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Caution 2 key

3K views 18 replies 14 participants last post by  BP6666VR 
#1 ·
I know WTF? Well a word of caution. Been riding on the street since 1978, have taken many trips over the years. Never really was concerned about an extra key. Guess what, you got it I lost my key on a trip up in northern Arizona we were heading towards Page, Arizona going west. Stopped for gas in the rain of course. Reached down to shut off the engine, no f----- key. Was running low on gas, could not open the tank. Figured I might have enough gas to get to Page. Good news I made it to Page, YES! While making my 80+ mile ride to Page I was thinking what am I going to do. Well a friend had suggetst a lock smith, find one, good idea. So I figured when I got to the hotel, now I can shut it off at the kill switch on the handle bar, but whoa wait the lights will stay on. So I got to the hotel shut it off, disconnected the ignition switch from the main harness, and removed the ignition switch with a 10mm wrench. Had to barrow the tools, remember I could not get to my tools because the bags were locked. So I looked up a lock smith. Found the only one within 150 miles his business is called "A Lake Powell Locksmith". Called the number 928-645-9377 and talked to his wife. The mans name is Kirk. Give Kirk a call if you need to up that way. Now my key was in my lock by itself, so apparantly it was just wore out. Kirk made me two new keys that fit tight and do not want to fall out in the on position. So for now I am going to use a lanyard to tie on the key to something else on the engine, like the spark plug wire. Never had a problem before loosing a key that was in an ignition switch, now I have. Learned a hard lesson, carry an extra key on long trips if not all the time. I must thank Kirk again for making me the keys, got me out of a bind. Also one of my friends loaned me his Triumph (NYSteve) to go get my keys made. Now I may just go ahead and make a new harness and relocate the ignition switch up top by the handlebars like most other bikes. I must also thank Victory for putting the ignition switch in such a dumbass location. So maybe I will make a relocation kit and maybe make a few bucks. SO do NOT trust your key in the on position, it may and can FALL out somewhere on the road. Oh and buy the way the key is the same as a Kawasaki key I was told, remember incase you end up keyless as I did in the middle of who knows where. May also install the no locking gas cap personally. Was a good trip with the AzRatpack, the guys helped me out of a crappie situation. Really I believe from now on two ignition keys will be with me on trips no matter what kind of bike I have.:eek:
 
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#2 ·
Good story sorry for the bad day, but ALL ENDED WELL .... Yes I brought a spare key in my bag on long trips

TaPaTaLk for VIC forum
 
#3 ·
#6 ·
I always keep a spare key in my pocket, one hidden on the bike and when my wife rides she has a spare set also.

Being that I have a Key less ignition and a Arlen Ness gas cap I really just need a key for the trunk and bags. One nice thing to giving your wife a key is if she gets to the bike before me she doesn't have to wait on me to access the trunk to start getting ready for the ride.
 
#7 ·
Sum thin else to worry about now.. dam.....:eek:
 
#8 · (Edited)
If you still have an original key there should be a number stamped into it on the metal. Write it down and keep it with you. A key can be made by that number (not so much with a Vision, sorry).
Another help is take a picture of the key, with number showing, and keep on your phone or in email to yourself that you can access to show a locksmith.

I keep a spare key on a lanyard around my neck and another in one of my pockets, usually the coin pocket of my jeans.The key I use to start bike is kept loose with change in another pocket.

Speaking of locksmiths, be careful of folks calling and advertising themselves as locksmiths. There are thousands of wannabes and scammer locksmiths in this country, I know because I am a licensed locksmith in Illinois.

You should be able to find a legit smith here. www.findalocksmith.com.
 
#9 ·
WTF.. your key FELL OUT WHILE RIDING ? seriously ? I have never heard of such a thing... ever. makes me think to test my key.
 
#10 ·
Yep, it can happen depending on how the key is cut (configuration), wear on the key and pins/wafers inside the lock and if you have the key on a fob or ring with other keys, all hanging from the ignition flopping around in the wind causing extra wear inside the key cylinder.
 
#11 ·
I have my car key and my bike key on their own rings which all clip to a main ring. The only thing that hangs from my key is the key ring, no fob.
 
#12 ·
Ahhh i remember the older ignition switches on some cars had issues if you car keys chain looked like it belong to a janitor. It would do the same thing.. cause the ignition switch to fail. I only have one key on my bikes anyway... but that is good info and makes me think about a spare with me.
 
#13 ·
I have a key zip tied to the harness in an area that can be easily reached but is also hidden from view and weather. On anything more than a day trip wife carries her spare. In the trunk a keep a key for the trailer, lowers, hitch and tongue lock.
I do check the key often when riding, I've had a key fall out of an ignition already, not a Victory, and it was luck that it snagged on it's travels to the roadway.
 
#14 ·
+ I learned the fallacy of "one key" back in 1952, when I locked myself out of my first car and had to break the wind wing - remember those? I figured I would always leave my car with my pants on, so I always had a second key in my pocket from then on and still do to this day.
+ So you zip tie a spare key to your bike and what if it gets stolen? Best that spare key is your pocket.
+ No weight should be on an ignition key. If I was a GM attorney, I'd look into how much other stuff was on the keys of those who are suing GM for ignition lock failures. I'll wager their key rings looked like a jailer's.
 
#17 ·
I wish I had a dollar for every time I told a Harley owner their lights were on. :devil
 
#18 ·
Keys

The trip was a good trip, except for the key getting lost. Yes the key fell out somewhere on the road. Could not fill up the gas or get into the bags to get to my tools. I am really thinking of the keyless fuel cap now. Just figured I would mention my misfortune, so maybe others can learn from it, and avoid the hassles it caused. Also missed out on a some fun happenings because I was screwing with the bike instead of hiking a trail with some others on the ride. The ride was fun, wet, cold and sort of a pain,ha, ha. But you know from now on I will be remembered as the "key guy" or something of that nature from my riding friends. I was thinking also I like to think I carry enough items on a trip to hopefully help myself or somebody else out: tools, air pump, plug kit, jumper cables, flash light, but oh yes I forgot to carry an extra freakin key.:crzy:
 
#19 ·
The keyless fuel cap is a bit costly ... Grrrr

TaPaTaLk for VIC forum
 
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