2003 Transalp Ignition Barrel Problem
 

650 Alp - 2003

Ignition barrel won't turn to the locking position. Have tried spraying WD40 into it, I've put copper grease on the key and turned it until my fingers were sore, I've wiggled the handlebars etc.
Bars will turn ok , key will go down when I press it but just won't go to the lock position.

Any ideas anyone???

Chris

I've no suggestions as to the solution, but the copper grease is really for use in high-temperature apps i.e. exhaust studs and the copper is quite abrasive in this high-useage item - so i'd get it out (the wd is fine). Is the headstock hole lining up with the pin from the lock?

WD 40 into the ignition barrel should free it up. use the little pipe to spray through. Leave it over night if it is stuborn.

Steve

Pottsy and Steve

Many thanks for your respective replies.

I've tried the WD40 route a few times and have left it overnight too. I only tried the copper grease method because I was recommended to do it by a bike mechanic!! I really have no idea what the problem might be with this. The ignition system works perfectly in every other way, it's just the locking bit that doesn't. I've made sure there's nothing stopping the bars from turning fully but still no joy. I'm totally lost. :(

Chris

Try taking the whole barrel off and trying it, the problem may then be more apparent.

Check you are going to full lock, to check this you can see the bottom triple clamp is stopping against the steering stop on the frame. If it is then you will have to take the ignition barrel of and check it is working. If it is working off the bike, the only thing to stop it can be a miss-alignment.

Has it ever worked?

Any crash damage?

Steve

Thinking about this a bit more.

it could be the triple clamps are miss-aligned. the steering stop is on the bottom clamp and the ignition barrel is on the top clamp. it only needs a small amount and the lock will not work.

Steve

Steve
Thanks for your patience and help. I've tried what you suggested and still no joy. I am baffled by this problem. I've only had the bike a few months and it has never worked for me. Obviously there is a previous issue with it but the previous owner wasn't forthcoming with the problem and I clearly wasn't clever enough to check it first!!

Chris

Hi

It sounds like the same problem I had this winter. I left the bike, went to Greenland for five months and when I returned - Voila - It was all good.

Maybe this is not the best solution. But when I faced the issue, I heard about a lot of other bikers who had a similar problem. Apparently some small plastic part inside the barrel can break and jam the mechanism. Nothing else to do but replace it. They are not too pricy and fitting a new one shouldn't be too hard. Fixing a broken barrel (at least when this little platic f***** is broken) is not possible according to what I could find.

I'm making some some kind of cover for the lock to use during winter and then I'll try to remember to oil it every once in a while.

I'll try and find a link for you

Best of luck
Ryan

Chris, I think the solution is try putting the key in the other way round. (the tri-angle cut-out at the bottom in igniton on position.)
It happend to me yesterday at a bike meeting, when i arrived after riding with everyone else, she didnt want to go to lock position. (I remember adding my key from in front of the headlight hence the key being back to front). When leaving, I added my key from behind the stearing, like a normal biker, lol, when i got home, put her in the garage turned the key and she went all the way to lock. 2004 TA.
ta-all-the-way