Motorcycle work

[A1LocksmithGRMark]

So I work at a lock shop down in grand rapids, I'm talking to my boss about getting into doing motorcycle keys. I was wondering what all we would need to get into it, we currently have lishi readers for the major brands but is there anything else, specialized equipment and whatnot that we would need? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[TORCH [of KCK]]

Okay,
1st off & straight up...
I'm no authority on motorcycle locks.
But, from general knowledge & past times shopping for myself.

The undergoing taking this path should not be rushed into. Besides the use of different tubular locks in newer manufacturer's, a lot of people like vintage rides... Which means a good selection of single & double sided key blanks, & key cutters to cover all of them.

Can only suggest, besides keep checking back here, do the leg work. Go to each dealership, bike shop, & any bike show comes around. (Also, take note of mk & mod of each bike you see around & look up on the net...) This not only gives you the information you're looking for,  but also gives you the opportunity to build a repport & future business opportunities.

Let them know that you will inform them when you're fully equipped & start this endeavor. As well as, keeping in touch for their valued information.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

I have not done ANY automotive or motorcycle work since 2011 so take this as you will.

Compared to automotive work, motorcycle work is far easier to get into. There is far less overhead and it is far easier to originate and service keys. I have never heard of a motorcycle that utilized a transponder or chipped key; it's all mechanical as far as I know. As such, it's cheaper to stock blanks, originate keys (less locks, easier access, and most have codes stamped on them), and the tooling required isn't that bad. Does Lishi make tools for motorcycles? I don't know; I had great success sight reading Yamaha and Kawasaki and the like using a $60 scope from Lockmasters. From there, it was a matter of feeding the information into the code cutting equipment and generating a key.

Motorcycles can also very easily be transported to your shop so there's that. John Blankenship had a number of motorcycle reference guides published before he died. I bet you can find them on eBay, Amazon, or via other locksmiths if you search them. That's an incredible resource, even though they are becoming dated by the minute, for that line of work. His website (motorcyclekeys.com) is still up and has some great cross-reference info on it.

Hope this helps.

[AlwaysLearningDavid]

Motorcycles are pretty easy.

Just pick the gas tank, pull the wafers out and get most of the code, then cycle through the remaining possible combinations.

The only thing that sucks is that it takes some practice on the cap, you need to stock tons of keys, and you get a lot of "California wafers" from idiots.

"California wafers" are what we call crushed wafers from idiots that tried to force the lock with a screw driver.

Mainly because they look like California.

But when you get those you need to take apart the entire fork and most people don't like hearing what it costs.

[AlwaysLearningDavid]

Oh, and that said about crushed wafers, you may find the best business model is to just turn them away. It's seriously not worth the effort.

[billdeserthills]

I quit doing first key to motorcycles unless the ignition is placed in my hand--As mentioned the wafers in most motorcycles are very thin & easily bent. In the beginning I used to impression a key but it's not worth the hassle to me any longer. I have impressioned keys to bmw, mercedes & even datsun's in the past but no more motorbikes for me

[AlwaysLearningDavid]

Yeah, I've sunk at least 100 hours trying to get the hang of impressioning with no change in ability.

I've tried soot and marker, too. Just can't good marks or read them.

BTW, it's worth mentioning that you can eyeball most Chinese scooters and 90% take hon42 keys.

[billdeserthills]

Yeah, I've sunk at least 100 hours trying to get the hang of impressioning with no change in ability.

I've tried soot and marker, too. Just can't good marks or read them.

BTW, it's worth mentioning that you can eyeball most Chinese scooters and 90% take hon42 keys.

My Dad used to tell me those guys who sell locksmith supplies (distributors) are the locksmiths who couldn't 'get' impressioning. I have learned proper blank prep & good magnification along with a #4 cut file are what get me results-- Also I find pushing myself to impression harder & harder things is not beneficial to my ego & I need to believe in myself, otherwise it all goes in the trashcan

One thing I have found about using a marker on a key--you absolutely have to let the marker dry off before you put the key back in the lock. If I want good clear marks I make the key blade thinner than the wafer I'm trying to get a mark off of

[Wizer]

Many motorcycles have a chipped transponder key. JMA TRS and Silca RW4.Mbox can duplicate these.
Those Chinese scooters are really popular here, as said HON- or KYM-blanks work on most of them.