Lost Key

[rickmc2000]

Ok, feeling really dumb, had one key, meant to get a copy. Not fast enough. Poof, it's gone. Anyone know where I can get a Key? Lock number is 3950, for a 78 XS1100E?

[natemoen]

Best bet, pull the ignition out and take it to a locksmith.

Then get 4 keys and put them in different places. After you get the keys made try it in all the 4 locks and check and make sure you can lock the forks with the new key. I had one key the turned all the locks but wouldn't lock the forks for some reason.

[slow mo]

lost keys

and essentially make you a new key on the spot. This will usually cost around $50 or more. You can then take this newly fashioned key to a key cutter and have it duplicated onto a purchased Yamaha key blank.

2. Purchase a key set from your local Yamaha dealership. This will usually include a new ignition and you must show proof of ownership before ordering. You may also be given the option to purchase an entire key set which will include a helmet lock (if your bike came with one), gas cap (if there was a lock on it), and a new ignition.

3. This is the least expensive, but the most inconvenient option: The key code is printed on the ignition switch, but you'll need to remove the headlamp so that you can remove the ignition switch to see the code (I think that I also needed to disconnect the bracket for the speedometer and tachometer). In my case, I needed to remove a fairing before I could remove the headlamp. Fitting all of the wiring neatly back into the headlamp enclosure is a chore that requires some care and patience. But, you'll have a key code that you can provide to your key cutter or dealership, and they can inexpensively cut a brand new key without ever seeing the bike.

don,t know if this helps ride safe ,,slow mo!

[wa407mpp]

If it is an E model there should be a key code stamped on the face of all the locks where you put the key in, all you have to do is take that number to a locksmith and have a new key cut by code. If there are no key codes stamped on the locks, take the tank in and have them open it and then make a key from the cap lock by decoding it. Steve

[latexeses]

Agree totally with wa407mpp.

Have a locksmith in town I deal with all the time. Took the code to him from the SF and had a key in less than 5 minutes.
Shouldn't cost you much more than a regular re-cut. The machine does the work once the locksmiths code is entered. I've never had on NOT work.

[Rasputin]

If you take proof of ownership and your VIN number to your Yamaha dealer they will order you a key to fit your bike. Cost is about 5 bucks more than the yamaha key blank alone. It takes a few days but does not have to come from across the pond either. I just found this out the other day while buying some new blanks for my bikes. I certainly did not know it until they told me about it, so maybe this will help others too.

[CatatonicBug]

If you take proof of ownership and your VIN number to your Yamaha dealer they will order you a key to fit your bike. Cost is about 5 bucks more than the yamaha key blank alone. It takes a few days but does not have to come from across the pond either. I just found this out the other day while buying some new blanks for my bikes. I certainly did not know it until they told me about it, so maybe this will help others too.

A few days?? My Yamaha dealer made it right there in front of me. Cost me $18 for one key. I didn't have to supply any kind of proof of ownership, and the VIN makes no difference. Its the Key code that matters. I took the ignition switch in, and used that as a "test" to make sure the key worked before I left. The first one he made didn't work, so he made a second one. It's much longer than the OEM key, but works the same.

[Rasputin]

Lucky you that they had key cutting abilities. My dealer only sold blanks and could not cut them for me. He did say that he could order it just from the VIN and that I did not need the other numbers. The blank cost me 13 bucks so the 18 you paid would be right in line for the price I was quoted. Either way Yammie can fix a guy up for lost keys quite readily. Sometimes the key blanks are hard to come by unless you go to a dealer. I did try three locksmith places who did not have a blank that would fit, so off to Yammie and success.

[DGXSER]

Hey Ras, I might have a bit of pause with ordering the key from the VIN, unless your the original owner. I know I have swapped out the ignition switch on Banshee, so a key form the VIN would not work for it.

[DiverRay]

I lost my only key to the Midnight, and had a locksmith make a new key or 4. I took in the ignition switch, and he was able to make the first key, then cut three more once that worked. Total cost was $32, IIRC. ANY locksmith who has been open for more than 20 years will have the blanks. I used a smith in Phoenix, as I was in Scottsdale at the time.

[fredintoon]

- - - If there are no key codes stamped on the locks, take the tank in and have them open it and then make a key from the cap lock by decoding it. Steve

Hi Steve,
the bike is a Standard. Any fool with a small screwdriver can pop a Special's gas cap but how can one pop the Standard's flush-mounted gas cap without having a key or if the cap innards fail?
Having had a Special gas cap fail on me one time and seeing as the Standard cap has identical innards I'd like to have a second way to open the flush-mount cap if it's innards fail in such a manner that the key won't work.

[natemoen]

Hi Steve,
the bike is a Standard. Any fool with a small screwdriver can pop a Special's gas cap but how can one pop the Standard's flush-mounted gas cap without having a key or if the cap innards fail?
Having had a Special gas cap fail on me one time and seeing as the Standard cap has identical innards I'd like to have a second way to open the flush-mount cap if it's innards fail in such a manner that the key won't work.

Learn to pick locks

[cywelchjr]

Learn to pick locks

If the innards fail you won't be able to pick the lock.

Offhand, I'm not sure if it's possible, since the cap fits down in there pretty snugly. I'm not sure you could get something down in there with the right shape and enough strength to push the latch back like you would on a special.

[fredintoon]

Learn to pick locks

Hi Nate,
what Cy sez. But so long as I have the keys I won't need my lockpicking skills to turn the lock.
The failure mode is the cast-in extension on the sh1t-metal lock casing that pulls the actual lock plate back.
That little pin shears off so the lock plate can't be moved by turning the key.
If the cap is open it can be dismantled and the failed pin can be replaced with a roll-pin.
With the easy-open Special cap one can wait for a failure to happen and fix it after the fact but I think I have persuaded myself that with my Standard cap a before failure preemptive fix is called for.

[natemoen]

Well if the insides fail then yeah, your screwed.