revtothelimit - motorbike forum

The key is sticking on the GSXR and sometimes a bit hard to turn or pull out.
Tried WD40 but no change. Is it safe to drip some oil into the lock?

Any advice?

The proper stuff for the job is graphite powder/spray.

It's non-sticky so the lock won't gum up with dust and dirt sticking to the oil.

yeah i got some graphite powder for the front door lock as the lock was really expensive, and said specifically in the packaging never use wd40

There is a trick you can do with a pencil to coat the key in graphite, but I've never been convinced.

You might want to clean the WD40 out before putting graphite in there, mind.

KungFooBob wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:56 pm There is a trick you can do with a pencil to coat the key in graphite, but I've never been convinced.

I've ground a pencil lead into locks before & it's worked. Works on zips too.

Woo. Thanks for all advice

ChrisW wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:57 pm

KungFooBob wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:56 pm There is a trick you can do with a pencil to coat the key in graphite, but I've never been convinced.

I've ground a pencil lead into locks before & it's worked. Works on zips too.

Chances are you have proper graphite pencil leads. Not all pencils are equal.

Count Steer wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:00 pm

ChrisW wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:57 pm

KungFooBob wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:56 pm There is a trick you can do with a pencil to coat the key in graphite, but I've never been convinced.

I've ground a pencil lead into locks before & it's worked. Works on zips too.

Chances are you have proper graphite pencil leads. Not all pencils are equal.

Fair point!

ChrisW wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:57 pm

KungFooBob wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:56 pm There is a trick you can do with a pencil to coat the key in graphite, but I've never been convinced.

I've ground a pencil lead into locks before & it's worked. Works on zips too.

Works on Guitar nuts too,but messy as fook.

ChrisW wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:18 pm

Count Steer wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:00 pm

ChrisW wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:57 pm

I've ground a pencil lead into locks before & it's worked. Works on zips too.

Chances are you have proper graphite pencil leads. Not all pencils are equal.

Fair point!

I'm a Tombow fanboi.

Count Steer wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:42 pm

ChrisW wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:18 pm

Count Steer wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:00 pm

Chances are you have proper graphite pencil leads. Not all pencils are equal.

Fair point!

I'm a Tombow fanboi.

I used to get Blackwings but haven't had any for ages.

Just been looking at Tombow, I assume they're good so I've ordered one of their mechanical pencils for my youngest daughter (she prefers mechanical)

ChrisW wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:47 pm

Count Steer wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:42 pm

ChrisW wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:18 pm

Fair point!

I'm a Tombow fanboi.

I used to get Blackwings but haven't had any for ages.

Tombow are but there seems to have been a few issues with supply. However, my favourite pencil elves at https://www.pencils4artists.co.uk/PBSCC ... ?PBMInit=1 appear to have got their supply lines sorted.

Count Steer wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 6:00 pm

ChrisW wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:47 pm

Count Steer wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:42 pm

I'm a Tombow fanboi.

I used to get Blackwings but haven't had any for ages.

Tombow are but there seems to have been a few issues with supply. However, my favourite pencil elves at [url][https://www.pencils4artists.co.uk/PBSCC ... Init=1/url] appear to have got their supply lines sorted.

Cheers but also darn it - they have them cheaper than the place I ordered from. Also just bought some Blackwings for me

Screwdriver wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 9:05 pm Just as likely to be worn pins in the lock or a worn key (or both). Visual inspection on key would be a good start.

Try a different key if you have a spare or get a new key cut to try it.

It's only done 8,000 miles. Should last 4 years OK. I'll try the spare.

my 4xv had a slightly worn lock, you had to wiggle the key in the certain way.

porter_jamie wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:46 am my 4xv had a slightly worn lock, you had to wiggle the key in the certain way.

What's a 4xv?

Yorick wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:51 am

porter_jamie wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:46 am my 4xv had a slightly worn lock, you had to wiggle the key in the certain way.

What's a 4xv?

1998 Yamaha R1.

Keys, how very 20th century

More 13th century......