Folks,

Lost the one key that I had, and thought was guarding carefully.

ARRGGHH! House is pretty darned clean after vacuming on hand and knees, checking every bit of clothing even looked at in the past 3 days, vacuming/cleaning the other vehicles, stomping around in the gravel drive looking, digging through 3 bags of garbage on a tarp, and searching all usual hiding spots. Yeah, It's been a trial.

Had already ordered blank SR61N's from a lock guy 3 weeks ago and now have 4 blanks to play with as of today.

Just ordered a new BMW one from the dealer today as well,(just in case this little experiment doesn't work). $33 USD. Yow! 1 to 2 week delivery time. Will not wait that long to ride!

Have read the Neimann link: http://www.stephenbottcher.net/BMW/keys.htm

Just back from Harbor Freight with file assortment, new grinder wheels, and a little layout tool in metric.

I'm trying to figure out the best course of action now and would appreciate any input.

Do I go with the Neimann link work and if so should I go after the seat lock and what is the best way to get that out?...or pannier locks...?...and then?

Thoughts also were to try impressioning:
http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/impress.html

Regards and thanks,
Jim

Jim,

I know how to match a lock to a key, but matching a key to a lock is more the job of a professional.
If I was you, I would first ask a locksmith about it.
If you have a key made, it will match the ignition, gas cap and seat lock. This maybe cheaper than buying the 3 items and you won't have to drill the gas tank and seat locks.

CF

I took my helmet lock to a locksmith and he cut about 4-5 keys for the make and model etc....there are not too many alternative cuts so you would be surprised how many people have the same key....as a matter of fact some of our members have been known to check what other bikes there keys fit.

personally for mine there are only 4 alternatives only one of which fits the ignition but the others fit everything....took about an hour to do in total.

good luck

Jim I did the same thing and had to get a lock smith to make a key and then made the mistake of taking my glove box lid to him and he didn't know but it has only the first 4 tumblers and not the full 5. When I got home I had to start at 0 and try each cut till I found the right depth for the last one.
A good lock smith can cut a key to match. I would take the ignition lock as that is the one that is most important.

AAAAAh all true Rick and I would have taken the ignition out but it was well and truly in there for keeps and would have required destruction to remove it....and the lock smith recommend the helmet lock as it was easier to work with ...

Folks,

CF...understand. My darned self might just be waiting a couple of weeks to ride again. Thing is that I'm using the bike for economical transport. Guess am not right now.

Klompy, I understand that the seat/helmet lock being taken in to the locksmith produced a key that would fit everything..ignition, tank, panniers. Checked on that when picking up blanks today and the lock people were hesitant/dubious...but they don't know what we know.

Rick, looked at getting out ignition vs seat lock...dunno. Good info. Called locksmiths back again and they said they'd make a key for whatever I might bring in with no guarantees. Tab $53 USD.

Dunno where this will go.

Sure do appreciate you guy's input and help.

Oh...and was informed today by the locksmith that they had to order 100 pieces of SR61N blanks to get the ones that I ordered. They made it sound like they are rare. $1.50 USD apiece. I certainly wouldn't mind nabbing some and sending them out to others if needed. No biggie.

They are: http://cookslocksmith.com/

Regards,
Bonehead Jim ...done with locks for the evening...it's made my hair hurt.

JimK wrote:done with locks for the evening...it's made my hair hurt. LOL

should we start another "key thread" .....recently we did the "flat style" panieer locks ...how about a ignition key type thread ?

Gonna be a rather long thread then...............

But I'm in .........from a very early model

roflmao ....

good one inge ...thats a classic !

You guys are funny.

That's right...go ahead and try to make me laugh.
Did.
Thanks Needed it.
Trying to make one's own key by impressioning was working ok until ran out blanks.
Darned things are pretty small, and more fragile than one would think....

Called dealer today...going..."Now when is that key going to be in?"

FWIW.

...What was a small but important nightmare finished up today!

Got new key from dealer today.
First bike firing in a month!
Has been a comedy show.
BMW/HD dealer in Louisville, Ky. USA had some issues with how to order the same.
Screwed up some stuff on their end well after having been provided with the VIN.
Nice crowd though.

yay ...at last jim .

good luck !

Get a key that will enter fully.

Remove the barrel of the lock

Then file away the extruding tabs.

Bingo !