Steering lock tumbler

[Joe Sull]

My steering hasn't locked since I assembled the bike. I haven't had much call to lock it but it would be good to have it working.
It did work before but it was a little finicky now it's not working at all. I thought that the problem was paint in the lock hole stopping the bolt from engaging. I took off the ignition so I could take a look and the bolt is not coming forward when I try it. I oiled the hell out if it but no luck. I see screws to take it apart. My list of parts I need keeps getting longer and I'd like to not add a ignition switch to it.

Has anyone messed with the lock tumbler with success. Are little balls and springs going to fly?

[Dads_FJ]

dunno myself... take it apart in a 5 gallon bucket just in case.

[Fj.itis]

I got mine to work off the bike but only because i could push the little clip down with a small screw driver to enable the lock to spin right around. Cant seem to get it to work on the bike due to me not wanting to take a screw driver everywhere.

I think its designed so that you push down on the key then the clip stays there then you can spin, but i cant get the clip to stay down with just the key by itself. Let us know if you manage to find a solution.

[Bryce]

I got an '84 last year and the steering lock never worked so I took it apart shortly after I bought it and had a look.  Pretty poor design as it relied on a piece of plastic that had worn right out.  I could be wrong but it looked like it was engineered so that if a previous owner had tried to jam on the steering lock too hard with the lock misaligned the plastic would be toast.

[Joe Sull]

Some times things just escape me. My steering lock was working properly all the time or at least it's pretty vague as I look back. I was unaware, even after reading in the manual that you push down on the lock then release it then turn to engage the lock. I'm sure I tried every combination of movement. There may have been some crap inside, I donno. Anyway It's working. I took pics so I could put it together and you can take a look.











When you push this thingy in with the key, it moves down and out of the way. When you let the key up
It's clear to turn CCW.


Heres the thing up

Thing down


When you turn the switch CW, theres a cam on the bottom of this piece that pushes the thingy back up.


I got the key tumbler out and got that nice and clean. The key must be in or things go flying.

I guess I should have read the instructions twice!