Harley Davidson motorcycle key found

[Fatt Max]

Well the owner got his key today. I got a call from AMPS. Another motorcycle store had rung them to order a new set of keys and fob quoting the number I'd given them. Amps let them know I had the key. Some guy from the motorcycle store in Newmarket came around and retrieved the keys this arvo. Saved the guy $50 for keys. $80 for the fob and reprogramming.

It's great to have the keys find their home. I was curious how it would get back to the owner if it ever did. So getting a new key from the supplier outdid, calling the police, looking on KB or reading sideswipe.

The rider knew he lost the key between Newmarket and Greenlane. (It was on the Great South Road just down from Repco) Apparently he had put the key in the lock. It's fallen out while riding.

This person deserves a DB.....

[rwh]

This person deserves a DB.....

And HD doesn't. What a crap design.

Richard

[Crasherfromwayback]

And HD doesn't. What a crap design.

Richard

Not at all. It works perfectly well, and saves the ignition barrell from wearing out when people leave dozens of keys swinging in them as people do. It's hardly a bad design if the owner forgets to remove the keys is it? If you leave the keys in your bike...and someone knicks it...is that a crap design too?

[rwh]

Not at all. It works perfectly well, and saves the ignition barrell from wearing out when people leave dozens of keys swinging in them as people do. It's hardly a bad design if the owner forgets to remove the keys is it? If you leave the keys in your bike...and someone knicks it...is that a crap design too?

If the intent is that the keys should be removed (which is not what most people would expect, right?) then perhaps there should be a spring in there that pushes the key out? Or perhaps have a button to push to get the keys out if you want. Or put the lock up on top. Or ditch the key entirely and just use a pin, or something.

But making it easy to leave the key somewhere it's likely to fall out from seems a bad plan to me.

Richard

[scumdog]

If the intent is that the keys should be removed (which is not what most people would expect, right?)

Richard

My experience? (2010 Ultraglide)

The key is only there 'cos it was needed to unlock the steering, top-box etc.

WHY leave it in the lock when there's no logical need?

[rwh]

My experience? (2010 Ultraglide)

The key is only there 'cos it was needed to unlock the steering, top-box etc.

WHY leave it in the lock when there's no logical need?

Because that's what I'm used to from every other vehicle I've ever owned (except perhaps some old dungers with worn out barrels)

Like I say - if the intent is that it should be removed, make it hard to leave it in.

Richard

[Crasherfromwayback]

Because that's what I'm used to from every other vehicle I've ever owned (except perhaps some old dungers with worn out barrels)

Like I say - if the intent is that it should be removed, make it hard to leave it in.

Richard

Just because it's not what you're used to doesn't make it a crap design does it now?

Besides, if you're told NOT to leave the key in the ignition...that should suffice right?

[scumdog]

Because that's what I'm used to from every other vehicle I've ever owned (except perhaps some old dungers with worn out barrels)

Like I say - if the intent is that it should be removed, make it hard to leave it in.

Richard

Frikkin Luddite.....

[rwh]

Just because it's not what you're used to doesn't make it a crap design does it now?

Besides, if you're told NOT to leave the key in the ignition...that should suffice right?

Perhaps.

Richard

[vifferman]

And HD doesn't. What a crap design.

Indeed

Not at all. It works perfectly well, and saves the ignition barrell from wearing out when people leave dozens of keys swinging in them as people do.

But why is the ignition barrel in such a stupid place? It seems to me that it's only there because that's where the very first ones were. Other bike designers have long since moved the thing to by the instruments, where it's easy to insert/remove, doesn't fall out, and doesn't wear the barrel.
A guy I work with sold his CBR1000RRRRR and bought a V-Rod. He hates the position of the ignition - if he's not careful and fumbles it, it falls in behind the header pipe. The steering lock is also just as dumb and inaccessible.

Seems to me it's a case of fashion (being fashionable to be retro) over function (good ergonomics, engineering and commonsense).

[Crasherfromwayback]

But why is the ignition barrel in such a stupid place? It seems to me that it's only there because that's where the very first ones were. Other bike designers have long since moved the thing to by the instruments, where it's easy to insert/remove, doesn't fall out, and doesn't wear the barrel.
A guy I work with sold his CBR1000RRRRR and bought a V-Rod. He hates the position of the ignition - if he's not careful and fumbles it, it falls in behind the header pipe. The steering lock is also just as dumb and inaccessible.

Seems to me it's a case of fashion (being fashionable to be retro) over function (good ergonomics, engineering and commonsense).

Depends on the model mate. Softails have 'em in the middle of the tank. That's pretty easy to access. The tourers have 'em where the your mates CBR does, some Dyna's and V-Rods have 'em down the side of the bike behind your right leg. THAT is painful!

Being able to ride them off with the steering locked is not so great...I still have the scars from doing just that!