pannier locks-mix`n`match tumblers?

[Mrs C]

For anyone still a bit confused about the ins and outs of single key lock barrels for the 12GS, here's the official line:

Locks can be purchased direct from BMW dealers in either coded (matches ignition key) or non-coded (random key number) form. The coded type are ordered to the chassis number of the bike and take around a week to arrive from the factory; most dealers will keep a supply of the non-coded locks in stock.

Unlike the majority of lock barrels for BMW bikes, the barrels used on the 12GS do not have repair kits available (these are kits comprising a barrel with a selection of each tumbler, the springs and one anchor tumbler). Many dealers have dismantled complete barrels and cannibalised the tumblers to allow them to provide coded barrels within a few minutes rather than waiting around a week for the factory to code and despatch them.

For the purposes of the pannier/top box locks, there are only 3 tumbler numbers. For some reason that I cannot fathom, the #3 tumbler seems to be the most prolific in barrels being cannibalised but the least in demand for the barrel to be coded - leaving a shortage of #1 and #2. If you are swapping over your own tumblers and are short, for example, a #1 tumbler, it is possible to miss out one per barrel without running into problems with the lock.

Hope that helps

 

[Mr K]

Uk BMW dealers are very complacent. If you have a problem kick hard and very loud, preferably when the dealer is very busy.

Chris

 

[Gonzo]

So are we saying that I've received particularly poor service?

- panniers and coded locks ordered 9th October
- bike arrived, no locks for panniers 16th October. Locks paid for as part of bike invoice
- several chases yielding nothing except a "central BMW problem" until.......
- late November dealer lent me non-coded locks
- called today, to chase again. Apparently BMW have deleted all back-orders for non-coded locks so mine has been placed again today. Should be here after Christmas.

 

[Eddy802]

I have an item on my bike and luggage invoice for £61 to have a 3 tumbler set coded to the bike key.

Is this a piss take, given what appears to be supplied for free or amended in good faith by other dealers?

Eddy

 

[ed4554]

Ordered my luggage August asking for coded locks. Dealer reply sorry not able to supply. So luggage arrived with separate non coded locks. After seeing the posts here rang dealer ( Blue Bell Crewe ) asking if they would change the tumblers for coded ones. Yep no problem will cost £60 odd quid and will need to order from the factory? They do not have and are not awere of changing tumbler levers around to match ignition key?

Someone is telling porky's??

Ed

Ride Safe All

 

[Mrs C]

I don't think it is so much a case of dealers telling porkies as some dealers honestly not knowing you can code the barrels, Ed.

It isn't an officially sanctioned process. (BMW do not supply the tumbler repair kits and there is nothing alluding to it being possible on anything BMW send out to the dealer network). The official line is barrels are ordered to code from the factory and even then, when the bike was first launched in March, the part number given for the coded lock was incorrect, causing headaches all over the country - especially since the knowledge that the barrels could be coded onsite had yet to surface.

Gonzo, as you're relatively local to us, if you're still having problems getting a single key system sorted, call in sometime (with the bike!) when you have 20mins or so to spare and I'll happily code the current barrels for you. Remember to bring the current pannier keys too as you need to have the handle released to pop the barrel out to do this. I'm guessing Battersea is a little out of the way for you though, Ed - sorry

 

[Gonzo]

Thanks Sharon, I really will pop by some time soon.

 

[Fanum]

Uk BMW dealers are very complacent. If you have a problem kick hard and very loud, preferably when the dealer is very busy.

Chris

Oooh yeah, that sounds like a good way of building a solid working relationship with your local dealer