Frozen Lock . . .??

[HPNer]

Blimee, had to take Mrs HPNer's R Nine T in to work today as my key just wouldn't turn the 1200GS' lock (09 SE).
Could it be that it was frozen, 'cos it didn't feel like it was fruzzed, just felt like it was the wrong key (which it wasn't).
I once took my 1150GSA to Moscow in December/January twelve years or so ago, temp went down to -23, but no frozen lock.
What's going on . . .?

 

[sproggy]

I've always felt that the ignition lock is a prime candidate for water ingress (on any bike) so I squirt a bit of WD40 in there from time to time to chase away the water and, in this weather, prevent freezing. Whether it freezes is really down to whether there's water in it, not what the temperature is so 0 degrees or -23 makes little difference.

Possibly if you'd squirted some de-icer in there (you can buy it specifically for car door locks or use the big pump action bottle and hold the lock cover open slightly) it would have solved the problem but I'd always follow that up with something else more lock-friendly e.g. (WD40).

Of course the classic solution for frozen locks is a stream of warm, yellow coloured liquid but getting that to a GS ignition would be awkward, messy and possibly result in arrest for indecent exposure....

 

[Tractors are go]

We used to use carbon powder (graphite) in the locks in Canada and my locks never froze up.

What about trying a hairdryer if you've got power close by ?

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[rovert57]

Or heat the key up

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[JerseyNeil]

My GS ignition used to get stiff. I sprayed some WD40 down it which gunked it up even more.
I then sprayed electrical cleaner into it and it has been perfect ever since (2 years).

 

[Packer]

My GS ignition used to get stiff. I sprayed some WD40 down it which gunked it up even more.
I then sprayed electrical cleaner into it and it has been perfect ever since (2 years).

Quite right, never put WD40 in a lock except as an emergency measure. I used to use graphite powder but have been advised that a dry PTFE lubricant such as GT85 is even better. Seems to work.

 

[sproggy]

Quite right, never put WD40 in a lock except as an emergency measure.

I'd be interested to hear the reasoning behind that statement as I've been doing just that for 25 years and never had a problem.

 

[HPNer]

Hmmm. First thing I did was to squirt WD 40 down the key hole!
Thanks for the responses though.
I'll check when I get home if it's thawed during the day, if not, I'll heat the key up perhaps or find some de-icer stuff that may be hanging around in the garage.

 

[JerseyNeil]

I suspect that wet lubricants such as WD40 leave a sticky residue that attracts dirt and exacerbates the problem. By spraying electrical cleaner (which quickly evaporates after cleaning) I suspect I washed away the previous lube and any foreign objects leaving my lock clean and dry.

 

[Bones]

Or heat the key up

That's what I had to do yesterday.

I have got some graphite lube that I use for door lock so will stick some of that in there when I think of it

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

What's this key thing you talk about

 

[Packer]

I'd be interested to hear the reasoning behind that statement as I've been doing just that for 25 years and never had a problem.

WD40 is basically a mixture of lubricating oil and white spirit. The white spirit evaporates off leaving a film of oil which proceeds to retain every little bit of dust, dirt, sand and general crap that falls into the lock barrel. It generally gets stickier over a period of time until you spray some more in, adding to the residue and creating a cycle. Probably wears the lock components faster too.

Clean the lock with electrical contact cleaner or some other effective degreaser that is safe on paint and plastic to clear out all the old dirt and oil residue and then lubricate with a dry lubricant. Access to a compressed air line and fine air gun is helpful.

 

[Bendy toy]

Of course the classic solution for frozen locks is a stream of warm, yellow coloured liquid but getting that to a GS ignition would be awkward, messy and possibly result in arrest for indecent exposure....

Or frost bite

 

[Bendy toy]

Access to a compressed air line and fine air gun is helpful.

A stirrup type tyre pump will do the job with a conical type air bed inflator attachment. I've removed brake pistons with that setup so they really can blow.

Here's the (Aristocats) Scat Cats blowing it

 

[sproggy]

WD40 is basically a mixture of lubricating oil and white spirit. The white spirit evaporates off leaving a film of oil which proceeds to retain every little bit of dust, dirt, sand and general crap that falls into the lock barrel. It generally gets stickier over a period of time until you spray some more in, adding to the residue and creating a cycle. Probably wears the lock components faster too.

Clean the lock with electrical contact cleaner or some other effective degreaser that is safe on paint and plastic to clear out all the old dirt and oil residue and then lubricate with a dry lubricant. Access to a compressed air line and fine air gun is helpful.

Interesting. Thank you for the detailed explanation. Looks as if I'll need to review my various uses of said water dispersing product! And make a generous application of Amberlube to my ignition barrel to undo the consequences.

 

[Tractors are go]

WD40 uses fish oil.

It is excellent for cleaning shower screen's; just the thing for that little lady in your life. As a Christmas present obviously, don't want to spoil them !

 

[AberdeenAngus]

WD40 uses fish oil.....

Nope sorry. That's an urban myth
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/wd-40.asp

 

[Tractors are go]

Oh bugger, no christmas presents then.



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[Bungy]

I have been a practicing locksmith and safe engineer in the past, do not put WD40 in a lock unless in an emergency and you intend removing, cleaning and lubricating properly afterwards.
There are some good products but graphite powder is one of the possibles which can be accessed by using a soft lead pencil on sandpaper and catching the graphite to use on the lock.
On a separate note I did use WD40 to make a lock easier to pick...

 

[Bendy toy]

WD40 uses fish oil.

It is excellent for cleaning shower screen's; just the thing for that little lady in your life. As a Christmas present obviously, don't want to spoil them !

I was going to buy Mrs Toy a watch for Xmas but she already has a clock on the cooker so *** that.