Key knob

Tired of using the ignition key to gain access to the side pocket, under seat storage and fuel cap?

Take a ride to your local ACE hardware and purchase a spare key, JB Weld and a replacement plastic knob from the nut and bolt section.

Insert the key in to the side pocket lock and scribe a line on the key flush with the lock face.

Cut the key past the scribe line to the depth of the knob.

Heat the key with a torch and let it melt into the center of the plastic knob about 1/16 of an inch from the scribe line.

Let the plastic cool and fill the void in the knob with JB Weld.

The key with the knob will not go deep enough in to the ignition to start or unlock the forks.

Yea, some yahoo could break off the knob and jam the key in to your ignition and start your scoot with another key or screwdriver but who will know that the knob under the left pocket is a disguised key.



Ron

I'd be paranoid about leaving a Swing unattended with an unusual knob begging to be turned by some fool.
I commend you for your ingenuity.

I've updated the dash on our 2005's so the need on the dash is not there for me. But, I like the idea of being able to leave the key in the seat release and fuel cap while we are on the bikes. I'm forever fumbling to get the keys out of my pocket.

The seat release is really a slip up on Honda's part. Why there is not a lockable remote release like Suzuki and Yamaha have incorporated is beyond me.

jdeereanton wrote:

Why there is not a lockable remote release like Suzuki and Yamaha have incorporated is beyond me.

The Suzuki seat release whilst I admit useful, can be costly to repair. (Read, replace the cable if done by a garage. - If you replace the cable your self then a manual and a lot of space to remove just about all the tupperware and finally allow half a day.)

There is however a cheats way of getting in. Well! Two really.

One is to connect a small cable to the seat latch and have it sitting out of sight under the seat. Simply pull on the cable to release the latch, (short cutting the Suzuki cable).

The second and emergency release is to remove a small panel at the back end, insert a long bladed screw driver and operate the latch by tweaking the screw driver.

I used method two which prompted me to install method one!!!

I actually prefer the Honda way, with the key.

Down to personal preferences really. In the UK I simply would not feel safe leaving a quasi key in any of the 'Wings' mechanisms.

Yes, I've read about and heard about the many troubles folks have had with the Burgman release. I guess I may be lamenting something that I may rue if I had it.

I would not want to leave the knob in place while I was not with the bike. I would just like to have them in place for use when I stop for fuel or to retrieve my camera and such. I wouldn't encourage anyone to leave a key in their bike and then leave the bike unattended.

I have pondered the idea of having a shortened blank key with some sort of disc or knob attached to cammo the ignition key slot and also to keep crap out of the slot. I reckon some of the angst shown here re the key not working could be attributed to crap finding its way in while the bike is unattended.

Cute trick but I found if I lower the seat gently I can sit on it without it latching.
Might look more like it's locked to roving eyes !