Seat latch stuck this morning

Today, a particularly cold morning for Atlanta (20 degrees!) I arrived at the office after my 1 hour commute, only to be unable to open my seat (containing my attache case with key card and lunch inside). I turned the key in the lock several times but the seat would not open. I thought perhaps the cable or the plastic lever attached to the lock had broken.

I returned 2 hours later after the sun came up and tried again, and the seat popped open without issue. I wonder if the cause was hardened grease or perhaps some ice forming in the latch somehow. I definitely need to adjust the seat latch, which I will need to investigate how to do.

Jesse in Atlanta

Jesse,
There are two catches for the seat. One in the middle and one in the back.
Open the seat and look at where the catch is in the center of the seat (looking front to back). Note for yourself where that corresponds to on the top of the seat.

If this happens again, turn the key, and with the key turned, give a sharp
rap to that location on the top of the seat.

Dan

toolboxjesse wrote:

I wonder if the cause was hardened grease or perhaps some ice forming in the latch somehow. I definitely need to adjust the seat latch, which I will need to investigate how to do.

I would not adjust the seat latches ... unless the problem occurs very frequently (not just at a lower temperature).

dspevack wrote:

If this happens again, turn the key, and with the key turned, give a sharp rap to that location on the top of the seat.

I turn the key, then place my left hand palm down in the middle where my butt sits then apply increasing pressure till you hear the click ... it does not take much pressure.

None of those things worked for me at the time, but I appreciate your feedback.

Jesse

The same happen to me .The culprit is the grease..I removed it using break
part cleaner .I had to remove the side panel , disconnect cable and pull with pliers .Then I remove key lock to adjust the bracket to put more tension on
cable. Use WD40 instead of grease.

tinman wrote:

The same happen to me .The culprit is the grease..I removed it using break
part cleaner .I had to remove the side panel , disconnect cable and pull with pliers .Then I remove key lock to adjust the bracket to put more tension on
cable. Use WD40 instead of grease.

Can you explain this a bit more? How does the grease cause it to get stuck?
I couldn't close mine properly today after putting a full face helmet in there.
I ended up having to put the full face in the givi trunk box and then it closed no problem. I was under the understanding that the seat could hold two full face helmets. I have a shoei helmet so not sure if that is larger than standard size but it seemed to fit no problem but I couldn't get it to latch. The latch then did get stuck trying to reopen so it was a bit frustrating. Then the same thing happened with the left locked side panel. I had my phone and a neck warmer in there. I could turn the key to unlock it but the latch wouldn't open. After several tries it worked. Just wondering if this is common? Today was my first ride out on the bike.

The grease is to thick,and the latch is connected by the cable to the rear latch,from there it goes to the center latch.There is to much free play and the grease puts to much stress on the cable causing the latch not to open.I removed the grease using brake part cleaner .Then I removed the side panel
to put more tension on the cable by bending the bracket that holds the key lock in place. Use WD 40 on the two latch .

I don't think I would use WD40 because it tends to dry up/ wash away (and that smell isn't pretty). I think I would use some graphite lube or something with PTFE.

Jesse

As long that the grease is removed,the latch works better with a light lub or dry.