side cover lock

[oldyam80sg]

Does anyone know how to remove the side cover lock?Lost my key a while ago and need to get a replacement key.

[DiverRay]

It's held on with a phillips head screw. IIRC, you get to it once the side cover is off. If you can read the number, you can have a key made for it without taking it off. Once off, you can re-key to match your ignition, if it takes a different key.
That lock only uses part of the key, so if you can find someone close with '80 vintage Yamaha keys, one of them may work.

[oldyam80sg]

I have the original ignition lock key and gas tank key.Will that work?

[DiverRay]

That should do it! Just remember it may be "stuck" a little, and not want to turn well. Hit it with ether inside the lock to free up any old, stuck grease, then turn and unlock. I would then use graphite to lube the lock mechanism, as it will not gum up with age.

[oldyam80sg]

I will give that a try Ray-Thanks!

[IanDMacDonald]

It's better than my attempt at getting the side cover off when I first bought my bike! I did not realize there was a lock on it, and was sticking my key in the actual locking mechanism, and turning away, grinding away at the tab. It was a full two weeks before I came across the lock, What a dummy I felt like!!!

[conquest87tsi]

Though I knew how to remove the side cover I too have had my share of difficulties. I at one time actually bent my key a full 45 degrees trying to get the cover off. Luckily I was able to slowly bend it back and it started the bike. Went right to the lock smith and had two more keys made. Bought another bike about a month ago, damn near did the same thing. Dumb ass

[CaptonZap]

Once you get the cover off, you can remove the battery box, and there is a screw under the box that holds the latch mechanisim in. Remove it, and it is apparent how to take it apart, and clean all the old guook out of it.
Reassemble with graphite or dry moly, and you won't have the bent key problem for years. CZ

[DGXSER]

The locking mechanism is held on by two pillips head bolts. If you have the side cover removed, one can be accessed easily, the other is under the battery box, and you would need to remove the battery box to remove the lock mechanism. If you are in that tight of a jam, you migh tbe able to pull the right side cover, and the seat off, and work your way to pulling the battery box out the right side of the bike, so you could access the side cover lock.

From the factory, the key that works one thing works them all, including the side cover lock and the helmet lock. Most of the broken left side covers is from a new owner not being made aware of that lock.

If you can not read the number, and can not get a key to work. You could drill out the lock cylinder. Make it work by any screw driver. Unless your prone to storing valuables in the tool box behind the cover, or worried someone will try to steal your battery, I would not worry to much about that lock. Heck, alot of owners do not know its there, let alone someone trying to steal your stuff.

[crazy steve]

...If you can not read the number, and can not get a key to work, you could drill out the lock cylinder. Make it work by any screw driver. Unless your prone to storing valuables in the tool box behind the cover, or worried someone will try to steal your battery, I would not worry to much about that lock. Heck, alot of owners do not know its there, let alone someone trying to steal your stuff.

If you can get the latch assembly out, you don't even need to drill it. Disassemble the latch and remove the 'key tabs' from the tumbler; you can now open it with any key....

[DGXSER]

Absolutely correct Steve, My drilling technique was if you can't get the side cover out of the latch, and you can't get the battery box and such out to remove the lock assembly.

[oldyam80sg]

I dont have the helmet lock-that is long gone.Cant seem to locate my spare key i thought i had.The only 2 keys i have are for the ignition and gas tank.

[Cuda 69]

the ignition key on my 80sg works for all the locks on my bike.

[fredintoon]

I dont have the helmet lock-that is long gone.Cant seem to locate my spare key i thought i had.The only 2 keys i have are for the ignition and gas tank.

Hi oldyam,
when new the bike had one key that did everything.
If your bike needs two keys it's more likely that the ignition key is still the original and the gas tank key is the orphan.
It's also likely that the sidecover lock is still the original.
So try the ignition key first, it's the one most likely to fit.
Remember the key only goes part way into that lock and if the lock has not been used
for a while it's most likely going to need liberal doses of penetrating oil to get it moving.

[oldyam80sg]

OK Fred will look and see! Thanks for all the help!