Rekey system cases

[dwayne]

I rekeyed the system cases for the ign. key using the following tutorial ( http://www.pbase.com/rodneff/keying_bmw_locks), but now the original key still opens them including hte ign. key. I didn't add any wafers, just rearranged them to allow the new key to work. Any ideas what has happened> There are only three types of wafers so not sure what I did wrong.


Just a thought and I didn't really look, but is there a front and a back to the tumblers???? For instance is there something different about the two faces, other then having a # 1 # 2 #3 on them?

Also some of the tumblers with the ign key inserted are not flush but rather recessed.

[Beemeridian]

845

[dwayne]

Congratulations on getting your new purchase home safely. Did everything work out the way you had hoped?
You don't say whether you bought the rekey kit from BMW but I believe that you need one to do this properly. It's around $18, I think.

Dave

Hi Dave, I actually got the cases from a gentleman that lives about 30 minutes from me. So it worked out very well. I will call my dealer and find out about the cost (CDN) on the re-key kit. Thanks for that.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I rekeyed the system cases for the ign. key using the following tutorial ( http://www.pbase.com/rodneff/keying_bmw_locks), but now the original key still opens them including hte ign. key. I didn't add any wafers, just rearranged them to allow the new key to work. Any ideas what has happened>

[/quote]


I had the same experience when I re-keyed mine. I told a know-it-all neighbor about this and he said that is because the original key is a master key and the ignition key functions as a secondary (slave) key. I then tried a friend's system case key and his ignition key (from an RS) and they did not work. So, maybe my know-it-all neighbor in right.
Anyway, I hope that if I am wrong about this that there is a honor among BMW riders that theft would not be a problem, or if there is no honor (doubtful) there are so few of us that the issue would not arise often.


John

[Beemeridian]

8

[paroyboy]

I re-keyed my cases and the old key no longer works. Must just be a fluke. As for the tabs, shouldnt matter if theyre recessed. Its the sticking out tabs that prevent the barrel from turning.

[CycleRob]

dwayne,
The plates only go in one way, because the tab that pushes on the spring forces you to put it in correctly.

If both keys work, you must have left some plates out -or- you mixed up your keys and are using 2 ignition keys.

There was another tutorial on the net that, to save money, has you grind off the protrusions with the new key in place. That method is so-o-o-o very WRONG!! You loose all security to block other riders BMW keys if you use that method.

[dwayne]

dwayne,
The plates only go in one way, because the tab that pushes on the spring forces you to put it in correctly.

If both keys work, you must have left some plates out -or- you mixed up your keys and are using 2 ignition keys.

There was another tutorial on the net that, to save money, has you grind off the protrusions with the new key in place. That method is so-o-o-o very WRONG!! You loose all security to block other riders BMW keys if you use that method.

Thanks Cyclerob. I realized that yes, they only go in one way. You are correct in your assumption; I left one of the plates out as I think I needed another #2 or a #1. Ya, I saw the thing about filing them down, not something I want to mess with. I don't keep anything valuable in the system cases but clothes and rain gear. If someone wants my laundry, they can take it. Just clean it first.

[CycleRob]

FYI - - - Here's another really good re-keying tutorial.

[riceburner]

Anyone in the UK done this???


Where's the best place to get the re-keying kit from??? I need to do 3 locks (2 panniers, 1 soft-case rack) - I suppose I'll need 3 kits??

[dwayne]

Anyone in the UK done this???


Where's the best place to get the re-keying kit from??? I need to do 3 locks (2 panniers, 1 soft-case rack) - I suppose I'll need 3 kits??

No no, I would say you probably really only need one. Remember there are only 3 different tumblers for the locks right? So, chances are between the three locks you have and one rekey kit, you'll have all the different tumblers you could need. Now, it probably would not hurt to buy two kits, and return one if you don't use anything from it...so you're not stuck in the middle of the job in case I am wrong. Just make sure your dealer will let you return unused parts.

Dwayne

[Beemeridian]

86

[dwayne]

I'm certainly no expert but having now done my own I would make a suggestion before you buy a kit;
follow the turtorial and do one lock, see how many wafers you get to fit your key (pull them all out and try them one at a time, trial and error [there are only 3 different size wafers], and if you only get 3, then I would buy 1 rekey kit, which will have enough wafers to give you at least 4 per lock.
Remember, when you are testing the wafers that they have to fit perfectly flush with the cylinder body.


Dave

What he said

[paroyboy]

I was only short a #1 in each cylinder. I just pulled the sixth one out. Works fine with just 5 wafers.

[Beemeridian]

576

[paroyboy]

Yeah, I saved the extra tabs and springs in case I trade the bike and sell the cases separately. That way I can "re" re-key them!

[Dr. Strangelove]

Yo, CycleRob

>>There was another tutorial on the net that, to save money, has you grind off the protrusions with the new key in place. That method is so-o-o-o very WRONG!! You loose all security to block other riders BMW keys if you use that method.<<

Thanks for the link--I definitely stand corrected (except for my naivete about honor among BMW riders) about the re-keying process. I used the bad link to which you refer. It is also good to re-affirm that my know-it-all neighbor still maintains his a**hole status. His argument just didn't seem right.

I've heard that the tumblers can be purchased from a BMW auto dealer??? do regular locksmiths carry them also?

John

[riceburner]

Cheers guys - will see how much the kits are in the UK then.

[manlio]

SO, I just lost the only key to my system cases. it flew out of my unzipped pocket on the highway. It's a different key than the ignition one, since I got the cases second hand, always meant to re-key them so that the ignition key would work, but didn't get around to it....
The cases are now mounted on my Rockster, full of staff (including cell phone) and:
- A locksmith asked for $ 130 (!) to fashion by hand a key that would open the cases (wouldn't charge me if it doesn't work)
- BMW says they would have to get the bike in and work on it for a couple hours minimum to drill away the current locks and install new ones at several hundred $
Any suggestions to what I should do?
Can I just drill the locks away? Do I risk to break anything or should I be fine if I just drill straight down? Would I be able to then open the cases and install new locks?

thank you, manlio

[johnnyjs1]

I took mine to a locksmith, the cases were locked, and they picked the lock, opened them and re-keyed them for $30. Only took about 20 min for both of em. You are getting robbed!!!