ST1300 key knob farkle for bag locks

STBernard

STBernard

BlewBayou
Joined
Aug 10, 2009
Messages
113
Location
Bellevue, WA
Bike
2004 ST1300A
So I cut down 2 spare keys, bought some knobs at radio shack and some expoxy and spend some time putting everything together. The knobs were $1 each and had a brass insert. The drill press was used to snag and remove the inserts. I cut the keys at about a 20 degree angle because of the tilt of the lock. This way the knobs look level and when you turn them a quarter turn, they do not bind anywhere. Somewhere I saw instructions, but I could not find them so I winged it. The epoxy set up quick enough but JB Weld would have been better. The knobs have a white indicator mark that I mounted pointing inboard. The look funny out of the bike with the key tilted 20 degrees, but when in the locks, they look perfect, almost factory.

If you buy these 1.5 inch knobs at Radio Shack, you may need to make the key narrower slightly on the wide side. This allows the 20 degree tilt offset.
All the parts, including the keys cost $15. Worth twice the price not to have to constantly pull the ignition key to stash or retrieve something.

I used a Dremel tool and abrasive cutting disk to cut the keys, a bench grinder for the clean up of the key, and the drill press to remove the insert. Less than an hour of labor. Great addition to a wonderful bike.
:04biker:
 
Wow, Kayaddict, I did the same thing using the same methods/tools/knobs about a month ago. For the most part I though I was reading an account of my work, I even got those little brass inserts out the same way you did! The only difference is I didn't think about the 20 degree slant, though my keys seem to look factory when in the locks...good idea though.

I did use JB Weld and it did make for a fast and easy job. The added convience these add are priceless!

No pics here either, although the old post with pics showing this mod are pretty much what I did.
 
Been using this set up since 04. My favorite perk is using the key-knob from the left pocket lock to open the fuel cap. Quick, convenient & much less wear or chance of breakage of the ignition key..:yes:
 
AzDesertRider said:
Been using this set up since 04. My favorite perk is using the key-knob from the left pocket lock to open the fuel cap. Quick, convenient & much less wear or chance of breakage of the ignition key..:yes:
Click to expand...

Duh ! Why didn't I think of that ??? I will use that knob key in the future. This forum is incredible! Not only do we learn how to make these mods, but then we learn new ways to use them!
 
I just did this farkle and took pics of the whole process although I used different knobs. I'll post them up in a separate thread.
 
Just got a short key made-it works fine in the bags and gas cap, but not in the left fairing pocket. What could make that happen?
 
My guess is the key is just a little too short for the left fairing pocket...or the knob is a little too wide (that lock is a little recessed while the saddlebags are on the surface) ...or maybe there's a slight problem with the key cut (left pocket lock not as worn and more selective of the exact cut of the key???)...just guesses.
 
Great idea!!

I want to make something for the gas cap too.

Im having problems getting duplicate keys made. Tried the reccomended Ilco key that the locksmith had. The key works in the bags and gas cap but only one way...flip the key the other way and no good. Dont work at all in the ign. It will go in nice and smooth but not turn. This is the second type of blank Ive had cut from this locksmith. First was from a guy from CA I found on here.
Im heading back over there on my lunch hour for him to take a look at....They must have missed something. 3rd time having to drive across town to this guy to get a few spare keys cut!

Sorry...had to vent a little

Bill
 
doxbike said:
Just got a short key made-it works fine in the bags and gas cap, but not in the left fairing pocket. What could make that happen?
Click to expand...

I also had a couple of short keys made. I think they were Kawasaki keys, mine work in all locks but wont start the bike. I am going to put it on one of those key minder string thingies and pin it to my jacket.
 
I like this idea, looks great, especially while traveling and you need to get things out of the side cases frequently. Think I'll get a couple extra keys cut and give it a try.


I get the keys from the Honda dealer and have a local lock smith cut them. I took the bike to him and we tried the keys till he got them right. Took a couple of cuts to get them to work in all the locks though..

They are not your standard keys that can be cut at walmart. (Don't ask me how I know) ...
 
I just did my key farkle this past weekend. Ended up getting knobs from Radio Shack, keys copied and JB Weld from Ace Hardware.
I use the key fab that locks the left side faring compartment to unlock the gas cap, this way I don't need to remove the key from the ignition :D
 
I've tried a few locksmiths locally and unless i want to order/pay for 'honda' keys i'm outa luck , i even showed Mr Minute key cutter guy the photo's of the flat silver keys cut and modified and he went on with a 5 minuts tyrad of how the states has different keys to us here in Oz. I did mention to this 'knob' that the bikes all came from Japan and so the keys shouldn't be any different especially being from the same type of bike :ie ST1300 . So my search continues..............
 
ORSM said:
I've tried a few locksmiths locally and unless i want to order/pay for 'honda' keys i'm outa luck , i even showed Mr Minute key cutter guy the photo's of the flat silver keys cut and modified and he went on with a 5 minuts tyrad of how the states has different keys to us here in Oz. I did mention to this 'knob' that the bikes all came from Japan and so the keys shouldn't be any different especially being from the same type of bike :ie ST1300 . So my search continues..............
Click to expand...

Try your Oz version of a national hardware store that has a good keymaking setup. The short key blank needed is made in Taiwan and is for a Nissan (Datsun) car ignition -- DA23. The USA UPC code is 0 29069 70554 1 (maybe the leading 0 and the trailing 1 are not needed.) If you get lucky, use the original Honda ignition key with the metal number tag (you did save that in a safe place and never used it, right?) for your pattern key.

I used Radio Shack knobs, P/N 274-416, UPC 0 40293 13200 2 with the brass insert and setscrew. I did not remove the brass insert, but ground down the keyblank to fit in the 1/4 inch dia. insert. I then cut a little piece of 1/4" wooden dowel and sliced off the sides to fill in beside the key. Tighten the setscrew in the brass insert and you are done. You can add glue to secure the job further. I like this particular Radio Shack knob because the recess under the knob conforms to the raised keyhole on the panniers, offering better protection from grit getting in the keyhole.

The blank can be ground/filed/lathe-turned so that it is a close fit in the insert bore -- evenly on both sides of the blank. The key should then be cut down so that it extends exactly 1.00 inch beyond the outer rim of the knob when fully inserted into the bore of the brass insert.

KnobFarkle1.jpg KnobFarkle2.jpg

This works properly on the panniers, gas cap and glovebox.
 
Thanx for your help Tom , would be great to have someone 'helpful' in the locksmiths I've been to.....the service side of things seems to be a thing of the past.......Cheers Brian
 
capo1000 said:
Great idea!!

I want to make something for the gas cap too.

Im having problems getting duplicate keys made. Tried the reccomended Ilco key that the locksmith had. The key works in the bags and gas cap but only one way...flip the key the other way and no good. Dont work at all in the ign. It will go in nice and smooth but not turn. This is the second type of blank Ive had cut from this locksmith. First was from a guy from CA I found on here.
Im heading back over there on my lunch hour for him to take a look at....They must have missed something. 3rd time having to drive across town to this guy to get a few spare keys cut!

Sorry...had to vent a little

Bill
Click to expand...

I've had similar issues. I made a return trip (this time with my bike) to the Ace hardware guy. He could not get his machine to cut a key that worked consistently in all locks. I think these machines get worn out and sloppy. In fact when I compare the details of his key with my original (in spite of having been through his machine numerous times) I can see very clear differences in the cuts. No wonder it doesn't work on all the locks.


Wonder if a true locksmith could do a better job? Problem with these guys is they always seem to be out on calls and never in their shops.
 
Often times, when I get a key cut at the hardware store, as opposed to my extremely competent locksmith, I get my small files out and fix the keys myself. If the original cut is too deep you're out of luck, but it's real easy to fine tune a key with files.

This was my first farkle 3 years ago. Duh... But I never thought of using the left pocket key to open my gas cap though!
 
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