Lost key

[mjohnson]

So I lost the key to my vstar 650. I've been looking around and seems the best option for me is a lock smith. I've had 2 shops tell me different things though. I was able to get the helmet lock off, and one shop told me to bring it in and they would make a key. The other shop told me that a key made off the helmet lock wouldn't have as many cuts, and wouldn't work for the ignition. does anyone know which if i will be able to get a working key off the helmet lock?

[KMWilliams]

I believe shop #2 is correct.

Do you happen to have the key code someplace? It would have been attached to the two orginal keys when new. With the code, a dealer should be able to cut a new key.

[Dennis in NH]

Yes, the code.

For every new bike or car, please save the keycodes (and radio codes) in some place so you can have them handy.

Dennis

[salerno2209]

if you cant find the key code then your going to need a hole new one

[thedenverlocksmith]

Helmet lock or gas cap will have 5 out of 7 cuts, they would need access to the ignition lock to get the last two. Uses the X248 ILCO keyblank aka YM63. Generally, Yamaha's don't have codes. This is a 20-30 minute job for a good locky. I would charge $75 for onsite replacement, $5 for each additional copy. Good luck.

[thedenverlocksmith]

Actually, its not that Yamaha's don't have lock codes, its just they aren't often imprinted on any locks....FYI

[rexmitchell]

Helmet lock or gas cap will have 5 out of 7 cuts, they would need access to the ignition lock to get the last two. Uses the X248 ILCO keyblank aka YM63. Generally, Yamaha's don't have codes. This is a 20-30 minute job for a good locky. I would charge $75 for onsite replacement, $5 for each additional copy. Good luck.

Good info, why do they not have the other cuts just out of curiosity?

[thedenverlocksmith]

Well, most MC's used 5 cuts in the key back in the 1970s and 1980's, theft was less of a problem then. Bikes got nicer and more expensive, and soon the 5 cut key wasn't enough security. But gas caps in particular, can't accept a longer key (or the cap is too deep and won't open or close because its too long). So the answer is just use cuts 3-7 (5 cuts total) for the gas cap, the key stops when the tip hits the back of the lock. Sometimes you can even see cuts one or one and two sticking out while you open your gas cap. Once a locky gets 3-7 by taking the gas cap lock or helmet lock apart, special software will narrow the key down to a few possibilities for the final 2 cuts and then we "progress" the cuts.

Also, helmet locks would stick out quite a bit on a 7 cut or 8 cut key if all cuts were used.

[thedenverlocksmith]

I also suspect the manufacturers figured:

1. They already had 5 cut helmet, gas cap and seat locks manufactured, so only the ignition would need to be redesigned to accept 7 or 8 cuts.

2. They may have also considered lost keys. By giving locksmiths (who would need to pick the lock first, to take it apart and make a key) an easier to pick 5 cut lock, it makes key origination much easier, but still requiring some locksmithing skill.