Re-keying locks

I have a 1981 KZ1000 being upgraded to a K. Between all the parts I have collected, I believe I have four locks requiring three different keys, and the only actual key I have is for the gas tank. Has anyone ever taken these locks apart to change the pins? The main engine key seems especially well encased, and I just don't see how it's supposed to come apart.

Here you go.
From the fantastic and ever useful 'Practical Sportsbike' (June 2012 .Issue 20.)





Hope this helps.

While it does look like a great article for someone who knows nothing about pinning a lock, my entire question was based around what this article boils down in step one to "remove barrel from outer casing."

After starting the initial subject, I thought I would grab the ignition lock and take a closer look at it specifically. Turned it over to look at the bottom and --ugh! All of the plastic is busted out and springs are falling loose. I don't know if it got damaged while sitting in the box or if it was that way when I removed it from the bike, but I obviously need to buy a whole new ignition switch. Maybe once I have one apart I'll discover a retaining pin or circlip holding the lock together, but on the plus side at least I'll have some extra pins to work with now.

So... in addition to the original question of how to get the locks apart, does anyone happen to have a full set of locks for sale for a 1981 kz1000 ltd that use the same key?

Send rstnick a P.M. he might be able to answer your question, he's a locksmith, & has made many people on here , keys for their bikes
Pete

Look for a small 4 digit number beginning in Z stamped into the body. You can then get keys cut to code, or even source an original NOS key. The seat locks often have them in a place you can't easily see unless you remove them.

Gas cap keys are no code, anything opens them, even a flat screwdriver. I think originally these may have been 'keyed alike', as in one key does everything, so getting one key cut to code might work on all your locks.

Anyone bought one of these new back in the day, was it one key for all locks?

@pete - Thanks, that may help!

@Tyrell - The idea here is to change all the locks so they use the same key, rather than having a different key for every lock on the same bike. Interesting about the gas caps though, I'll have to look at how this one is pinned when I pull it apart.

I am a Locksmith.
I can cut keys for bike locks by the code number, but rarely do I take the locks apart to rekey them.
Most don't come apart easy, and if they do, you do have to get it back together and stay together.
Also I do not have the wafers/tumblers for each type of lock, so can really just rearrange or file the wafers.
House or commercial locks are different, most are designed to be rekeyed.

Good instructions in the article above.