Help needed

[daj]

Hi,

A mate of mine has had his 1200GS nicked for the seconed time last week from Wandsworth. It was found in a garden in Croydon -thats the good news. However the steering lock was bust and a new barrel fitted (so he has no keys that fit now). He's just had a quote from BMW that a new steering lock means NEW FRAME! Is this true? Is there a way round this? Ditch steering lock and just use chains and disc locks instead? Thanks for any info.

Cheers

Dave

 

[UturnTony]

Hi,

A mate of mine has had his 1200GS nicked for the seconed time last week from Wandsworth. It was found in a garden in Croydon -thats the good news. However the steering lock was bust and a new barrel fitted (so he has no keys that fit now). He's just had a quote from BMW that a new steering lock means NEW FRAME! Is this true? Is there a way round this? Ditch steering lock and just use chains and disc locks instead? Thanks for any info.

Cheers

Dave

If the bit of metal on the sub frame that the lock works with is bust then yes, to put that right
properly it seems a new sub frame is needed but the steering does lock on both sides so, should be able
to utilise that, and a chain perhaps

 

[patzx12]

This is the subfame. A weld repair to the steering stop would be simple enough.

 

[Greenman14]

If it was an insurance job I think they would fit a new subframe, but if it isn't then a weld repair will be much cheaper.

 

[daj]

Thanks guys...think he'll go weld repair. It's been nicked once befpre and the insurance is now sky high. The Met officer on his case told him to buy a car! Didn't give a toss.

 

[davegs]

It dident do a lot when it was knicked so why bother?, spend the dosh on a decent chain.

 

[daj]

It dident do a lot when it was knicked so why bother?, spend the dosh on a decent chain.

I agree.

 

[comberjohn]

I wouldn't trust the steering lock anyway. These scum bags think nothing of kicking the bars until the lock breaks.

 

[jerryv]

http://motorcyclethiefhunters.com/about-us/
Join this crowd and find out who nicked it and break the little shits knee caps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BOBAD]

A fully working steering lock will slow down the average bike thief by around 15 seconds.

I would definitely spend the cost of repairing a damaged one on a serious chain and secure the bike to something immovable. (A short scaffolding pole is a bike thief's friend.)

A tracker would also be useful and might attract an insurance discount to cover the cost.

 

[kevingambrell]

The problem is until lock and chain makers come up with a way to defeat battery powered disk cutters
we will keep losing bikes to theft.
It dosnt matter how big the links on a chain are or the shackle on a lock is, a £100 battery powered angle
grinder will make mince meat of it in seconds flat.
I have a tracker on my 1200, but as a police friend of mine said, there has to be a police officer free to o looking
for the bike. Or you have to jump in your car and do the hunting your self.
The only thing that will stop bike theft is long prison terms for bike thieves, and thats not going to happen.
The body that should be working on this and have the clout to do some thing is the insurance industry.

 

[Littledumptruck]

The problem is until lock and chain makers come up with a way to defeat battery powered disk cutters
we will keep losing bikes to theft.
It dosnt matter how big the links on a chain are or the shackle on a lock is, a £100 battery powered angle
grinder will make mince meat of it in seconds flat.
I have a tracker on my 1200, but as a police friend of mine said, there has to be a police officer free to o looking
for the bike. Or you have to jump in your car and do the hunting your self.
The only thing that will stop bike theft is long prison terms for bike thieves, and thats not going to happen.
The body that should be working on this and have the clout to do some thing is the insurance industry.

All very true, but something like a decent Almax chain round a lampost or something will encourage them to go for one that isnt chained up, most of the time.

 

[daj]

Thanks everyone. In his defence, he had just returned from a trip to Belgium and pulled up outside his house to remove his luggage and go to the loo. He was then going to take the bike to his lock up where it now lives after the first time it was nicked (using the angle grinder method on a chain and disc lock) While he was inside two scumbags rocked up on a bike (false plates) snapped his steering lock and proceeded to 'push-ride' his bike away in the usual style. All caught on next doors CCTV. Police not interested. He is thinking of a tracker now. His concern was that having no steering lock would effect things when it comes selling it. I did point out he will probably never get the chance to sell it!

 

[Bendy toy]

Where possible, I put my lock right through the frame and around the other side so it's enclosing at least two frame tubes. But they steal for parts so they are quite happy to bolt crop or angle grind the frame.

Steering locks are worse than useless. I never use mine.

I no longer use disc locks because the scumbags just put the locked wheel on a furniture moving dolly and wheel it away. Disc locks also risk a bent brake disc when you forget its there.

 

[commandoallan]

Where possible, I put my lock right through the frame and around the other side so it's enclosing at least two frame tubes. But they steal for parts so they are quite happy to bolt crop or angle grind the frame.

Steering locks are worse than useless. I never use mine.

I no longer use disc locks because the scumbags just put the locked wheel on a furniture moving dolly and wheel it away. Disc locks also risk a bent brake disc when you forget its there.

Funnily enough a 50 pound Oxford disc lock saved my GSA from getting nicked yesterday in SE London at 18.00 hrs in broad daylight. I have an Almax chain situated permanently in an underground car park in central London and was only visiting a family member for a couple of hours. Two little f...kers snapped the steering lock but did not notice the disc lock so the bike ended up on it's side with them making off on a scooter and the police who attended with blue lights stating they are not allowed to pursue anyone on two wheels!!!!

I would agree that any security device can be overcome with the appropriate tools and a little time by individuals with knowledge, but any security device other than a steering lock could make the difference between a loss and keeping a bike for a little longer.

I am after another chain & lock 1m peferably - ideally another Almax if anyone has an item for sale.

 

[Bendy toy]

I used to use a disc lock until I forgot it one day and bent the disc.

I now use a Motrax English Chain security chain and shutter type padlock. It came with a carry case that neatly straps to the pillion seat. I also have a mush heavier lock and chain but with today's battery angle grinders its not that much more protective but much more hassle to use.

If I can't find anything to lock the bike to it's at least as good as a disc lock but it wont bend a disc.