Frozen Locks

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

How often do your security locks freeze and cease to function?

This is the first time one of my cheap cable locks has done it and I'm beginning to wonder if it really is frozen or someone's tampered with it. Can't see any evidence and my other cable lock was fine.

Just when parking up the bike, I can't get the f*cker unlocked around the lampost. Which means the locks useless and I've only got one lock for the bike now. No amount of boiling hot water or penetrating oil is working.

Anyone got any hints/tips apart from not leaving your locks/chains around a lampost when you're bike isn't there. I usually don't, it just completely slipped my mind when I left a week ago.

P.S The lock is a oxford bodyguard cable, very much a cheapie but I'd rather have it secured to the bike all the same. My abus cable lock is MUCH better, better locking mechanicsm and it was fine to unlock and lock again.

cheers

mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

I had an Oxford lock sieze up on me a while ago, I think it was trying to grow rust in protest of not being opened and closed all the time as I had too much work on to ride. Cue much yanking and swearing at the U shaped piece and eventually it came free. A royal pain in the arse.

If in doubt, hit it with a big hammer. If that enduring engineering principle fails to work, get some bolt cutters and dismay yourself at how easy those things are to cut.
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hugo-a-gogo · Trackday Trickster Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Karma :

spray some graphite powder stuff in the lock every now and then BEFORE it seizes up
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Um,
Its a common trick by thieves to superglue up your cable lock in a closed position when you leave it around some railings, lamp posts etc etc, so that when you return you cannot lock your bike up. They later return and nick the unlocked bike.

Clever eh?

Don't fall foul of it, buy a new lock is my advice.
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instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Yeah, I was thinking that. Although there is no glue around the circular key hole and none inside it that I can see.

Having googles the oxford bodyguard cable lock, its no great loss, as you can get 2 for £20. If it had been my £40 abus one though, I;d have been slightly miffed.

MattEMulsion · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Karma :

2 for £20, and your single Abus one was £40? Just goes to show you get what you pay for in the end!
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instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Very true!!

The oxford lock IS 4 eyars old though and has no rust on it. Came with the bike when I bought it so no real loss.... Smile

NSR125-Kid-UK · Attention Whore Joined: 03 May 2003 Karma :

I got an oxford lock and chauin. Now it's beginning to sieze.

I'm not taking any chances, £50 ground hog 3 ground anchor, and an £80 gold standard thatcham approved chain.

If they want my bike, they're gonna have to tear the drive up!
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