Getting a Key Made

BigIron · 10-03-2007, 12:44 AM

My bike only came with one key (bought used). So I need to get a key made.
I went to Walmart and the kid in automotive makes me a key. I go out and try it and it dont even go in. So I go back in and he says its the closest blank he had :cuss: and refunds my money.
So I try the local locksmith and he makes me one and it goes in smooth but wont turn. I take it back to him, he throws it in the trash and makes another. Same deal with 2nd key. It appeared that he was grinding it down too far but he said that the machine controls how far he grinds down the key. Locksmith refunds my money.
So now I try a hardware store. This guy makes me a key and I take it home since I have my truck this time. The key goes in and with a lot of wiggling I can get it to turn either way. I'm keeping this one but what am I missing. They cant all be wrong. :??:

El_Shorto · 10-03-2007, 04:16 AM

I'd suggest trying a suzuki bike dealer. the one near my place makes keys and they work like a charm. if they dont make them at your local dealer, im sure they could refer you to someone who can.

Easy Rider · 10-03-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigIron

I'm keeping this one but what am I missing. They cant all be wrong. :??:

It's hard to find good help these days!!

Find a different locksmith. A good one can tell what's wrong with a key by just looking at it in comparison with one that does work. If you do find a competent locksmith, he might be able to "touch up" the one you already have.

:cool:

BigIron · 10-03-2007, 11:29 PM

Thanks guys. I thought maybe I was missing something like a chip in the key or something like that. I know theres no chip.

**jonathan180iq** · 10-04-2007, 09:25 AM

I had the same problem getting a key made for my MG. I had to buy factory blanks from E-bay. With the proper blank, any Joe can make you a working key.

Stretch · 10-07-2007, 12:22 PM

I bought the Susuki blank and had the local Lowe's guy put it in his machine. He cut it four different times, first nothing moved, then it somewhat moved, then one side worked and finally no side worked. I agree with the previous advice, stay away from the big boxes with the computer key boxes. I used to cut keys back in high school in the 1970's, we did it by hand and they worked every time. Now, if the machine doesn't recognize your key exactly, you are just taking a crap shoot. I have another new blank but I am still looking for a good locksmith... and being very, very careful with the original (and very worn) key.
-Bob
P.S., Lowe's did "make it right" with an in-store credit for the cost of my blank and not charging me for the cuts.

Easy Rider · 10-07-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

I have another new blank but I am still looking for a good locksmith... and being very, very careful with the original (and very worn) key.

OK, there IS another option, I think.

I've heard that a dealer, armed with the VIN (and proof of ownership if you didn't buy it from them) can get the key "code" and then make (or order) a new key. Part of your current problem might be that your one remaining key is worn.

Good luck!

Stretch · 10-07-2007, 03:42 PM

Easy I know what you say is true for cars, so I imagine it might also be true for bikes. Dealers will sell you the blanks, but most don't have the cutting equipment to make the keys themselves, they will forward you on to an authorized locksmith. We will see I guess

When you have an old lock and key, (mine is a '99), it is better to try to mirror the old key than to cut one to factory specs. Both the lock and the key will wear over time - the lock may no longer be in factory specs. With old key cutting machines this was easy - you could mirror anything. The new black boxes are safer and you can train a monkey how to use one in a few seconds with a banana or two for motivation, but the artisan is now cut (pardon the pun) out of the equation. It is standard or nothing anymore; fudge factors and eyeball adjustments have disappeared - too bad that was what often make the old stuff work.

Thanks for the suggestion and the chance to grumble!
-Bob

Water Warrior 2 · 10-07-2007, 11:05 PM

Have heard that some riders have had success going to a Suzuki car dealer for blanks and then a good lock smith for cutting. Might be worth a try.

mcintyre_aerospace · 10-09-2007, 08:46 PM

Well I had a similar problem, except I lost my key. I had to take the key cylinder out, theres two special torx bolts that hold it in, and took it all the way to a town called Midland in Texas, 92 miles from where I live, and had them completely take it apart and make me 3 keys. The locksmith only charged about 14 dollers, and the key works fine in the cylinder, but has trouble with the seat release. I still use it, but its kinda annoying.

10-03-2007, 12:44 AM	#1
BigIron Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ohio,USA Posts: 51	Getting a Key Made My bike only came with one key (bought used). So I need to get a key made. I went to Walmart and the kid in automotive makes me a key. I go out and try it and it dont even go in. So I go back in and he says its the closest blank he had :cuss: and refunds my money. So I try the local locksmith and he makes me one and it goes in smooth but wont turn. I take it back to him, he throws it in the trash and makes another. Same deal with 2nd key. It appeared that he was grinding it down too far but he said that the machine controls how far he grinds down the key. Locksmith refunds my money. So now I try a hardware store. This guy makes me a key and I take it home since I have my truck this time. The key goes in and with a lot of wiggling I can get it to turn either way. I'm keeping this one but what am I missing. They cant all be wrong. :??: Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-04-2007, 09:25 AM	#5
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,995	I had the same problem getting a key made for my MG. I had to buy factory blanks from E-bay. With the proper blank, any Joe can make you a working key. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-07-2007, 12:22 PM	#6
Stretch Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 52	Same issue! I bought the Susuki blank and had the local Lowe's guy put it in his machine. He cut it four different times, first nothing moved, then it somewhat moved, then one side worked and finally no side worked. I agree with the previous advice, stay away from the big boxes with the computer key boxes. I used to cut keys back in high school in the 1970's, we did it by hand and they worked every time. Now, if the machine doesn't recognize your key exactly, you are just taking a crap shoot. I have another new blank but I am still looking for a good locksmith... and being very, very careful with the original (and very worn) key. -Bob P.S., Lowe's did "make it right" with an in-store credit for the cost of my blank and not charging me for the cuts. __________________ -Bob Stretch Some of us serve only to be bad examples for others...
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10-07-2007, 03:42 PM	#8
Stretch Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 52	True for cars! Easy I know what you say is true for cars, so I imagine it might also be true for bikes. Dealers will sell you the blanks, but most don't have the cutting equipment to make the keys themselves, they will forward you on to an authorized locksmith. We will see I guess When you have an old lock and key, (mine is a '99), it is better to try to mirror the old key than to cut one to factory specs. Both the lock and the key will wear over time - the lock may no longer be in factory specs. With old key cutting machines this was easy - you could mirror anything. The new black boxes are safer and you can train a monkey how to use one in a few seconds with a banana or two for motivation, but the artisan is now cut (pardon the pun) out of the equation. It is standard or nothing anymore; fudge factors and eyeball adjustments have disappeared - too bad that was what often make the old stuff work. Thanks for the suggestion and the chance to grumble! -Bob __________________ -Bob Stretch Some of us serve only to be bad examples for others...
	0

10-03-2007, 04:16 AM	#2
El_Shorto Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 28	I'd suggest trying a suzuki bike dealer. the one near my place makes keys and they work like a charm. if they dont make them at your local dealer, im sure they could refer you to someone who can.
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10-03-2007, 11:29 PM	#4
BigIron Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ohio,USA Posts: 51	Thanks guys. I thought maybe I was missing something like a chip in the key or something like that. I know theres no chip.
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10-07-2007, 11:05 PM	#9
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Have heard that some riders have had success going to a Suzuki car dealer for blanks and then a good lock smith for cutting. Might be worth a try.
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10-09-2007, 08:46 PM	#10
mcintyre_aerospace Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Stockton, TX Posts: 78	Well I had a similar problem, except I lost my key. I had to take the key cylinder out, theres two special torx bolts that hold it in, and took it all the way to a town called Midland in Texas, 92 miles from where I live, and had them completely take it apart and make me 3 keys. The locksmith only charged about 14 dollers, and the key works fine in the cylinder, but has trouble with the seat release. I still use it, but its kinda annoying.
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