ignition switch dust door stuck open

[bort]

I went out to start my bike for the first time in about 2 weeks, it ran great for about 5 minutes. I go to shut it off and the key won't come out of the ignition. I cycled it, jiggled it, finally it came out. But now the dust door is stuck open. Any ideas on how to get it closed????

 

[Big Blu]

I've used WD40 as a lubricant on ignition switches when the key was binding, have done it on several bikes with no ill effects.

Paul

 

[TimLaw]

Is it possible someone messed with it with a screwdriver? Since you said you went "out" was it outside?

 

[Ramseybella]

I would hit it with a shot of electrical switch cleaner.

 

[bort]

Yeah, she's an outdoor bike that spends rainy or days less than 40 under a dowco coved

 

[Don in Lodi]

I was going to suggest the WD as well, stick the red pipette in the slot and squirt till it foams out the top. Flushed out many ignition switches and door locks with the stuff. If the electrical cleaner has a pipette to focus the spray, use that instead.
Prolly should give your seat lock and latch a shot of lube as well.

 

[frez]

If it's caused by ice/frost then alcohol based hand sanitizer is great at unsticking it. The alcohol burns through the ice. I always carry a small container of it, but I've not used it for cleaning my hands yet, only for unsticking the ignition and fuel lock when I was working at a company where I had to park the bike outside. Just put a blob of it on the end of the key and wiggle the key in and out.

 

[Ramseybella]

I was going to suggest the WD as well, stick the red pipette in the slot and squirt till it foams out the top. Flushed out many ignition switches and door locks with the stuff. If the electrical cleaner has a pipette to focus the spray, use that instead.
Prolly should give your seat lock and latch a shot of lube as well.

That seat lock hangs up on me once in awhile, I have had to shoot it with WD-40 than fanangle it a bit with the key.
Don't want to snap a key off. :'(
I don't like the ignition key mechanism much on this bike it looks a little weak on the weather resistant side to me, but I never had an issue as of yet with it.

 

[Checkswrecks]

WD-40 carries a lubricant and while it generally will not do harm in the short term, the lube can hold dust, which you don't want long-term in the electric contacts of a switch. In higher am switches the lube and penetrant can do really bad things.


As Ramseybella wrote, use electric contact cleaner. It's the right tool for the job.

 

[Don in Lodi]

WD-40 carries a lubricant and while it generally will not do harm in the short term, the lube can hold dust, which you don't want long-term in the electric contacts of a switch. In higher am switches the lube and penetrant can do really bad things.


As Ramseybella wrote, use electric contact cleaner. It's the right tool for the job.

I'm honestly not sure how much of anything we spray in the mechanical tumblers actually gets into the electrics. The electrics on my Royal Star were very much separate from the mechanical portion. But yes, the contact cleaner evaporates fast and leaves no residue, but it's fluid long enough to flush the brass filings and dust out of the tumblers. A proper graphite dry lube should be used if the tumblers are still sticky afterwards.

 

[Big Blu]

I suggested WD40 because of it water dispersion capability, remember this bike lives outdoors and is exposed to the elements and condensation build up under the cover.

Paul

 

[offcamber]

Try some tuner/electrical cleaner. Won't do any harm and won't leave residue. You can fin it at Radio Shack or similar places.

 

[Ramseybella]

I suggested Contact spray as it will dry, some have a very light lubricant to it and if by chance it dose make contact with the electrical it would be an extra bonus.
WD does disperse liquid and the lubricant does evaporate but over time.
Graphite lock lubricant is a solid material that will stay inside but if it gets wet it will clump and then what? Its made for building door,s pad locks and automobile door locks, they sit horizontal or point down (pad lock).
I guess what needs to be done is take a ignition switch apart and see how it's mechanical and electrical components are fitted together.
After all this is on a motorcycle and is made to be in the elements you would think it could take some outdoor abuse, I personalty have seen better keyhole covers on other bikes.
I put a piece of duct tape over it when I wash my bike.

 

[bort]

THE FINALLY....
After just passing by the covered up bike on my way to work it was finally above freezing in baltimore and I took the cover off. The door had reset itself so just for the hell of it I gave it a wd40 bath.
Thank you to everyone!!!!!

 

[Big Blu]

bort... sounds like you're good to go, ....
....
...
.
... as soon as spring arrives or a great thaw passes your way.

Paul