Yamaha Vity (XC 125) — Seat Lock Catch Issues

[raystone]

I've been getting a lot of insight from searching around here plenty of other times, but this time, I've had to create an account and actually ask a question myself. Ideally, this is useful to many others with a similar problem as well.

Problem: the seat lock doesn't lock / catch anymore. It never really did (purchased used). A very common problem, sure, but due to the varying implementations and manufacturers, the cause may vary quite a bit. So any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Here's some photos:
https://imgur.com/a/aDn8s
(I'll leave them up there, so others can compare this with their own locks, and perhaps find this thread easier).

Now, when I push down the seat, it doesn't click. I push it harder, it does not click. I hit it really hard — it won't click.

To unlock, I would turn the key in the ignition to max counter-clockwise position, and this will pull on the lock cable enough to unlock the mechanism (except that it doesn't lock in the first place).

I've tried (as you can see in the photos) to push down the lock catch manually (with a screwdriver), and that worked. It clicks and locks into place. I then turn the key counter-clockwise, it unlocks immediately, very smoothly. So I figured, maybe the U hook on the seat is off, misaligned, etc. — but it's looking okay, can't see any fault or damage there.

I also noticed (and this is important) — when I manually push something down the lock to make it click (lock up), I can pull that pin or screwdriver or whatever back up again and it unlocks immediately — no counter-force whatsoever. Which, if I'm understanding this correctly, should not be the case (once locked, it should hold tight, correct?). Only the lock cable should unlock this again.

Anyways, I've been able to replace my gas pump, I've fixed just about every- and anything myself on that bike, but for the hell of it, I can't get that lock figured out. It looks absolutely fine and okay.

Will tightening the cable solve this? There's nothing to tighten it by the lock itself (as many other locks have), so I assume that means taking apart the steering wheel and key ignition area.

Suggestions? Thanks — for anything.

[Andy_Pagin]

My guess would be that the cable is too tight, could be that the cable is snagged or kinked somewhere. Or the metal 'U' on the seat is bent or the seat itself is warped.
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Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[raystone]

Cable too tight? Interesting. I thought it probably can't be too loose as it unlocks immediately when I turn the key, and it's kind of rare to have a cable tighten itself, really, so I didn't even consider that. I'll see if that may be the case then. Thanks.