Replacement Ignition Key? '05 Sabre - Honda Shadow Forums : Shadow Motorcycle Forum

MotoPsycho · 03-30-2012, 10:35 AM

I've lost my one and only key. What's the best way to find one a replacement (or two)? I understand that the key code is under the tank lid - but that's not going to help me since I can't get the lid off without the key!
Could a dealer make me a key based on my VIN? Or, do I need to get a locksmith?

I don't know if this has been discussed before, but the search engine won't recognize a three letter word as a valid search item.

Xmigo · 03-30-2012, 11:06 AM

This reminds me to make a spare...
But thats not helpful. Try using the word 'keycode' in the search, and there are several threads on the subject.
Good luck!

'97 Spirit 1100

MotoPsycho · 03-30-2012, 11:25 AM

Thanks, I found a couple of good threads there. Looks like I have to defeat those silly break off bolts to take the ignition off. Then, take that to a locksmith or dealer to get a new key made. I know I had the key last week - just have no idea where it is now! I'm sure I'll find it the second I pay for a new one.

John Hopkins · 03-30-2012, 02:01 PM

Angle grinder on the helmet lock will take the top off the bolts of then you can slide the lock off, replace the bolts with allen bolts..the key number is on the back of the lock..This time buy a couple of spare keys..

John.

BigBird · 03-31-2012, 04:29 AM

also, if you know what dealership the bike came from originally, they sometimes put the key code on the original sales paperwork. the dealership here gave me mine when I asked for it.

ke5eua · 03-31-2012, 07:44 AM

This happened to me last month. There is a 6 digit key code on the ignition cylinder. Take that to a Honda dealer and they should be able to cut you a new key or they can give you another code to have a locksmith cut the key. Unfortunately my local Honda dealership where I was when I lost they key wanted to sell me all new lock sets instead of recut keys. I had to call street and trail in Evans, ga and they cut the keys and overnighted them to me.

Also I know for my 06 shadow I just took the cover off the ignition and was able to unbolt the ignition switch from the frame and the code was right on the side.

Sent from my Motorcycle iPad app

MotoPsycho · 04-08-2012, 10:48 PM

I finally bit the bullet. Figured I'll never find my key and went ahead and pulled the ignition. Just like you said, ke5eua, there's a 6 digit code right on the side of the cylinder.

So, that's no good to a locksmith, though? I'll call a honda dealer tomorrow and see if they can help me.

Thanks for the help, guys.

cwhite · 04-08-2012, 10:56 PM

I had a similar problem happen last year...except someone broke in my house and stole my key and TRIED to steal my bike...but failed...I had taken the seat off and sent it to be redone...anyway... I took my bike to a locksmith and they were somehow able to make a key for it. It cost me $95. I think they use some sort of molded key...kinda like a key made of clay!
Never had a problem with it again!

Sent from my Motorola Electrify using Motorcycle.com App

Earthling789 · 04-08-2012, 11:59 PM

Any good locksmith should be able to look up that code and cut a key to match, just like the Honda dealer can. The codes relate to a specific template, which today, any computer-controlled cutter can spit out a factory duplicate key in about 30-seconds if you have the code and corresponding digital template.

Dealers without a computer-controlled cutter may stock a blank in each possible cut. Depending on cut complexity (number of tumblers and depth variations) small ignition keys, like ours, normally have between 100 and 700 combinations, while larger keys with laser cuts or exotic cuts can provide billions of different cut combinations.

Stocking a template key for each cut combination is rather old-school, but still an cheaper option for most dealers. And, lets face it... our keys are rather small and simple, so I'd say there are probably only a hundred or so possible cut combinations anyway.

If you didn't have the cylinder code, a good locksmith could take the cylinder apart and use a piece of plastic, filed by hand (or clay mold adjusted to match tumbler depths) to manually duplicate the key by watching the tumblers and matching the break-points. Truly and art-form!!

cwhite · 04-09-2012, 12:04 AM

Ya....what he said!

Sent from my Motorola Electrify using Motorcycle.com App

03-30-2012, 10:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
MotoPsycho Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Greenville, WI Posts: 160	Replacement Ignition Key? '05 Sabre I've lost my one and only key. What's the best way to find one a replacement (or two)? I understand that the key code is under the tank lid - but that's not going to help me since I can't get the lid off without the key! Could a dealer make me a key based on my VIN? Or, do I need to get a locksmith? I don't know if this has been discussed before, but the search engine won't recognize a three letter word as a valid search item.

03-30-2012, 02:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
John Hopkins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tredegar,South Wales, near England, not far from Scotland. Posts: 3,416	Angle grinder on the helmet lock will take the top off the bolts of then you can slide the lock off, replace the bolts with allen bolts..the key number is on the back of the lock..This time buy a couple of spare keys.. John. __________________ Beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes right to the bone. Last edited by John Hopkins; 03-31-2012 at 10:09 AM.

03-31-2012, 07:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
ke5eua Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 72	This happened to me last month. There is a 6 digit key code on the ignition cylinder. Take that to a Honda dealer and they should be able to cut you a new key or they can give you another code to have a locksmith cut the key. Unfortunately my local Honda dealership where I was when I lost they key wanted to sell me all new lock sets instead of recut keys. I had to call street and trail in Evans, ga and they cut the keys and overnighted them to me. Also I know for my 06 shadow I just took the cover off the ignition and was able to unbolt the ignition switch from the frame and the code was right on the side. Sent from my Motorcycle iPad app __________________ Last edited by ke5eua; 03-31-2012 at 07:48 AM.

04-08-2012, 10:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
cwhite Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 113	I had a similar problem happen last year...except someone broke in my house and stole my key and TRIED to steal my bike...but failed...I had taken the seat off and sent it to be redone...anyway... I took my bike to a locksmith and they were somehow able to make a key for it. It cost me $95. I think they use some sort of molded key...kinda like a key made of clay! Never had a problem with it again! Sent from my Motorola Electrify using Motorcycle.com App __________________ http://

04-08-2012, 11:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Earthling789 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Irvine, Kentucky Posts: 983	Any good locksmith should be able to look up that code and cut a key to match, just like the Honda dealer can. The codes relate to a specific template, which today, any computer-controlled cutter can spit out a factory duplicate key in about 30-seconds if you have the code and corresponding digital template. Dealers without a computer-controlled cutter may stock a blank in each possible cut. Depending on cut complexity (number of tumblers and depth variations) small ignition keys, like ours, normally have between 100 and 700 combinations, while larger keys with laser cuts or exotic cuts can provide billions of different cut combinations. Stocking a template key for each cut combination is rather old-school, but still an cheaper option for most dealers. And, lets face it... our keys are rather small and simple, so I'd say there are probably only a hundred or so possible cut combinations anyway. If you didn't have the cylinder code, a good locksmith could take the cylinder apart and use a piece of plastic, filed by hand (or clay mold adjusted to match tumbler depths) to manually duplicate the key by watching the tumblers and matching the break-points. Truly and art-form!! __________________ Current - 2002 VT1100C2 Sabre 1985 VT700C Shadow 1999 CB750 NightHawk (son's ride) "The Hardest Part About a Zombie Apocalypse, Will Be Pretending I'm Not Excited"

03-30-2012, 11:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Xmigo Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Central New York (state) Posts: 50	This reminds me to make a spare... But thats not helpful. Try using the word 'keycode' in the search, and there are several threads on the subject. Good luck! '97 Spirit 1100

03-30-2012, 11:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
MotoPsycho Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Greenville, WI Posts: 160	Thanks, I found a couple of good threads there. Looks like I have to defeat those silly break off bolts to take the ignition off. Then, take that to a locksmith or dealer to get a new key made. I know I had the key last week - just have no idea where it is now! I'm sure I'll find it the second I pay for a new one.

03-31-2012, 04:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
BigBird Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 17	also, if you know what dealership the bike came from originally, they sometimes put the key code on the original sales paperwork. the dealership here gave me mine when I asked for it.

04-08-2012, 10:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
MotoPsycho Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Greenville, WI Posts: 160	I finally bit the bullet. Figured I'll never find my key and went ahead and pulled the ignition. Just like you said, ke5eua, there's a 6 digit code right on the side of the cylinder. So, that's no good to a locksmith, though? I'll call a honda dealer tomorrow and see if they can help me. Thanks for the help, guys.

04-09-2012, 12:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
cwhite Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 113	Ya....what he said! Sent from my Motorola Electrify using Motorcycle.com App __________________ http://

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