Disk lock with broken key

[ironpaw]

I have an old disk lock which I use on my little commuter and it used to stick a little. Anyway turned the key a bit hard this morning and it broke off in the lock, now I've got no way to unlock it and remove it from my bike!! Anyone got any ideas on how to get one off a GN125??

[carburator]

called a angle grinder and saftey gear..

[Road kill]

What he said,,,unless you know somebody with a handy gas set.

Or a big key if you know of one laying about,,,,,him's bolt cutters with 4 foot handles,,,snip:laugh:

[Bikemad]

sabre saw and no safety gear

[Madness]

Throw it in the harbour & claim insurance.

[cs363]

I have an old disk lock which I use on my little commuter and it used to stick a little. Anyway turned the key a bit hard this morning and it broke off in the lock, now I've got no way to unlock it and remove it from my bike!! Anyone got any ideas on how to get one off a GN125??

What kind of lock is it? Standard key or tubular key? And what brand of lock, or is just some no-name Chinese crappy disc lock?

[BigAl]

Redline it and drop the clutch...... Something will break.

[Coolz]

I take it the broken key still in the lock. You might be able to hammer a screw driver in and turn it.

[skippa1]

do a wheelie to the closest locksmith and get him to sort it

[swbarnett]

I've had this problem with my pannier. If there's even a tiny amount of key still sticking out you may be able to pull it out with a fine pair of long nose pliers. I take it you have a spare key? Before using it smother the lock with CRC or WD40.

[Coolz]

I've had this problem with my pannier. If there's even a tiny amount of key still sticking out you may be able to pull it out with a fine pair of long nose pliers. I take it you have a spare key? Before using it smother the lock with CRC or WD40.

This sounds like good advice. As an impatient, ham-fisted, amateur mechanic I am often too quick at resorting to the hammer. I usually chant the mantra "Take that you bastard" while I pummel the offending part into submission.

[ironpaw]

What kind of lock is it? Standard key or tubular key? And what brand of lock, or is just some no-name Chinese crappy disc lock?

It's a kryptonite one, fairly good one I think? ... unfortunately.

[ironpaw]

I've had this problem with my pannier. If there's even a tiny amount of key still sticking out you may be able to pull it out with a fine pair of long nose pliers. I take it you have a spare key? Before using it smother the lock with CRC or WD40.

Good idea... unfortunately nothing at all sticking out. Broke off about halfway down the key. I did try reinserting the remaining key and managed to get it to start turning before it jammed and another bit of the key broke off in it... now it just spins without engaging the tumblers at all :(

I also dont have a spare key anymore. I was actually removing it from my bike to throw away because I was nervous about losing the only key I had left... haha.

[sinfull]

It's a kryptonite one, fairly good one I think? ... unfortunately.

If the key is in the lock it will turn, if you find some way of turning it ! As someone has said load it up with crc, poke the key all the way in and if ya can get a screw driver in the key slot it may turn !

Or glue something to the face to grab and turn (after cleaning crc off it)

Edit : just read last post !!! Bummer , angle grinder it is then

[ironpaw]

This sounds like good advice. As an impatient, ham-fisted, amateur mechanic I am often too quick at resorting to the hammer. I usually chant the mantra "Take that you bastard" while I pummel the offending part into submission.

Agree... if I could get the key shaft out... or I had a spare key (DOH!). Looks like I might have to try pull out my handy omni-tool (hammer)... or resort to an angle grinder.

[angelindisguise]

this might sound stupid but i had a broken key in a lock once and i used blue tak to get it out... something sticky to try and grab at the key and hey presto... may not work for you but its a suggestion...

[ktm84mxc]

Be careful with the disc grinder one slip and your brake disc in DOA, best to remove the front wheel and lay it on a flat surface and wedge the lock so it doesn't move. Good luck.

[swbarnett]

Good idea... unfortunately nothing at all sticking out. Broke off about halfway down the key. I did try reinserting the remaining key and managed to get it to start turning before it jammed and another bit of the key broke off in it... now it just spins without engaging the tumblers at all :(

I also dont have a spare key anymore. I was actually removing it from my bike to throw away because I was nervous about losing the only key I had left... haha.
Now that is just the worst timing. You're not related to Murphy are you?

Good luck with the hammer. Might pay to see if you can find someone with an angle grider you can use (or bribe them to use it for you).

[DEATH_INC.]

Angle grinder. You can't cut 'em with a hacksaw, and gas struggles with the alloy too, but a grinder goes through 'em like butter. Don't ask how I know.... :whistle:
Where in auckland are ya?

[bogan]

If you're grinding in situ (that's probably what I'd do btw), get a sheet of something durable (ideally sheet metal, but wood or a towel should work with only minimal charring) to deflect the sparks away from the wheel/tyre or any other part of the bike. I'd also try and go from the end inwards to minimise the risk of it biting the grinder and flicking it onto your disc.
Cordless grinders are getting fairly common too if it isn't in range of a power socket...

[p.dath]

I have an old disk lock which I use on my little commuter and it used to stick a little. Anyway turned the key a bit hard this morning and it broke off in the lock, now I've got no way to unlock it and remove it from my bike!! Anyone got any ideas on how to get one off a GN125??

I wouldn't waste your time with them. This is an interesting test showing how quickly they can be removed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC3hFr8p2ck

[bogan]

I wouldn't waste your time with them. This is an interesting test showing how quickly they can be removed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC3hFr8p2ck

That link is for chains, I'm yet to see somebody get a pair of bolt cutters through a disc lock!

[actungbaby]

That link is for chains, I'm yet to see somebody get a pair of bolt cutters through a disc lock!

Done mention chains i recount my story falling of in fron my boss in chch on gravel

Very Embarrsing indeed . Oh my car steering lock frozze in chch had drive (mx5 )from press building with bloody thing on sterring i tell you getting in fitgerald ave was nightmare the locksmith down there

Fixed it for free as told him i had to drive home to palmerston north can you take front wheel of

Take to lock smith or either that try crc silcon spray

[ironpaw]

Angle grinder. You can't cut 'em with a hacksaw, and gas struggles with the alloy too, but a grinder goes through 'em like butter. Don't ask how I know.... :whistle:
Where in auckland are ya?

Yeah I tried a hacksaw... seriously I think I heard the lock laughing at me while I sawed! I'm in Pakuranga, although took the wheel off and swung by Armstrongs in East Tamiki this morning to see if they had any ideas, one of the guys is going to have a quick play with it tonight. If that doesnt work (not holding much hope) I'll have a crack with the grinder. Also got a lead on a new rotor this morning... just in case :blink:

[ironpaw]

this might sound stupid but i had a broken key in a lock once and i used blue tak to get it out... something sticky to try and grab at the key and hey presto... may not work for you but its a suggestion...

Actually good advice... wish I'd tried that! Also since found out the local locksmith said he could probably of got it out in about 5 minutes for me if I hadnt taken a hammer to it first... would have cost me about $20 (if I'd taken it to him... call out fee is huge).

[ironpaw]

OK, just in case anyone else has the same problem.

First option is to try to remove the key... be gentle... blue tack or needle nose pliers are good. The use a spare or see if you can get a new key (a locksmith may even be able to pick it depending on the lock).

Second (if cant remove key) then try turning the lock gently... if the key is in there is should turn. Do this second as otherwise you can jam the key in there which makes it impossible to remove (or do it gently).

Third... angle grinder with a good cutting blade. Just cut the barrel about halfway down (or a bit more) then you should just be able to pull out the pins and tumbler. I'd do this with the wheel removed so you can steady it and less chance of slipping and you can protect the wheel better... but I guess you could do it in situ if needed and you're happy taking the chance of sparks and stuff.

Anyway... hope that might help someone else with the same problem! Thanks to everyone here for all the good advice!