hi guys, its been discussed before about the yam ignition barrel causing a few problems for some riders (not turning freely etc). ive always had some niggling little probs with mine but it seems to be getting worse.
at the moment i can barely get the ignition to lock (sometimes up to fifteen minutes of playin around with it, jiggling it this way and that way). any suggestions on a clean out and 're-lube' if thats possible?
ive put a squirt of wd-40 down it a few times after a clean/wash down (i know wd is a degreaser as well as a water repellant) and all it seems to do is stiffen up more and when i pull the key out its covered with a greyish type of slime that just keeps appearing each time i insert and remove the key.
any suggestions are appreciated. its getting to be a bit of a drag.
thanx

The grey powder will be a combination of metal powder from years of wear of tumblers and keys inside the lock, plus graphite powder which is the preferred lock lubricant. Avoid WD40 as it eventually makes everything sticky and attracts crud build up. Always use a dry lube.

If it is worn out there's not a lot you can do apart from replace the barrel. However, I would have a go at cleaning it first.

Difficult to do with removing the barrel, but it can done by flushing with brake cleaner or electrical contact cleaner, then allowing to dry and puffing in graphite powder. You can buy the powder from a lock smith and sometimes on eBay.

Also try turning the key with some sideways pressure, which sometimes helps. Have you tried a different key? Sometimes it can be the key at fault. Also lube the pin the goes into the yokes to lock the steering.

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hi pleiades thanx for the qik reply.
its a 2011 with 40k on it so im hoping just a crud buildup.have tried both keys and one no better than the other.
a good flush thru and some graphite powder 'lube' looks like an appropriate approach and the yoke pin sounds right on the money. ill post results when i get it squared away.
thanx mate.

Hey pleaides good call. a bucketload of contact cleaner, compressed air and then a shot of graphite dry lube when its all dried out worked a treat. yoke lock pin could do with a bit of a hit (bike will only lock in left hand down position) but the keys turning like new (which means it only gets a little tricky 10 % of the time).
Thanx mate

Glad you've got it sorted mate.

It's surprising how many people use WD as a lube or for a quick fix in lock barrels, unaware that a sticky dirt-attracting mess is building up with every squirt - until it's too late and the lock grinds to a untimely halt.

Moral: Always use a dry lube in locks and you'll get years of smooth and trouble free service out of them.

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