Lost the key again...

[coodell]

I finally got my bike back togethor, atleast enough to see if it runs and it turns out that I lost the key. Does anyone know what wires to cross on the ignition to hotwire it, I just want to see if it starts before i go any further.... thx gys

[Kawi_T]

Well, I have an answer, sorta. I had the same problem with an old KZ I have. Had no key. I took a nail file because it was thin enough to fit down in the key tumbler (if thats what you call it, you know what I'm talking about). I ground it down really thin and skinny/narrow with a little hook on the end. The tumbler itself is a seperate piece that locks down inside a barrel that is a seperate piece. Inside the slot where the key goes is a little release button somewhere that allows the tumbler to be pulled out of the barrel. I felt around in there for a while until I found the release button, pushed it in with the little hook, it released, then I used the hook to pull the whole tumbler out. With the tumbler out the bottom of the barrel just had a slot in it that could be turned with a screw driver, pocket knife, whatever. Now I'm not sure what bike you have and its probably not as basic as an old KZ (which is about as basic as it gets), but I believe that every ignition switch has a release and can be pulled out of the barrel if you can just figure out the right tool and manage to hit the release and pull it out.

[Sev]

I'm not sure exactly what bike you have, but if it's the one in your avatar I would venture a guess say either 03 or 04 zx6. Having made that guess I'm going to offer a warning.

The ECU on that is VERY sensitive to voltage changes. And the ignition itself acts as a resistor in the circuit. I'm not saying that it will happen, but it is possible that if you try to bypass it you could wreck your ECU. Or if you cross the wrong two wires by accident.

Take your serial number to your kawi dealer and they should be able to order you a new key. Or take the bike to a locksmith and he should be able to cut you a new key.

[zx11canada]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Maybe Coodell is a bike thief. And now he knows how to start them ! Oh well.

[Swoosh]

My suggestion is to take it to a qualified locksmith... they can hand cut a key for you by trial and error, and shaving down a blank in the right areas until it works properly.

Barring that... you should have a key code for your bike, and be able to contact kawi Canada and they can cut you a key from the code.

I would advise against cutting any wires, or jamming anything into the cylinder in an attempt to force it.

Having a locksmith cut you one manually will cost you around $50 (speaking from experience)... and a new key from Kawi may run you the same or slightly more.

Both would be cheaper than replacing all your locks, or frying your electrical system.

JMHO