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Cruiser
Posts: 53
Ann Arbor, MI | I locked the handlebars the other day to go into an auto parts store. When I came back out I could not get it unlocked. I fiddled with the key in every way I could think of for an hour. My neighbor brought the spare key so I could even try that. I sprayed Lock-Ease into the cylindars and that too was to no avail. In the end the neighbor leaned on the key with the palm of his hand and it depressed further and unlocked.
I have not locked it again and won't until I'm sitting at the dealer. I just wanted to post this so if it happens to anyone else try leaning on the key.
On a side note: Don't get stranded in an auto parts parking lot. Everybody is a mechanic and wants to offer their advice, mostly through only half of their teeth.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 82
Northwest of you | I didn't even know the Vision had that feature and can't think of a situation where I would lock the "forks". I usually leave the key in it when I go into the store or am just leaving the bike for a few minutes. Of course, my key is slightly disguised, but, I don't think anyone is going to be "running off" with my bike? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 53
Ann Arbor, MI | My vehicles have been broken into and stolen from 3 times and vandalized twice. I guess it depends on where you live. The steering lock also locks the glove box which is where my GPS power adapter and registration is at. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Visioneer - 2008-04-21 8:19 AM My vehicles have been broken into and stolen from 3 times and vandalized twice. I guess it depends on where you live. The steering lock also locks the glove box which is where my GPS power adapter and registration is at. Yes, I lock mine out of shear habit. I don't ever expect to get broken into or stolen, but I don't want to make it easy if they do. I find mine to be a little finicky as well and always remember to pull back on the left handle bar to ease the lock and it seems to work okay. Since I always press down, as that is the way to lock it also, I've not notice it catching on simply unlocking. You shouldn't have any other issues with it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 53
Ann Arbor, MI | I was trying to push down on it and so was the neighbor. It obviously wasn't going down far enough. The neighbor and I were talking while he was leaning on the key and it suddenly went down all the way. He's a pretty big guy. Just squeezing the key between your thumb and index finger and pushing wasn't forceful enough for either of us. I've locked the bike at least a dozen times before without an issue so it appears that something has changed. The dealer forgot to order the parts for the ignition switch recall but he should have them by now. We can look at it more closely when it's apart.
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Cruiser
Posts: 66
Harrisburg, PA | You do have to push the key down to turn the cylinder to lock and unlock... The presure from the steering pushing to the right puts pressure on the locking pin. The steering wheel on my SUV sometimes does the same if I park with the wheels turned. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Did you read about locking your forks in your Owner's Manual? I haven't locked my forks in a zillion years on my "old" Vics but your need to push the key in to lock or unlock, I forgot which. |
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Tourer
Posts: 354
20 miles west of Chicago. | Not to suggest that appropriate security measures should not be taken, but I can recall having heard of one Vic being stolen, and that was taken in a burglary from the owner's garage. They're just not well known enought yet to rate highly on bike thieves' demand list. I hope it stays that way, but I'm afraid the popularity and recognition of the Vision may change that. |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | Unless I missed you mentioning it, it is just as important to wiggle the handlebars
left & right as it is to put any downward pressure on the key.
Herb |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | g1nomad, no doubt about it, that is probably the most important action when doing the unlock. Just a little wiggle with do it.  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Visioneer,
A few people had that happen on the C50 Suzukis. It happened when someone, (like when they were in the store, restaurant, etc.) reefed on the handlebars when it was locked. It would bend the locking pin so badly that they would actually have to replace the ignition unit.
That's one of the reasons I stopped locking my forks on that bike.
I don't know if the same thing is possible on the Vision, but it's a thought.
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | IF the bike is EVER stolen, would locking the forks be an issue as to paying a claim? I know it is with other things, such as locking the door on your car. What is others experience with this? I would rather pain myself to lock the forks everytime then not and it get stolen and the insurance company places some liability on because I didn't employ standard anti-theft measures. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 97
Brighton, Colorado | I'm not real sure, but I think I remember the dealer telling me the little compartment automatically locks when the bike is turned off and the key is out. Not sure though. Wouldn't want to get any "misinformation" out there, because I know EVERYTHING that is written on this forum is absolute truth!!!!!!!!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Nope! No lock on the little compartment until you lock the handlebars, then it locks. Oh yeah!, Squeak is like 110 years old, because it is the absolute truth. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 140
| If mine is ever stolen, I can absolutely guarantee that the fork was locked. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | lowtone9 - 2008-04-21 5:13 PM
If mine is ever stolen, I can absolutely guarantee that the fork was locked.
I can hear it now. "Sir, were your forks locked" when your bike was stolen.......Oh heck yes!!!!  |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Fork lock seems to work better after the ignition switch recall. Related? not sure. Took a ride to the Renaissance Faire sun., didnt have to worry, parking security never took their eyes off it. All of them had to get a look. All their comments were positive. The one assigned to that area had to make sure we knew that everyone thought it was the most beautiful bike they had ever seen when we were leaving. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | I had the same thing happen the very first time I locked the forks!!!!! Right after I got the scooter home and parked in the garage, I engaged the lock just to see how it worked when my neighbor came over to see it. I pushed it outside the garage and then could NOT get the lock undone!!!!! I pushed for all I was worth, moved the bar back and forth, and just plain fought with it for a good 5 minutes before I gave up. He got his eye full and I went in, got a beer and had a seat for a while. Afterwards I finally got it unlocked and took it back to the dealer the next day to see about this problem. The service manager tried it a number of times and had no problem/could not duplicate it. I did not lock it again for nearly 4 months!!!! Now for reasons I cannot explain it seems much better, I lock it at work and almost never have a problem. Once in a while it will seem stuck but a little movement of the bar and a good hard push down on the switch seems to unlock it each time. Maybe I was just holding my mouth wrong again!!!
Ride Safe, Ride Often!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 319
| My fork lock seemed to be a little "stiff" I sprayed some silicone into the lock area...everything seems fine now |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | I just wanted to say thanks for this post. I hadn't tried the fork lock. I did it today before my ride and it was little stiff the first time, but it loosened up after a few times. What I was really thankful for was learning that the compartment where I keep my iPod does lock. I've been taking it out every time I went somewhere to make sure it wouldn't get stolen. You learn something new every day. I rode to a Hooters today for lunch with a buddy and the manager and several other customers were all standing around checking it out. Nice to know they couldn't get into the compartment, not that they would have stolen it, but I've taken to putting my wallet in there as well when I ride, so it's nice to know. |
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Locked out of my bike