Hitchcocks Forum

Took a bit of a tumble yesterday. Started the bike up. Turned a corner, but couldn't straighten up. I fell over. Guess who had forgotton to undo the steering lock? Yeah, me! Ain't crashbars great. The only damage done was a bent footrest peg (oh and some pride). Shopping time!

Barry, hope footrest and pride soon return to normal.

If I may pass on the suggestion from the dealer who sold me my first Bullet.... Don't use the steering lock... as you say in your message, but also if anyone tries to steal the bike they'll damage the lock which then causes further problems. He said just use a proper big padlock and chain etc. I think he muttered something about shotguns, too, but I don't really go for guns myself. Except for The Gun.

Very best, Chris

Oops. I don't use the steering lock, never thought it added much security. I don't use a disc lock either because, sooner or later, I would try to ride off with it in place.

I wouldn't worry to much folks. The steering lock is now broken. I won't be fixing it (I don't know how). Ho hum. We live and learn. At least our hosts earned some money from this cock-up.

Chris says "Don't use the steering lock... as you say in your message, but also if anyone tries to steal the bike they'll damage the lock which then causes further problems. He said just use a proper big padlock and chain etc. " - Wouldn't they cause even more damage trying to remove a dirty great padlock and chain ? - lol!

I can understand why you might not bother replacing the steering lock, however. I've just bought a new steering lock myself for my Redditch Bullet. This is an "Emgo" item and I read on the 'net that "this is a good quality replacement" for the missing original. However, the "bolt" part of this (that actually does the locking) is of the same pot metal/alloy as the body of the lock.....,br>
This part of the original lock would have been steel.

I have two Triumphs which use the same lock - and they're both missing, too .....argghh..

I think even the very best lock will not stop a really determined thief - I suppose a good result would be that it slowed him down enough to make him not bother.

If they really want the bike, a group of them will just pick it up and load it into a van even if the alarm is going off. To combat this, I chained my Bullet to a gate, they stole the gate and left the Bullet.

This time last year some ******d tried to steal my C5 from the driveway. Big padlock on the back wheel but they tried to wrench the steering lock and only succeeded in bending the handlebars. Mr H provided a complete lock replacement for £45. Steering lock on the front & padlock on the back prevents 2 people from just lifting the front end. Not fail safe but better than nothing. What does your insurance say about taking adequate security precautions?

The only thing that my Insurance asked: How is the bike secured at night. I replied: It's locked in the garage. They were happy. I did notice that our hosts sell a replacement lock assembly. However. I've no idea how to remove the old one (It's built into the steering stock). Somehow. The cover has to come off before the lock assembly can be removed.

With the steering over to the other side it is 2 allen bolts. 5 min job. Only problem is you nood the full kit which is ign barrel fuel cap and locks for the boxes. I changed all mine to keep things to 1 key but it was all quite simple.

Sorry, but my steering lock isn't like that. It's in the head stock (Yeah, I said steering stock last time). I think you're talking about the later version, where the lock is bolted to the bottom yolk.