Key Sticking in ignition

[zxr_lover]

Hey folks,

As the title says, when i put the key in ignition its hard to turn it to start engine etc.

was wondering what would be best thing to spray or put in it? i.e wd40 or grease or something?

Cheers

[RedexRobB]

Id run a bit of oil down the barrel by opening the little cover at the top of the lock and putting a couple of drops in.

[masterofinsanity]

have you wiggled the steering whilst you turn it?

[rene]

spray a load of WD40 into the lock, i normaly do it after i wash the bike, keeps everything working nicely

[Jamz]

have you wiggled the steering whilst you turn it?

I'm with this. On a lot of bikes I've had sometimes it was hard to lock/unlock the steering unless I moved the bars slightly.

What you have to remember is that the steering lock is essentially just a big old metal pin that pops out of the ignition barrel when you turn the key, and locates into a hole on the frame.

[rene]

think he means when its in the 'Off' postion and moving it to the 'On' postion rather than getting the steering lock off...i think

[Jamz]

Yeah, same concept - if the pin is pressed against the side of the locating hole it will make it stiff to turn the key to unlock it.

[rene]

but the pin will already be inside the barrel so shouldnt effect it.

[zxr_lover]

think he means when its in the 'Off' postion and moving it to the 'On' postion rather than getting the steering lock off...i think

your bang on there mate, its when am sat on the bike with the steering lock off and the key is in say the off position then trying to turn it on, will give it a bash tonight with the oil see what happens.

cheers guys.

[RedexRobB]

I found with my XJR that the kay was wearing, tried the other key and it solved it, also found that wiggling the key a bit also helped.

[zxr_lover]

i only got 1 key with mine and i think its the original so its a bit worn and i got a key copied and its basically the exact copy so won't make much difference.

[masterofinsanity]

rub some vinegar on the key

[zxr_lover]

just gave it a spray of wd40 seems to have done the trick, time will tell me thinks...

[Jamz]

Ahh I see...

Yeah, that's most likely a job for WD40 or maybe even some silicon spray?

I make it routine like Rene, and spray a squirt of WD40 into the keyhole every time I wash the bike.

[rene]

I make it routine like Rene, and spray a squirt of WD40 into the keyhole every time I wash the bike.

is this a annual thing then?