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Frozen Ignition Problem
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NinjaWarrier
#1 Posted : 16 December 2009 09:55:53
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Hi Guys

Need some help, my bike lives outside under a cover but last night was bitter!!!Crying

I being a numpty also forgot to put my cover on and so the heavy front hit the bike even harder!! The problem I had this morning was that I could get the key in but not turn.

About a month ago I was having problems with the ignition being really hard to turn, I was advised to put in lots of grease to free it up and this worked a treat. However this morning when pulling out the key it looked almost like crystalised grease but I would have thought it would have to be artic cold for that to happen????

Anyway I used warm water into the hole and this got all ok, problem of course was when I got to work the key WAS THEN FROZEN IN the ignition. So I again got some warm water and was able to get it out.

2 questions.

1) Firstly have I made the problem worse but putting water in the ignition barrel so that it will repeate more?

2) How can I avoid this problem????

Cheers chaps and chapesses!!!
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NinjaWarrier
#2 Posted : 10 February 2010 07:30:26
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Does anyone have a long term plan for stopping this happening? Is there some type of magic cream or gel grease to ensure it does not get locked up?
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Hooter
#3 Posted : 10 February 2010 13:25:52
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Hi Ninja
Would not advise hot water for reasons you have discovered when it quickly becomes cold water! Depending on the grease you have used it will get less viscous as it gets colder hence the stiffness (one time when copa slip is not a good idea)
My advice would be to warm it up/dry it out now (the wifes hairdryer works well but avoid leaving greasy fingerprints if you want to get away with it)
Then fill up with WD40 to dispel moisture and lubricate. That should thin the grease a bit as well. Repeat if you think it has had a soaking in rain or washing.
If you do get caught out with a frozen lock warm the key before inserting. It only needs to be warm so don't melt it over your lighter. Warming the key in your mouth will do if you havent got a lighter, may take a couple of attempts but don't force it, Good luck.
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NinjaWarrier
#4 Posted : 10 February 2010 13:53:13
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Hi Hooter

Thank for that, will have to attempt the hairdryer thing, sounds like a good idea. I do ride in all weathers so does that mean though that I have to dry it out every time it gets wet?
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Hooter
#5 Posted : 10 February 2010 18:33:38
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No. I was just suggesting it for the first time to make sure the wd40 got in everywhere. Once you have got that first coating the occasional spray should do the trick. Cheers.
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johnsullivan
#6 Posted : 16 February 2010 19:35:26
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What machine do you ride ninja a kawasaki .Avoid oil or wd 40 down your key hole.Next chance flush the crap out with petrol.leave to dry then lube with graphite.
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NinjaWarrier
#7 Posted : 16 February 2010 19:37:52
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Hi John

I am indeed a kawasaki man!! Why the petrol may I ask? I like to learn for the future and any knowledge increases me from my ZERO knowledge level LOL Laugh
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johnsullivan
#8 Posted : 18 February 2010 19:19:07
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well it is cheap and leaves no residue.WD 40 leaves a hard flaky material after a while.Itis the same with oil which emulsifies:the nasty white paste you get in oil caps.Some swichblocks have a little drain hole to pernit any water to, well ,drain.
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NinjaWarrier
#9 Posted : 18 February 2010 20:26:13
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then it has to be said that the name drain hole seems like a good one LOL LOL

Thanks for the explanation
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