HMMM just one Key

[Paintman]

i just picked up another XS a 78 Standard and was looking for the key when i looked at the number on gas and ignition and low and behold the keys from my 79 SF fit all the other bikes. Wonder how many yamaha built like this? just curious

JOhn

[malber]

I start my XS with a key from a Kawasaki KZ1000. I sadly lost the original key a year ago. The Kaw key works in the iginition, the gas cap, and the side cover but does not work in the helmet lock. Gotta protect that helment, y'know.

[egsols]

My two 79's have mirror image keys. They will not go into each others slot at all. Both Canadian models, built 6 months apart.

[wa407mpp]

All most all U.S. manufactured car and truck locks are make by Stratec (the old Briggs & Stratton co.) and the same is true with the Japan make cars most of them are make by one same company as well, so it is not uncommon to run across interchangeability from one company to the another.

[snowdog51]

keys

i think if you are talking honda cars it's not uncommon for any honda key on the board to work.
bill

[Jerry]

Back in the "Old Days" a shop I went to had a big jar of keys from junked bikes. If someone had a bike and needed a key, owner would dump out the jar of keys and try one after another until he found one that fit. Dis the same for cars; amazing how often he found keys that fit!

Have heard there are sets of master keys that will fit any lock of a given series, don't know this to be a fact.

As an adjunct, most older snowmobiles and equipment keys only provide a ground circuit for the ignition system; on more than one occasion I have started snowmobiles with lost keys by simpley unplugging the ignition switch. This opens the ground circuit and lets the engine start. Plug the switch back in to kill the engine.

Have not tried recently, but when I got my XJ it had only 1 key, so I took it to a Yamaha dealer where they took the number and ordered a spare key for me. Took a while to get and was not cheap, but if you want an OEM key that is a possible way to get one. Keysmith I went to said he could not get a blank to duplicate or OEM key.

[egsols]

When I got my latest SF, I wanted spare keys....local hardware store couldn't get the proper blanks..went to dealer, gave key number, ordered me keys, came as blanks only...wtf, dealer doesn't cut keys.

Went back to local hardware store...kid says they don't cut factory blanks...where's the old guy...old guy comes over...nope they don't cut OEM keys....too many people bitch that they wreck their $50 blank......I told him to cut one anyways, I'll try it, if it works he can cut the rest..if it doesn't I promise I won't whine.....he hesitently cuts one, it works, he cuts the rest..."how much?" I ask him......nothing he says, not worth making up a bill.

What a world we live in.

[SFerinTEXAS]

I live down the road from one of the oldest original Sears stores in town where there is a little key shop in the parking lot. Been a couple of years back for less than $5 ea got tank and ig keys for my 79SF and my 81 xj550.

[Dennyz]

I wanted a spare key from my 'F'. I went to Yamaha and ordered it. I was disappointed to see it did not have the black plastic on it like my original key, but it works.

[wa407mpp]

For some reason I've never had a problem getting keys.

[psycoreefer]

part of keys working in "other" ignitions has to do with wear and age also. I have an old Datsun car and everyone in the local "club" can open everyone elses doors despite the keys themselves looking different. I think after a while the parts in the locks just wear enough that anything "close" will work.

[red bandit]

A buddy of mine locked his keys in his 2000 Silverado. After he messed around with a screw driver and coat hanger for 45 min. I stuck my key (1999 Silverado) in the lock and giggled it a bit and opened it.

[planedick]

Spare keys

Was given a spare tank with no key and my Yammy dealer got me a key and a spare for my bike for $8.

[lakecountrydave]

Back in 87 I had a Virago 920J. My buddy had a new Yamaha XT600. Our keys were interchangable. On a side note I finally took my test on his bike that summer and began to ride legally Everyone tried to tell me I would not be able to pass the slalom with my bike. I rode through it on my bike on my way out of the lot!

[planedick]

Ramcharger

Bought a Dodge Ramcharger new in "95, later I discovered it was mad in Mexico. I don't mean assembled there, I mean "Made in Mexico". Lots of problems, but one I discoverd by accident. The Driver's side door had no guts in the door lock. It could be opened with anything that would turn the lock, and the exterior slot was the same width as a nickle. Just stick the edge of a coin in there and turn.