Katana Owners Club U.K.

Any quick tips to get me through my schoolboy error?

Just bought a cheap 1100ESD as a running hack whilst I do the restoration on my Pop-Up. Bike is running legal but very worn including the ignition barrel it seems.

The previous owner was kind enough to deliver as he was passing and after we fired t up and walked around it I knocked it off and unthinkingly flicked the key hard over. After going in and sorting paperwork we came out and noticed the main and tail light were on. This may be a wiring glitch I need to fix but the key point is that the barrel is locked with the steering lock and neither key will unlock it. I ended up disconnecting the battery to save it and switch the lights off but my concern is getting back to "off" so I can switch it on and off again and fire it up. I remember my last ESD was a bit sticky on the steering lock but before I embark on sipping the front end to remove the barrel can anybody suggest any quick fixes? I rather suspect I must have pushed the key over to "parking" as lock and lights are on but I did it unthinkingly and have not yet taken deliver of a manual to check.

What a plonker - haven't even given it a blast yet!

Yes will defo be in 'park' hence running lights.........

Try filling the barrel with a WD40 type stuff??

I tried WD40 in the barrel and a liberal spray around where the lock is. I'll try it again tomorrow after a soak. Thanks for confirming the "park" mode must avoid that in the future.

try jiggling the bars from side to side whist turning the key. they frequently stick.

My Work Bandit is like this all the time. Pull the handlebars right back to the tank , then a bit more. The key will seem to be at the bottom but it will push down more , then turn the key sharply to the right.


Is this the red black esd.?

Have you tried the key slightly up from bottom (or down if you can like Fossie suggests I guess?) I thought the steering lock on my TZR250 didn't actually work, but if I move the key up a mm or 2 it will then turn and work.

Thanks for the suggestions. Before I fired up the PC and saw your posts I had another go and thought there was a bit of movement when I lifted the key a bit but it didn't free it. I'll keep fiddling with your suggestions especially if I can feel a bit more down movement with the bars hard over. If this is the only problem I have with this bike I'll be a happy man. One thing I have now noticed is how badly the brake lines and electric cables are routed around the head stock. Maybe fairing off and a bit of tidying up will be good for it.

I'll let you know how I get on although it looks like a weekend job.