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How to Re-key Locks

Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 8:28 pm
by roncar
Not liking to carry anymore keys than I have to, I, over the years, have developed an interest in locks and how they work. With the GL1000's and GL1100's at ~30 years old, lots of things have been changed over the years including locks. I have run into two different keys. From my experience the 1000 and 1100 use key blank number HD74 (X84) and the 1200 and some aftermarket ignition switches uses HD75 (X138). The cross section of these keys are exactly opposite of each other. Therefore if you have a mixture of both, there is no way to rekey to one key for all locks.
EDIT Oct 17,2015-- There are 4 different keys, not 2. While they look the same, HD72 and HD73 key blanks are used for 75 and 76 OEM locks. HD74 and HD75 are used on 77-79 GL1000's, 80-83 Gl1100's, 84-87 GL1200's, 88-00 GL1500's and many other Honda motorcycles. 83-00 use different codes making some of the wafers different that won't work with keys from the other codes. If your locks use the same codes (5 number, 3 number, 3digit alpha numeric) and have the same profile, you should have no problem re-keying them the same.
On a side note, the later keys (HD74 and HD75) will usually fit and work in the earlier locks (HD72 and HD73.) The reverse is NOT true though. HD72 and HD73 keys WILL NOT insert in locks built for HD74 and HD75 keys. Also note that the key numbers I'm using, HD72-75, are Ilco EZ numbers and other key blank manufacturers may or may not use these numbers.

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Keep in mind that rekeying a lock will make the key code on that lock invalid. You probably should obliterate it to prevent future confusion. I have a keying kit for Honda cars that the wafers work nicely in the Goldwing locks.

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Starting at the end first the actually rekeying is fairly easy. I am starting with this first because the procedure is the same regardless of the lock being rekeyed. Disassembly for the different locks follows the rekeying procedures.


REKEYING THE TUMBLER

Insert your key and see how many wafers are already lined up flush with the edge. Remove the key and the wafers that didn't line up. Try the removed wafers in different positions until as many as possible are flush with the edge of the tumbler with the key inserted. In this case I got 3 to line up.

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At this point there are several options.
1. Leave the wafers out but be sure to remove their associated springs so they don't fall out and jam the lock.
2. Replace the wafers with the correct ones from a wafer kit or a donor lock, if either is available.
3. File the mismatched wafers down until they are flush.
I have used all 3 methods over the years, and they all will work.
Remember to always exercise the lock with the key after reassembly and installation and before actually locking something.



DISSASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS



GL1100 SADDLEBAG AND TRUNK LOCKS

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Remove the circlip from the back of the lock and the tumbler will come out the front. Watch the orientation of the parts so they can be reassembled correctly. Put together wrong the lock won't operate properly, if at all.


HELMET LOCK


Remove the screw holding the cover on the back of the lock. (Some of the locks have bradded posts holding the cover on. I have had success by prying the cover off the posts. The cover gets bent and must be straightened out to reassemble. When the lock is mounted, the cover has nowhere to go, so I don't worry with reattaching them.)

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Remove the cover while pressing in on the helmet post. The post is spring loaded and will fly across the room if not held in place.

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There is an extra wafer in the tumbler to lock the tumbler in the housing. Depress this wafer flush with the edge of the tumbler with a scribe or small screwdriver. While holding the locking wafer the tumbler will now come out the front of the lock.

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Again make sure the parts are placed right when reassembling. Don't misplace the locking wafer or the tumbler won't stay in.

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Again hold the helmet post all the way in while reassembling.



GL1100 TRUNK ATTACHMENT LOCKS



Remove the spring and strike. The small cam is held in position by the back of the tumbler, so the tumbler has to be removed with it in place. A circlip holds the tumbler in place and has to be rotated to a position so it can be pried out. The tumbler then comes out the front of the lock.

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Once again watch the orientation on reassembly for proper operation.

HONDALINE SUITCASE LUGGAGE ATTACHMENT LOCKS

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Remove the bracket from the back of the lock. There are 2 rivet posts holding the innards in the lock. Break them loose and the guts of the lock will come out the back. Again when reassembled the bracket will keep anything from falling out so don't sweat the rivets.


75-77 SHELTER LOCK

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Remove the circlip and the tumbler will come out the front of the lock.

I have been unsuccessful, so far, with the following locks.


1. Ignition (destroyed the lock in the attempt)

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2. 78-79 Shelter lock (have 2 with no keys and need one now, so will probably be destroying one soon)

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3. GL1100 Shelter locks (was able to do, but required prying the chrome ring off the front of the lock and I was not real happy with the cosmetic result. But the lock DID work)

So on 78 and newer try to have matched locks for the ignition and shelter cover. All the rest can be easily keyed alike.

Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 8:39 pm
by Cookie
Thanks for the tips Ron. I've only done locks that had pins and it shows me that if I want to work on these I'd need wafers.

Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 10:08 am
by Brant
Thanks Ron- As per your suggestion in another thread, I was able to rekey the locks on my interstate bags to match the ingnition key on my 1100. Thanks again for the info.

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:08 pm
by confish86
Ron great write up & i do have one question , with the gas tank still in the frame , how would you get to the screws on the back of the helmet lock .

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:17 pm
by roncar
confish86 wrote:Ron great write up & i do have one question , with the gas tank still in the frame , how would you get to the screws on the back of the helmet lock .
I assume you are talking 1100? 1000 is by the rear wheel. Needle nose vice-grip pliers comes to mind. I don't have one here to look at, but I do remember installing one without disassembling anything.

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:30 pm
by confish86
roncar wrote:
confish86 wrote:Ron great write up & i do have one question , with the gas tank still in the frame , how would you get to the screws on the back of the helmet lock .
I assume you are talking 1100? 1000 is by the rear wheel. Needle nose vice-grip pliers comes to mind. I don't have one here to look at, but I do remember installing one without disassembling anything.
Thanks will give it a try next weekend

Re: How to Re-key Locks

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 3:51 pm
by JBz
Hi Ron. dinking around with some locks here and noticed the codes have 6 numbers like 7RB115 reading from the key end and the locks have 5 wafers, Im trying to put a number 1 wafer in a lock taking it out of another lock where the number1 wafeer was in a differant slot. I can see any number on the wafers themselves. Anything you can add. Thanks JB

Re: How to Re-key Locks

Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:10 am
by RB
Very nice write up..another option remove all the wafers/springs..now it not a lock just a latch that any key that will fit in will operate..or screw driver..but no on knows that but you!!!

Re: How to Re-key Locks

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:38 pm
by BlueThunder
Ron, great write up. You just need to learn how to use the Macro feature on your camera :-D

Re: How to Re-key Locks

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 2:16 pm
by roncar
BlueThunder wrote:Ron, great write up. You just need to learn how to use the Macro feature on your camera :-D
Amazing how the look fine on the camera's small screen and like crap when I get inside and post them. :cry:
I usually run a disclaimer. :lol:
DISCLAIMER:

First I am NOT:
1. a photographer
2. a writer
3. an engineer
4. a trained motorcycle mechanic

Nor do I play one on TV and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Re: How to Re-key Locks

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:50 pm
by JohnBaxter
Awesome article, but where can you buy or aquire the wafer kit required ??? :8)

Re: How to Re-key Locks

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 9:27 pm
by roncar
Got mine off eBay.

Re: How to Re-key Locks

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 5:01 pm
by egelasi
This looks like it should work for the 1000 also. Correct? I want my shelter/helmet locks to match my new ignition key.

Roncar, you said you got your kit on Ebay...any other source?

Thanks
Ed G

Re: How to Re-key Locks

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:05 pm
by roncar
egelasi wrote:This looks like it should work for the 1000 also. Correct?
Yes. Most of my rekeying has been on 1000's
egelasi wrote:I want my shelter/helmet locks to match my new ignition key.
Remember, Honda used 2 different keys. One has an exact opposite profile of the other. If your key you want to use will not physically fit in the lock you want to key it to, can't be done (at least not easily.)
egelasi wrote:Roncar, you said you got your kit on Ebay...any other source?

Thanks
Ed G
There are other places to get the kits, but, 1. they want more than I'm willing to pay, and 2. most are companies that prefer (only) sell to locksmiths. eBay sellers don't care who they sell to.

I have seen more than once where a kit is not needed. Just rearranging the wafers changes it to the new key. If your ignition key will fit in your shelter lock, take the shelter lock apart (it's the easiest) and see of they will line up by moving wafers around. If it works then the helmet locks will too.

BE VERY CAREFUL OF SMALL PARTS. They are easily lost.

Re: How to Re-key Locks

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:54 pm
by egelasi
THANKS, RON!!! action1

I sent you a PM but you answered part of my question with your post.

Ed