not worried about V.I.N. matching by the dealer and just need a key to start her up, I can suggest American Sport Bike. I replaced the ignition on my X1 when it burned out. Here's their replacement: http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/16033.html | ||
| Fahren |
tuber gas caps have no tumblers in them, so any round buell key will work to open them. Vampress, you have a p.m. (Message edited by fahren on September 12, 2009) | ||
| Zac4mac |
Keys ordered off the VIN are around 25 bucks for a pair and take a week or two. I order them all the time for HDs and Buells. Zack | ||
| P_squared |
Dangit Zack, I need you to move down here. My 2 "local" dealers wanted to charge me ~$120 IIRC. That's why I went with the American Sport Bike option instead. | ||
| Beachbuell |
New keys from the dealership will cost you about $35 (as a pair only) and two weeks of your time as they are special order and made at time of order. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
wonder if any locksmiths carry the blanks? | ||
| Ratbuell |
You can also order a Blast fuel cap. Same cap as a tuber, no key. I don't know anyone who's had a "gas tampering" or "fuel theft" issue...and neither of my tubers have a locking cap anymore. One less thing for me to lose (the fuel key). Both my early tubers have a flat fuel key, like the steering lock. And I'm truly gifted. I can lose (or break) just about ANYthing. (Message edited by ratbuell on September 12, 2009) | ||
| Iamike |
Cool, hey, isn't it winter down there? Where's the snow? | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
"take the rear brake lever off and use that, it is useless as hell on my 1125r, lol"  I still can't believe I lost the keys in walking maybe 50 feet from my bike to Steve's bike!!!  I do remember pulling the key out when we stopped, but I can't remember if I put it in my pocket or in my helmet with my gloves... The day was a bit stop/start, but got to ride some good roads including a couple I hadn't done before, hang out with friends, and the weather was perfect . Really nice that people stuck around to help me get the bike going again too . I got the fuel cap unlocked with the key from Mitch's Cyclone (which meant we could get fuel to get home!). I'm assuming any tuber key will open the seat too? My concern is the steering lock which I assume I need my key for. I spoke to my dealer about getting a new ignition switch a while ago and I thought he said 8 weeks, maybe it was 5 weeks, but I guess it all depends on when their next shipment comes in. I really should get a new ignition switch as mine is pretty worn out and I've already wired the ON and P positions together. I will ring the dealer tomorrow and check price and delivery time for new switch and keys. In the meantime I might pull out the switch and see if our local locksmith wizard can do his magic... American Sport Bike switch/keys is the other option. cheers, chili | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
"Cool, hey, isn't it winter down there? Where's the snow?" It was a lovely 23°C (say 75°F) yesterday  | ||
| Liquorwhere |
Lemonchili, I bought one from part unlimited in their basic catalog, ignition switch and 2 barrel keys for $9.00 US. It works perfectly, and the barrel key unlocked my seat and fuel cap, steering lock is a different story, but it may be made to work. Good luck with that. D | ||
| Llordlloyd |
Hello everyone! Perhaps you remember I lost the keys to my YZF600 while working at Cremorne Shell... parked right by the door, walked perhaps six metres to the console, finished my shift and the key utterly done. Two locksmiths couldn't make a key, me and Matt couldn't get the ignition barrel off, ended up having it towed home. Good to have adventures though. | ||
| 14d |
A competent locksmith that does tubular keys/locks (most don't, check around) should be able to make you one pretty easily. I keep meaning to get a spare made for my bike, fortunately (for you, not so much for someone who's had it stolen) they are super easy to hot wire. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
I found a locksmith who can make a key if I take the switch to them. I'm going to do that which will get me out of trouble, and order a new switch and keys so then I'll have THREE keys Yep, waaaaaaay too easy to hotwire. I keep meaning to start a security thread to find out what other people do to keep bikes secure. | ||
| 14d |
I put a big ass chain through the rear wheel at home, have a front rotor lock thing for leaving unattended somewhere but that's pretty rare. If I move to an area with more crime I'll probably install a kill switch or alarm. | ||
| Blake |
Steering lock would seem to be effective enough to prevent a ride-away theft. | ||
| Rotzaruck |
So this key thing happens way over there too, huh? I've wondered if keys might go to the same place all of those left socks go. Ahh! The mysteries of life! | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
"So this key thing happens way over there too, huh?" Ahhh, so I'm not the only one...  How strong are the steering locks on the tubers? They look pretty solid... I ride into the city for work reasonably often these days and will leave the bike parked for a few hours while I check work sites. My biggest fear is two big guys coming along in a ute and just picking it up and putting in the back. Unlikely, but it has happened. I use the steering lock, sometimes a Kryptonite disc lock, and always try to park somewhere very publicly visible. I can't think what else to do besides an alarm or carrying around a big chain and lock. |
