Have you done a case rekey on a Roadster?

[xprof]

I bought some System II cases on e-bay, figuring I could have them rekeyed quite easily. Not so! My mom+pop small-volume BMW shop fiddled with them for 2 hours and told me they couldn't get the lock cylinders to come out. I next called the high-class high-volume BMW shop up the road, and they told me that R and RT cases were so damn near impossible to rekey that they would rather not have the business. They offered to try, but warned me it might be 5 hours of shop time, and with no guarantee. A specialty beemer shop 5 hours away declined, saying that they had never done it. My local locksmith also turned me down. I used "search" on the forum, but found that the rekey instructions were either for oilheads, K-bikes, System I or were off-line. So: Have any of you personally rekeyed the side cases on your R? Have you instructions or advice for me?

[Dauntless]

I did it on my cases but the previous owner had already removed the cylinders. I believe the cylinders can only be removed with the key. I found the instructions online so I will try to find where they are posted.

[mistral]

I have done the 28 liter trunk. I was told some crazy things by shops. Just like you cannot do it or 5 hours labor. I can get the trunk cylinder out in 30 seconds or less. The cases might be a little different. You might have a problem though because the cylinder has to be in a certain position locked or unlocked, I would have to look that up. If you are not in the right position you will most likely have to drill them out.

The wafers inside are small with tiny springs. I would start with a small bit and go up to maybe a quarter inch and see if you can get the wafers out. Only one holds it in. Just don't go to big or to deep.

On the trunk you remove a little plug at the top above the cylinder. Get one of those led flexible lights. Get a small screwdriver and attach a piece of wire like a paper clip. You will have to bend it some. You will see a small slot by the side of the cylinder. Snake the wire in and you will push in the wafer and the cylinder will pull out. The cases should be a similiar process.

Look at the BMWST site there is a thread on there with some instructions. I was the asking the question on that one. Hope this helps some.

Ron

[hjsbmw]

I have not done the side cases, but have done the top case. Yes, it was a PITA until I got the lock out, but as always, it's a first time learning curve.
I also needed to talk to several dealers until I found one that sold me the rekey kit. Several insisted this is a dealer-only job due to liability/safety/theft prevention.

You need the key to get the lock out. The principle of getting the locks out if you have the key (for a top case) is listed here:
http://www.ebbo.org/re_keying.php

Since the side cases have the same twisty cap thing I believe the principle is the same there. However, here is a pictorial that takes the cases apart, but you still need the key:
http://www.bmwbmw.org/forums/viewtopic. ... ilit=rekey

There was someone on here who drilled out a lock successfully. If that's what you end up doing make sure to get the new lock first and take exact measurements to see how deep and wide you can/have to drill.

[xprof]

Thank you Paul, Ron and Harald. Following your instructions I had the cylinders out in 15 minutes. What the Hell is it with dealers, anyway?!

[angellr]

Thank you Paul, Ron and Harald. Following your instructions I had the cylinders out in 15 minutes. What the Hell is it with dealers, anyway?!

Mike,

Probably a very high PITA factor. Sounds like you saved yourself 5 x $80/hr labor = $400. When does the party start, you have enough for several rounds of cold stuff.

[BigEasy]

I bought a set of cases off a guy on this site back in '07 when I bought my bike. He'd already traded the bike and they came without the keys. I contacted the dealer he traded the bike with and they would not set me up with a key (guy was a real snot). My then dealer (no longer in business) set me up with a new key after I got the bikes VIN from the PO.

They sat on a shelf until last fall when I finally had time to take a trip with the R. Prior to the trip I took the cases to my now dealer to do the rekey. I also found some instructions on line but didn't have time to mess with the process. The service manager told me 1-1.5 hours labor max, and I thought that was a decent deal. When I showed up to collect them he told me no charge. Evidently there is one of those unknown "service campaigns" for the early cases where the cylinders do not "operate smoothly". My service ticket read "owner reports locks do not operate smoothly" and they didn't charge me for it, much to my suprise.

[xprof]

The end of this story: Having (with all your help) fished out the lock cylinders, I took them in to my dealers. They easily re-keyed them in a short time for only $20 for the two! I slid 'em back in, and now my cases are properly keyed and I'm ready for road trips again. Thanks to all!