Topic: Removing locked seat without key

[Laminar]

Great info, that's definitely the route I'll take.

[Laminar]

Take the cover off the steering lock and check for the number.

 I have a 78 550 fork here, it has the number on the lock.. they may have ommitted for security reasons?

Are you talking about sliding away the plastic cover that goes over the keyhole, or actually removing something from the bike? The metal around the keyslot on the steering lock was smooth, no markings.

[754]

After I pulled the plastic cover I could see the numbers, not sure you can with cover on?

 wet finger and rub across lockface, the #s are hard to see sometimes..

[goon 1492]

I first took all the pins out of the inside of the Ignition for a flat blade screwdriver, then found hondakeys.com.... 10$ a piece later got three of them, two for backup.
 Sounds like I would do one of the two:

Key the seat lock so you will have it and the steering lock, then buy a JCwhitney set for the Ignition.

Or go with making a key like superpastywhiteguy, but if your not very mechanically inclined I would just go with option one...

[Laminar]

I first took all the pins out of the inside of the Ignition for a flat blade screwdriver, then found hondakeys.com.... 10$ a piece later got three of them, two for backup.
 Sounds like I would do one of the two:

Key the seat lock so you will have it and the steering lock, then buy a JCwhitney set for the Ignition.

Or go with making a key like superpastywhiteguy, but if your not very mechanically inclined I would just go with option one...

Option two will be my first try, but I'll make a key for the seat lock, since I'd bet the seat and gas tank lock used the same key, even if the ignition doesn't. If the ignition key turns out to be different, then I'll probably just get a new ignition cylinder, unless I had so much fun making my first key that I'd do it again.

[Gordon]

Option two will be my first try, but I'll make a key for the seat lock, since I'd bet the seat and gas tank lock used the same key, even if the ignition doesn't.

The gas tank doesn't need a key, just something that fits in the slot to be able to turn it.  It's not actually a lock, just a non-keyed latch.  You can use any key or screwdriver that will fit. 

[A Grove]

One thing I have to say, on my '77 cb550 tank, (which i do believe is orig.), the key to unlock the gas cap was seperate than that of the ignition/seat... definitally orig. seatlock/ignition though.  But I have used my pocketknife in a pinch to open the gas cap.

EDIT:: oops, beat me to it, gordon

[gregk]

I just went into the shop and located a seat lock from a 400F and an ignition from a 750. 
the code numbers are on both pieces. 

Greg

[gregk]

Picture of the ignition code

[gregk]

Sorry, fingers work faster than my brain

[Gordon]

I think that the key code is on the underside of the ignition and the seat lock.  otherwise anyone could look at the bike and get the key code and go to the lock smith and get a key cut.

Greg

I think it depends on the model year.  My two '76 Hondas have the number stamped on the face of the ignition, the '71 does not. 

[Laminar]

I just went into the shop and located a seat lock from a 400F and an ignition from a 750. 
the code numbers are on both pieces. 

Greg

This is really good, thanks.

[Alan F.]

Thanks for all of the info and suggestions. I picked up another bike at the same time (Nighthawk 550) from the same guy, so I have plenty to work on for now.

Oh, you're gonna enjoy that one from everything everyone's ever told me, I'll be looking to turn one back into a cbx550 for my next project.  I guess someone who actually RIDES was working at Honda USA in 1983....it was a good year for cool bikes.

[Laminar]

I just went into the shop and located a seat lock from a 400F and an ignition from a 750. 
the code numbers are on both pieces. 

Greg

The good news:
- I found my code by removing the seat latch completely - thanks a ton! I went to the local hardware store, but they didn't have an appropriately-sized blank, so I'm going to look into hondakeys.com since I have my code now. Right now I just have the ignition switch jumpered so I don't need a key, but if the new key I get doesn't fit, I can get a new ignition switch and keys for ~$10 at Autozone.

- The tank looks to have been sealed so the inside is spotless, and the petcock looked very clean as well.

- I got it cleaned up a bit - I must have vacuumed off at least 15 little spider nests under the seat, in the tank, and in the air filter

The bad news:
- A compression test on cylinder 1 read 60psi, after a tablespoon of oil it was 180psi. Cylinder 4 read 80psi, and I didn't bother adding oil to that one. I couldn't test 2 or 3 because my 18mm deep well socket can't fit in that little crevice (How do you get those plugs out anyway?)

From what I understand, bad compression but good compression with some oil means bad rings, which means rebuild, right? Maybe I'll toss in a CB650 cam while I'm in there, or I'll just clean the bike up really well and sell it as-is for a tidy profit, I guess we'll see how badly I still want a nice Cafe bike once I get my Nighthawk up and going.

[Gordon]

I couldn't test 2 or 3 because my 18mm deep well socket can't fit in that little crevice (How do you get those plugs out anyway?)

From what I understand, bad compression but good compression with some oil means bad rings, which means rebuild, right? Maybe I'll toss in a CB650 cam while I'm in there, or I'll just clean the bike up really well and sell it as-is for a tidy profit,

Get yourself a thin-walled 18mm socket, or use the type of spark plug wrench that comes with the Honda tool kits.  If you don't have one, most bike shops sell similar ones.  It's basically a metal pipe with one end shaped like the spark plug nut.

Don't fear the top end rebuild.  It's really not that difficult, especially on the smaller fours, because you don't even have to pull the engine to do it if you don't want to, although it tends to be easier if you do. 

[Alan F.]

For my 73 750K I just picked up the wrench from the toolkit at a dealer, service honda shows 2 part numbers: 89216-323-000 or 89216-300-000 I remember it being $7 or so.

[gregk]

Laminar

i think that a Honda car blank would work.  Better to go to a proper locksmith and check.  I have had keys cut at the locksmith using the Honda code.  But, it wasn't cheap! 

Good luck and hopefully the seat and ignition use the same key.

greg

[Laminar]

Get yourself a thin-walled 18mm socket, or use the type of spark plug wrench that comes with the Honda tool kits.  If you don't have one, most bike shops sell similar ones.  It's basically a metal pipe with one end shaped like the spark plug nut.

Don't fear the top end rebuild.  It's really not that difficult, especially on the smaller fours, because you don't even have to pull the engine to do it if you don't want to, although it tends to be easier if you do. 

Gah - I was excited to find the Honda toolkit, pulled it out and took pictures of the tools, but didn't even think to use its plug wrench. I put some gas in the tank and cranked for a little while just to see if it would fire at all, but it looks like the carbs are completely clogged. No biggie, I can handle that. For some reason I'd rather do that than fiddle with the electrical gremlins plauging my Nighthawk.

[Humble Pie]

I just went into the shop and located a seat lock from a 400F and an ignition from a 750. 
the code numbers are on both pieces. 

Greg

MY 1974 550 lock seems to be wanting a key it has tumblers and does not seem to want to turn

[Vinhead1957]

Get the numbers off the lock and get a key on eBay.

[Humble Pie]

got it,,put some oil in the lock