the steering lock on my 85 k100rt does not work.
same key works ignition,seat and gas cap without a problem so my guess they are all original...
i have drenched it in penetrating oil with no luck. key enters but does not turn.
how does one go about removing it ?
looks like the brass rivet holding the cap on has to be destroyed.

Larry

Larry you will have to push the key in then turn it you cant just turn the key after you have put it in the lock and the bars need to be at the correct angle (turned left I think) so the locking mechanism engages in the slot in the stem of the tripple clamp. What you do is push the mechanism in to engage the slot then turn the key to lock it in place and then to unlock I have found you need to put inward pressure and turn to unlock then the mechanism comes out of the slot and remove the key.

I rarely use mine as on an LT it is difficult to get at.

When I first got my K I messed with it for months and when I had the fairing off for a respray I had a good go at it and found out how it was supposed to work. Ther're tricky little critters.

just went out in the garage and gave it a try with no luck. my lock is on the lft so the forks have to be turned to the rght to expose the lock. even tried a gentle tap with a punch with the key in the lock. i only get about 1/16 " rotation and 1/16" movement in. get the same with key in or out. it's the only thing left on the bike to fix.... got everything else working just great !! could be some stuck springs and pegs in the lock from no use. only got 13k miles in 26yrs. found a bearing in the diff bad that i believe was from sitting out of lube level for so looong. couldn't get the fork oil to drain from one leg at 1st it was so gunky. ran some kerosene through it for a while then refilled it with fork oil. what a nice ride now. the exaust baffles have rotted out just enough to give it a very sweet note too.

I was once parked in Burlington, Vermont on my R75/7 (same basic lock principal) and locked the steering. When I returned after dark the bloody think would not unlock no matter what I tried. Picturing myself going hopelessly round and round in circles, I located a bloke with a drill and the time to kill (a most important thing in a strange city far from home) and we drilled it right out, lock cylinder and all. I too rarely use mine because it's such a bugger. But when I did a resto a few years back I replaced the lock since I wanted it as original as possible.

Yes, the small brass rivet gets drilled out (or off) and the cover falls away, then you just drill right through the bastard until the lock cylinder is gone, then with a slight twist the lock will come right out in your hands, in the 'locked' position or not.

Greetings, Which key are you using? I found that my K100 naked (1983) will not lock/unlock the steering with the normal key ( The one with the folding black plastic). A spare key had been supplied with the bike which was a non folding one could operate the steering lock. I believe that the blank for the spare is slightly longer and activate the bottom of the barrel. I hope this helps. Ainsjac

that makes perfect sence ainsjac ...i guess many of us are not original owners and dont have the original.. issued keys .....good to know im not on my own in finding this a frustration ....

i have 2 keys,both not folding,not original. i'll just drive all summer and put it on my "winter list"

You must turn the key anticlockwise, then push in and turn clockwise to lock. To unlock push in and turn anticlockwise.

Avenger GT wrote:You must turn the key anticlockwise, then push in and turn clockwise to lock. To unlock push in and turn anticlockwise.

Ah yeah thats right just shows how often I use mine. Come to think of it I don't even know if it still works.