side cover key lock

[Bartman]

I was finally putting the bike back together and after putting the new battery in and checking the wires I snapped the side cover on. Then I remembered that the key doesn't seem to work in the lock!

When I got the bike I had tried and couldn't get the lock to work. The key does crank it and open the gas tank. I wondered if someone had changed the lock out before or I am not working the key correctly.

Of course now have a broken tab inside of the lock. I know that I can fix the tab if I can get the key lock to work. I sprayed WD40 in tonight and will try it somemore tomorrow afternoon.

Does the key go all of the way into the side cover lock?

[bikerphil]

It does not go in even half way, it uses just the first 2 teeth on the key to operate.

[Bartman]

I don't want to break my only key trying to open the lock. Any words of advice?

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Key

I don't want to break my only key trying to open the lock. Any words of advice?

Get a copy made of your key 1st

[oldyam80sg]

Make sure its lubricated and use the tip of the key to open the lock as stated.Doesnt take much to open it.I lost the key for my side cover lock and used the advice on this site and opened the lock.

[BA80]

I took the lock off my SG, disassembled it and removed the tumblers. I can open it with anything now.

I don't think that cover needs to be "locked" anyway.

[Bartman]

My wife went to bed and I came down to the basement and tryed again. The WD40 must have done the trick. It opened right up and spit out the broken tab.

I read last night how to repair the plastic tabs, so after the bike is together tomorrow and I am finally riding I can start playing with the plastic tab.

[Cuda 69]

Hey Bartman,Yahman has a nice fix for that tab,and he's working on a replacement tab that works in the lock,as we speak.Told me he should have it done in the next week or two.Will be made of aluminum so should be less likely to break.

[Bartman]

Now that is a good idea. I may make a short term repair and keep an eye out for the long term fix!

[crazy steve]

I took the lock off my SG, disassembled it and removed the tumblers. I can open it with anything now.

I don't think that cover needs to be "locked" anyway.

+1 on that....

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

+1

I took the lock off my SG, disassembled it and removed the tumblers. I can open it with anything now.

I don't think that cover needs to be "locked" anyway.

That was one of the dumbest things Yamaha did on these bikes Most were broken by PO's trying to get to the batt. and not knowing about the lock. Even if someone wanted to steal your batt. they just had to pull hard

[fredintoon]

I took the lock off my SG, disassembled it and removed the tumblers. I can open it with anything now.
I don't think that cover needs to be "locked" anyway.

Hi Greg,
perhaps it's to stop someone stealing the battery? Not likely?
Look at some of the other strange things that Yamaha engineered into that bike.

[BA80]

like the "Wierd Harold" calipers?

[natemoen]

Since you got it out, now you need to take it apart and clean that lock. WD40 gets very sticky when it dries. Open it up and clean each of the springs and pins for the lock otherwise it might not open up next time. Clean that thing good!!

[DGXSER]

The lock on the side cover would be to protect what you put in the sotrage bin on that side of the box, your tool kit, more so than the battery. In 1978- say 1989 when the bike was newer and more people knew about them, I would think it might be a concern. Now days, what average person on the street even knows that bin is under there? So yeah, I consider the locking feature extraneous.