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Heya so I have a 97 ninja and have been having a lot of difficulty with the steering column lock. right in the ignition it says <- lock   -> off -> on -> parking light

between off and lock it says push to turn.. but it is soo difficult to do I dunno if I'm doing it wrong? I wiggle the column back and forth and I have to play with it for a loong time before I can finally get it locked. Its a hassle and I'm afraid of theft.  any tips? thank you =) it'd be nice to not look like an idiot trying to lock the bike when I go anywhere >.>

I've had a few bikes like this. I feel you're pain. Does the key slide in easily? Does the key turn to Lock easily, or does it drag? I'm not talking about just being stuck and not wanting to move that way at all, moreso if it has more resistance going to "lock" than to "on". If it has more resistance once it finally goes that way, it means the mechanism is rusted and worn. You probably don't have to replace it, just take it off the bike, and apart, clean and lube it, and it will prolly work wonders for you!

Unfortunately I don't have access to an old ninja, so I can't do a write up for you, otherwise I would.

I second what Spooph said. I had the same prob on an older bike and had to remove some rust on the locking pin with a piece of emory cloth, added a shot of white lithium grease to the pin and she worked great. 

Hm thanks. the only difficulty with turning the key whatsoever is to the lock. it turns on just fine, and it even goes to parking lights fine (which requires a push turn just like going to lock). Its going to start snowing soon so I'm gonna garage it then and perhaps try to find a walk-through for taking that bit of it apart. Thanks very much for the suggestion.

I'm not sure what you mean by drag... once it starts to turn (after I f**k with it for 15 minutes) its not to difficult, although I'm not exactly sure how its supposed to feel. the bike is 12 years old though.

So we know it's 1 of 2 things. Either the lock that slides out of the ignition to jam to the steering column shut doesn't line up with the holes on the frame and swing arm, or the lock mechanism on the inside won't push the bolt as it should. I still think it's a rust issue. I had an Ascot that dit the exact same thing (broke off 2 keys in the lock), and once I rebuild and lubed it, it was perfect!

I want to take a look at this problem more closely (hopefully fix it) today. I'm not sure where to find a write  up for trouble shooting steering lock. I have tried a lot of different searches but I don't know where to look.  basically the fork won't go into lock position and I need step by step help for taking it apart. can anyone help me find a review for this? please and thank youu!

Have you tried moving the handle bars to the right and turning the key? So full lock to the left insert key then jiggle the handlebar to right till it locks.

yeah that's what I do until it locks, but it takes a lot of messing around (at least 10 mins). I wanna take it apart to check for rust or make sure the locking pin is lined up ok. I dont really know how to go about that though... hence the guide search.

Don't know if this would help any, but it has a few different bikes and years. Maybe something similar would be in it?

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/1547071234.html (http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/1547071234.html)

hmmmm Have no idea

Hmm daisy that looks interesting. Maybe I can find a pdf online >.> lol.

I asked the owner of the manual if there is any info on steering lock and... negative.   I'm still looking. I feel pretty vulnerable leaving my bike parked somewhere without the fork locked. :s

I looked through a PDF file for the 08 - 2010 models. Nothing on the steering lock. Maybe you should take it to the dealership and just ask.

Have you tried a little W D 40 sprayed down where you insert the key?

Graphite powder would be better, if you can get your hands on some.

Felix

I'll try that, thanks. If it doesn't seem to help I'll go ask a dealer. I didn't buy from a dealer, will they still help me? =p

Do they still want your money? YES!


Of course they will help you.

You're the one with the money Sharrokor, so if they turn you away, thats their loss! It's a bike, you're a new customer, their business depends on being able to attract new customers, so they can eat!

X 2 ^

Hey so.. I talked to the ex owner and he said he recently found another key for the bike.   

... the original key -_-   Sooo! I tried the original key and bam.. it works. Turns out the problem was that the shape of the key is such that I can't push down far enough to turn to locking position. anyway.. all I have to do is grind away a bit on the handle part of the key so that there's enough clearance for pushing down.

 Anyway its still kinda funky turning so I'll try some wd-40 or graphite powder or whatever first. I dont have any powder so prob try wd-40.    Valve adjustment coming up =x

Thats great!

good to hear! oh, this makes me think, if you take your ignition out it should have a code printed on it. If you provide Kawi with that code, they can send you a new key, matched to that ignition... Its a lot more expensive than getting a key copied, but you know it's brand new and as accurate as it gets... Then you can make copies off of that if you want....

With my ninja for instance, it came with 2 keys and the key code on a pieace of metal. I immediately made a copy and hid the original. The copy is meant if I ever loose my key, and the original will NEVER go in the ignition, to keep it as prestine as possible!

Glad things are working out better for you.

thanks for that tip spooph!  i'm relieved to have it working okay.