kawasaki kz650 csr steering lock

Looking for a little noobie help here. I bought a 1981 kz650 CSR which was delivered to my residence in working order, the original owner showed me how to lock, and unlock the steering column. It's in great shape. Cool. I came the next day to check it out a little more, unlocked the column, and locked it again. Now I can't unlock it. I sat there for literally 20 minutes trying to unlock the bike, came back another day, tried again no luck. Tried the key both ways, moved the handlebars while trying to unlock it. Can you guys give me any idea/clues what it could be? From what I can tell I'm just dumb as hell. Help. I want to ride my motorcycle! >:l

welcome, first off, I would not use the steering lock, they do hang up, and if someone really wants, a good hard pull will break it.
you might try shooting some penatrating oil in it, they get rusty real easy, and for the most part you will need to hold your mouth in the right position to get it to unlock

When trying to unlock (or lock) turn the key and then move bars gently and a little in each direction. Don't over due the moving bar part. And as above, I don't use mine either.

Be sure to push down on the key.

Well I'll give the more gentle and oiled approach a try. Thanks for your input guys, really comforting knowing I have a community here to guide me. What's involved in fixing this if I have no luck with the tips given here?

You might have to lower the headlight and replace the ignition switch/fork lock as a unit. I think some metric allen screws hold it into the bracket.

It takes 10 seconds to "fix" this. Grab the handlebars and turn them till the lock breaks. This is if it's the lock on the frame. If the lock is part of your ignition switch, I've never tried "fixing" that type. Buying junk bikes that the keys are missing with the steering locked, I've done a few of these.

The lock is integrated into the ignition switch.
Push & turn counter-clockwise to lock.
Push & turn clockwise to unlock.

And if that don't work, get a big hammer!! LOL




Boots

I cut mine off early on as it looked like it would cause havoc with my headlight position. Haven't missed it sense. Also noticed when cutting it, like others have said, the one in the steer tube is pretty flimsy.

Could you describe where it is in relation to an obvious part, possibly a picture?

shitimdumb wrote:

Could you describe where it is in relation to an obvious part, possibly a picture?

I can only show you where it was. Where it is now is somewhere out in the county landfill (the lock that is). The old mount is circled in red. It had a flimsy cover over it at one point.