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Great, I lost my key. IN THE BIKE.

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by sillydilly, Oct 28, 2008.

  1. sillydilly

    sillydilly Member

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    Hello, we had a little problem tonight :lol:

    Tonight me and a mate were looking for a place to hide a spare key, so we lifted up that plastic part around the keyhole to look, and he ended up dropping it, and it slid down the frame to like the very back of the gas tank. I can barely see it with a flashlight and it doesnt look easy to fish out.

    It looks about 18 inches deep in there and I'm clueless as to how I would get it out. I had a clever idea to take off the seat, pop off the tank, and VOILA... but you need the key to open the seat -.-

    So far Im guessing with a lot of luck I can fish it out, but all I can see is the key edged part, and not the actual key ring. Also with the forks and lights etc being in the way, it will be very hard!


    Any suggestions on an easier way getting it out? Any help would be appreciated!!

    Here's a diagram of where she landed.

    [​IMG]
     
    sillydilly, Oct 28, 2008
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  2. clhannah

    clhannah Member

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    you can pull the gas tank pretty easy. All you need is to open the helmet lock . . . with the key . . . oh. Mobile locksmith to pick the lock for $30?
     
    clhannah, Oct 29, 2008
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  3. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I have a couple of magnetic "pointers" (looks like a piece of car radio antenna with a magnet on one end and a screwdriver handle on the other.) You can get 'em at the front register of virtually any auto parts chain for about $3. My favorite one extends to about 30" and they are GREAT for retrieving dropped nuts, screws, KEYS, etc. You need one for your toolbox anyway.
     
    bigfitz52, Oct 29, 2008
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  4. stereomind

    stereomind Active Member

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    most keys are made of brass or some other non-ferrous alloy. if the key is on a keyring, you can grab the ring with a magnet, though.

    I had something similar happen once in my car, so I used an air compressor to dislodge the key out of its hiding spot, and finally got it out with a pair of hemostats.
     
    stereomind, Oct 29, 2008
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  5. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    If it slid down there, it'll slide out, just get 2 more guys and stand the bike on it's nose. It only weighs 500 LBs.

    You could take the battery out if you're worried about spilling acid, and the tank will leak a little.
     
    TIMEtoRIDE, Oct 29, 2008
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  6. bill

    bill Active Member

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    The easiest solution is to unbolt the grab rail and remove it. Lock goes with it and it should flex enough to unlatch the post from the seat. Then you can lift the tank.

    Be careful flexing the rail it can be snapped at the shock mount. I believe you can get it off without flexing anyway.
     
    bill, Oct 29, 2008
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  7. bill

    bill Active Member

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    Site acting strange - double post
     
    bill, Oct 29, 2008
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  8. sillydilly

    sillydilly Member

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    Thanks for all the replies guys, I'll be sure to try them out (except for the lifting one)

    And bill, good thing, my grab bar is already snapped at the shock mount. I hadn't even though of taking that off >_<
     
    sillydilly, Oct 29, 2008
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  9. 85MaximXX

    85MaximXX Member

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    Once you get the key back and have a duplicate made just duct tape a key to the inside of one of your side panels. It will stay put for years nobody looks inside them so the tape adhesive isn't a big deal. That or you can zip tie it up in there under on of the covers. either way you will have a spare that you can reach if needed.
     
    85MaximXX, Oct 29, 2008
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  10. asphaltgecko

    asphaltgecko Member

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    Straigtened Coat Hanger, duct tape wrapped around end, ( just a little and neat ) "" gel " super glue, good drop of it on end of tape, stick down there and hold on end of key till hard, pull out...

    or you could just hire the hulk to lift it upside down and shake it....LOL
     
    asphaltgecko, Oct 29, 2008
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  11. Ltdave

    Ltdave Member

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    no, the easist way is to pick the bike up, flip it over and give it a shake...

    the key will fall right out and you dont have to reassemble anything...

    VIOLA! as Kelly Bundy would mispronounce Voila!
     
    Ltdave, Oct 29, 2008
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  12. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    if unsuccessful, the bike is gonna look WAY COOL with that piece of coat hanger wire sticking out from under the tank--where it was deftly superglued...
     
    bigfitz52, Oct 29, 2008
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  13. bill

    bill Active Member

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    Not THAT's funny, I don't care who you are...
     
    bill, Oct 29, 2008
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  14. Artie(RT)

    Artie(RT) Member

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    Well,

    Instead of super glue why wouldn't a ball of just duct tape work pretty well?

    Also, with respect to the locksmith idea ...usually (not always, but usually) if you have the owner's manual the key serial number is written inside.

    I had a locksmith make a spare key for me. All he needed was the key's serial number.
     
    Artie(RT), Oct 29, 2008
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  15. sillydilly

    sillydilly Member

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    Haha thanks for the tips guys, but I bent the lever of the seat a little, took it off and unbolted the tank. Tank lifted right up and there she was, sitting among the frame and wires XD

    Now, time to get a spare :p
     
    sillydilly, Oct 29, 2008
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  16. asphaltgecko

    asphaltgecko Member

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    f unsuccessful, the bike is gonna look WAY COOL with that piece of coat hanger wire sticking out from under the tank--where it was deftly superglued...

    hmmmm..... small dab of superglue, long coathanger that can be twisted
    around easily.... GETTING STUCK NOT AN OPTION... sorry to bust your baloon... LOL
     
    asphaltgecko, Oct 29, 2008
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