Keyless Entry (Well, duh)

So... here's the deal. My ignition switch failed me and I made do with a paperclip to get me home. I didn't really feel like taking the switch off to clean it out so I just grabbed an automotive switch and stuck it in the bracket/plug? for the wiring. So far so good since I rely on the ugly bike deterrent as my primary means of avoiding theft. But, I've been strongly considering sexing up my bike a whole bit and I'm not sure I'll be able to rely on the goodness of others for much longer when it comes to protecting my bike. But, I am always losing my key and it slows me down every morning trying to search for it.

So... here's my thought. I'd like to make a series of switches which need to be set to a certain pattern in order to provide power to the bike. I was wondering if anyone would have a recommendation on placement, or which switches to use, or really anything. One thing I was considering that I figured would be amazing is to rig an actual cylinder combo lock with internal wiring so that it would complete the circuit when it was spun to the correct combination. The added benefit of this mod would be that it would free up the space where the existing ignition switch is to add a 12 volt outlet for a charger or other electronics.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

why reinvent the wheel link

 

The ONLY thing worse than losing your keys??

Is forgetting the position of all them switches.

Only thing worse than forgetting the position of all them switches is flunking the test where the guy is facing you with his arm out straight ... clenched fist on one side and waving hello on the other and you fail to answer correctly when he asks:

"In which hand is the rock"??

 

A couple years ago, some one said they were going to have an ignition that senses a card in your wallet. You approach the bike- - it comes alive.
Like the bike actually knows you.

 

With modern smart keys and RFID that might actually work on a modern FI'ed bike in neutral... Or at least an car-like auto-start button

 

Time, didn't the guy have a sensor under the seat, so when you sat on it it fired up?

 

Kawi's new concours 1400 (the one with the variable cams) is push button start so long as you have the key fob in your pocket. A few cars do too but somebody has a patent on resetting the trip odometer when the car can no longer sense the fob so you have a good guess of where you tossed your keys out the window so Kawi couldn't add that.

I had a free to me rat bike for a bit with no ignition switch but I had a key for the seat latch (found it taped inside the headlight bucket, clever). Just lift up the skateboard seat and turn it to "on" and kick it over. The switch pod killswitch still worked for safety purposes.

 

You could get a fingerprint sensor from a laptop and have it "know" who you are.. Or one of those iris scanners like on Mission Impossible..

Or of course, you could get a new lock, like Polock suggests, and attach the key to a belt clip via a long chain, like I do.. Never lose my keys, and can even get them out of my pocket with gloves on!! (By pulling on the chain)

 

Replace the ignition switch and change your habbits . Put a bowl next to your door in the house and make it a habbit to put your keys and pocket change in there when you come inside. That way everytime you leave your keys are in the bowl.

 

Agreed mlew, 'cause there's nothing easier than stealing a bike without a handlebar position lock.

 

There is PSteele.. Stealing a bike with a key left in the ignition.

That's why mine are on a 1m thin chain.. I can't walk away from the bike with the key in the ignition.. And I've no need of a pot either.

 

OK Swissjon - settle down! Thanks for the early morning chuckle though.

I'm cheap but not that cheap.

What I meant was that a bike without an ignition cylinder is easy to steal, as there is nothing locking the bars. A "combination lock" of 6 switches or a hundred switches is irrelevant if someone can literally walk away with your ride.

 

LoL.. I know... But it's afternoon here and my morning caffiene dose has kicked in, so I'm playing..

Seriously though.. I do attach my keys to my belt clip.. In the spring and Autumn, when it's cold and my hands are freezing, I don't want to take my gloves off, so the chain is a godsend.. There's been more than one occasion when I've gone to pay for petrol and left the key in the cap lock.

I work in a secure area too, so I have to walk around looking like a prison guard, forgetting my keys at home means I have to go back home and that's an hour in either direction, so the chain thing was a bargin.

http://www.discountlocks.co.uk/Retracta ... ZwodpFJOdA

 

This is a great idea for us memory challenged gearheads...maybe we could extend this to look after all those box-end wrenches I keep losing track of. They may clank around but wouldn't one feel important with a waist full of them?

 

:lol:

I know this is of little help, but something fun...when I was a little kid, I had a buddy who's dad drove a total POS, but his ignition switch was an interior wall light switch (that you'd have in your living room). At the time, I thought it was the coolest thing ever.

 

My jeep has one of those starter kill chips in it. It won't even crank without the chip plugged in. When I'm at the lake or some place keys could get good and lost I'll pull the chip out, lock it in the glove box and leave the keys in it.

I figure I'll be back to the jeep before any casual theif finds the chip and then where it goes to start it and drive off.

Of course if they really want it keys or no keys isn't going to make a difference.

 

your talkin about me arnt you??! ARNT YOU!?!?!?
haha


i left my bike parked on the sidewalk, infront of a movie theatre in a more sketchy part of calgary. couldnt find my keys after the show... freakin out, then i saw them in the ignition.

good thing i took my helmet in with me i guess? hah.

 

LoL.. Number of times I've left the keys in the ignition when I stop outside a shop before I got my chain.. Never done it in a movie theatre I must admit.. Luckily Switzerland (or at least the part where I live) is relatively safe. Left the front door wide open one time and wnt away for the weekend.. My neighbour came round and closed it for me the following day.

 

I keep my keys in my pocket!! I have never lost them or misplaced them why you ask? Because it like a wristwatch you know that you don't have it by the feeling on your wrist, empty! And thats how my pocket feels with out my keys, empty and yes I have all my keys together that I need for my daily life. My wife has a set of spares with all my keys as well as one at home. Never been with out my keys, it would be like leaving the house with out your pants on!

 

keyless entry?
viper alarm, adapted to the motorcycle with remote start....
I've seen it done, you're talking about sexing the bike, might as well do it right

 

I still like the whole set of switches idea... Like mentioned avobe if some one wants your ride key or no key its gonna be gone.. With these switches you either need a truck or your going to have to walk my bike away cuz you sure ain't riding it.

 

This is what I did on my bike. I have an aviation style switch (the one that has the flip up cover) mounted on the top rear of my headlight housing, and another one, well I'm not telling...



Only thing is, I still have the locking gas cap, so I still have to bring my key.

 

I've been thinking about taking 3 6-position rotary switches and placing them somewhere. 6*6*6=216 possible combinations (maybe...it's late...). Plus, most people I know wouldn't take my bike for free!

Add theft insurance to it for a few bucks a month, and you no longer have a problem!

And if you're really concerned, do like Lou...add that extra hidden switch. Leave it alone until you decide you're going to spend 8 hours in at the shipyards.

 

Just get a combination lockbox like real estate agents use to lock a key to the front door and hang it on your bike somewhere.