New key

[Harvy]

SO being the old fart that I am, I misplaced (read lost as in put it down somewhere and can't for the life of me remember where - you get the picture) my one and only FJ key.

Yesterday morning I removed the ignition switch and took it to a locksmith asking if he could make a new key from the barrel - sure can he says, leave it with me.

About half an hour later I get a phone call saying he has made 3 new keys for me. Wow that was fast I say.

NOW GET THIS EVERYONE - he tells me there if a key code on the bottom of the switch assembly - really faintly stamped into the metal under the steering lock component. He did not even have to take the barrel apart, just cut new keys from the code.

I picked it up in the afternoon and sure enough, 3 new keys (now I can loose 2 and still ride - lol) and there on the bottom I can just make out the code numbers stamped into the metal.

SO for anyone that has  LOST KEY SYNDROME - easy fix!

Cheers
Harvy

[axiom-r]

Hey Harvy,

Glad your guy found the code!  I restore older bikes and have found myself needing keys many times....  Discovered long ago that all the Japanese brands do the same thing on all models as far as I know...  On the older bikes the three digit code is on the face of the ignition for easy reading!!

PS- you can still get blanks from Yamaha that are a match for your original key too....  so find a blank, get your 3 dig code and bingo!

Tim

[Capn Ron]

Nice tip!

The Yamaha Jet boats have the code on the key cylinders as well.  I was able to order the keys and they showed up in a few days.   

[Pat Conlon]

Very good advice Harvy....get that key code and write it down.

I had that dilemma years ago...I too misplaced my key. I figured I'd take the bars off..pull the top triple and remove the key switch and take it down to my locksmith....

Unfortunately I found that the plug connector was tucked up under the frame neck, under the front of the tank.

You know where I going with this....right?
I found that I couldn't  get my tank off, 'cause I couldn't get my side panels off, 'cause I couldn't get my seat off, 'cause I didn't have the friggin key.....

Shit.... I really didn't want to start cutting/splicing wires, then again I really didn't want to bugger my seat lock.

I poured myself a cup of Joe, sat on my patio, had a smoke...thinking...
Just then, my lovely wife comes out and says "Honey, look what I found in the washing machine.."

[JoBrCo]

Hey Harvey, no worries mate, I did something similar quite some time ago, and I'd iterate the specifics, if it weren't for the fact that I've forgotten what they were.  No... I'm being completely serious, honestly! 

Cheers! 

FJ Forever!


JoBrCo

[red]

SO, I misplaced my one and only FJ key.
Yesterday morning I removed the ignition switch and took it to a locksmith asking if he could make a new key from the barrel - sure can he says, leave it with me.
there if a key code on the bottom of the switch assembly - really faintly stamped into the metal under the steering lock component. He did not even have to take the barrel apart, just cut new keys from the code.  SO for anyone that has LOST KEY SYNDROME - easy fix!
Cheers
Harvy

Harvy,

I will second Pat on the advice to write down the key code (as well as the phone number for that locksmith).  Put that information in your owner's manual.
The dealer can probably do this key job also, but that is usually a last resort; it's kinda costly to have new keys cut from code at the dealer.

Cheers,
Red

[charleygofast]

I love a story with a happy ending, espescially when bikes are involved. Now how do I go about about getting a key for my "new" gascap that is locked on my "new" spare 84 tank that I dont have a key for?                                                                                                                                                                            Charley.                                  

[Pat Conlon]

Spare tank? As in....not installed on the bike?

Easy, take the tank down to the locksmith...he will pick the lock.
Then with the cap open, take the cap off, give it to him and say....fix it!

[charleygofast]

Spare tank? As in....not installed on the bike?

Easy, take the tank down to the locksmith...he will pick the lock.
Then with the cap open, take the cap off, give it to him and say....fix it!

Yes, not on bike very nice red/silver 84 tank with a locked cap that I bought from one of our fellow members for a song!!!( Thanks again!) and yes thats what I'm going to do except I'm going to say..."key me Dude!"

[yamaha fj rider]

Later models of Yamaha, do not stamp in to the metal. It's a sticker most of the time on the side of the lock cylinder. After about ten years, the ink is long gone but you can still read the indentations in the sticker. Yamaha key code should be a letter followed by five numbers. They quit using three digit key codes back in the seventy's, as best as I can remember. Hope this helps.

Kurt