Iced Keyhole

[Redoko]

So with the weather and everything.

My keyhole on a few mornings now is freezing up.
So I get hot water and pour it down it. I have to do this several times a day including at college because it freezes in between lessons.

Even on the way home I couldn't take the key out because it froze.

Just wondering if the constant hot/cold switching can do any damage to the inside of my ignition or the actual key?


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"Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing."
Sudika Sportsman SK50QT > Gilera DNA50 > Honda CBR125 RW7 > Kawasaki Zephyr750 > Suzuki GSXR600 > Honda Hornet CB600F '51

[c-m]

Hmm not sure adding water is the way to go. Ever heard of corrosion?

Try spraying WD40 of similar inside

[Poseidon]

I use a cigarette lighter to warm (note warm, not cook!) the key up a bit before putting it in the barrel. the heat then transfers from the key to the barrel allowing the key to turn. Sometimes takes a couple of attempts, but has yet to fail me!

Drew
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1977 Honda CG125
2002 Ducati Monster S4 (currently restoring)

[P.]

hot water drops temperature quicker than cold...may aid the freezing as it plummets!

WD40 is a good idea, also..weirdly i had a cover for my ignition made of leather..looked gay, but it like flapped up.
Maybe do something like that?

[Redoko]

[UnknownStuntm...]

WD40 is not the best way to keep a lock lubed, you need 3-in-1 really. But now you've buggered it with water, you'll have to displace the water with WD40 though, then get some 3-in-1 in there asap.

And for what it's worth, Mister Drewie is spot on, the best way is use a warmed key to transfer heat.

[Hairy Ben]

The biggest danger I've found with de-icing with hot water is the damn stuff freezing up again. I've been stranded myself after merrily melting all the controls first thing on an icey morning, then five miles later I stop at a petrol station for a pie only to find the starter button frozen solid.

A bike cover might go some way towards reducing the freezing. Or even just try an old t-shirt or similar wadded up over the ignition then wrapped in a carrier bag to stop further moisture getting in.

Although you might have to wait until the existing water in your lock has dried out before this could work as a preventative measure.


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...and thus true enlightenment is achieved.

I think, therefore I am... I ride a BMW, therefore I smell of wee...

[Wilson123]

WD40 works instantly :l and lasts
sg
dfgsfdgsdfgsg
dfgsfdgsdfgsg
dfgsfdgsdfgsg
dfgsfdgsdfgsg
dfgsfdgsdfg
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Doug97 wrote: Fuck you, what they did was awesome. You just wish you had the balls to be like them, instead of being constantly afraid that there's a rule somewhere out there you might be breaking.

[wupwup]

[ms51ves3]

[Alexio]

That sounds like a bad cycle. As mentioned you need it free from water and for it to stay that way. If you can find a hair drier or something similar once you get home set about attacking your ignition until you're sure there isn't any moisture left and apply the lube. Carrying around a lighter or matches isn't such a bad idea either.

Weirdly I've never had this problem before except I think my electric start button once but seeming as that pushes in, it wasn't that hard to force. My clutch and throttle however have completely frozen before - last winter as my cables were evidently no longer lubricated. If your controls start to feel sticky in sub zero temperatures I'd recommend seeing to it immediately so you don't run in to situations like I had with either throttle or clutch jammed open. Thankfully both didn't happen at the same time (well, discounting a few seconds here or there. Accelerating and braking at the same time isn't a good feeling in icy weather).
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will never give up his CG. I look at my fuel gauge more as a progress bar than a fuel gauge.
G: With my GSXR I do often effectively use it as a scooter with a clutch in town.
ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?

[Handsome]

Vasaline ?...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[LeeR]

Halford Lock De-icer £1.29
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[Redoko]

My clutch did freeze up this morning. Was half way to college. Couldn't walk it back because it's basically a main road, in rush hour with the fog. Cars wouldn't see me pushing it home.

Eventually got it fixed but oh how grateful I was.
____________________
"Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing."
Sudika Sportsman SK50QT > Gilera DNA50 > Honda CBR125 RW7 > Kawasaki Zephyr750 > Suzuki GSXR600 > Honda Hornet CB600F '51

[OssY]

[c-m]

[Handsome]

Like I said, Vasaline, he wants something to prevent it not cure it when it keeps happening surely...

Coating the key and the locks innards should prevent them from sticking, doesn't Vasaline have a highish tolerance to freezing ?...And I'm sure it's water resisant...

Plus you can buy those little pocket tins of the stuff, to keep, well, in his pocket...

Just a thought...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[Blue_SV650S]

WD40 it to death to get rid of the water, then slap some grease down there (or at least some oil) .... when greased/oiled, there will be no water in the works - no water, no ice!!
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[ms51ves3]

[kingsmith]

just put a bit of blue tack over the key hole.. easy to remove and water wont get in..
just dont push into the hole or go inside.


????????????????

dry it out with hair dryer then lube greaes or what ever.


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honda cg 125 copy cheap and crap, perfect for work..
suzuki gsxr600 srad 2000
passed 12/11/09 happy boy

[Jamie S]

Ive recently used acf50 and have yet to have my lock re freeze up.
I did blow the lock out with an air line once the ice had melted though.

[Redoko]

Blue tac? That's so good it should be blindingly obvious.

I will find a hair dryer (somewhere ) in my house tomorrow and blow hot into it. See how it goes.
____________________
"Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing."
Sudika Sportsman SK50QT > Gilera DNA50 > Honda CBR125 RW7 > Kawasaki Zephyr750 > Suzuki GSXR600 > Honda Hornet CB600F '51

[warped one]

I remember getting really pissed off with this probleem so I got a piece of tin a heated it to red hot then put it in the ignition.

Worked a treat , Until I tried to put the key in.

Other than that I used to put Pro FST in it.

Warped
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amnesia - Never in the history of usernames has one been more accurate. Warped indeed. You sir are a fecking oddball.

[Glory Hunter]

Used my bike for the first time in two weeks today, not only had the keyholes on the disclock and both chains seized, but the battery on the disclock had flattened too.

Got all of that sorted with WD40 and a hammer (apart from the batteries obviously) but then found the ignition had seized completely. After nearly breaking the key, I squirted it with WD40 then a load of chain lube and eventually it freed up.

I suspect I'm going to have to do it all again in the morning, ho hum...
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2003 Suzuki VanVan - Sold
2000 Honda CB500 - written off by a spoilt brat with no manners
2005 Yamaha XT660 - I'm in lurve....

[The Tot]

I used ACF 50 on all the locks and controls although it probably would have been a better idea to use some sort of grease; copper grease would be ideal. Just don't smear it anywhere else, like your seat or clothes since it's a proper pain to get off.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism