Triumphrat

Baltothunder · 10-02-2009, 11:06 AM

Hello all. Just another new Thunderbird owner here. I haven't been able to quite figure out the steering column lock on it yet. Bars turned fully left, insert key, press in and twist counter clockwise, but nothing seems to catch.

What am I doing wrong?

dazco · 10-02-2009, 11:39 AM

After you turn it fully, as you are tryin to turn the key move the bars back and fourth a bit. The problem you have is the hole isn't aligning perfectly with the pin. Just wiggle the bars around till you feel the key turn more. You'll feel it. And realize that it ALSO has a harley type fork lock too, the type thats just two loops for a padlock to go thru. Thats a far safer and harder to crack one for those places you need more security. Steering locks are considered easy to break by yanking the bars hard a few time. i assume that may not be true if they are beefy enough. But the padlock one is likely to be sturdier and using both woul make it REALLY hard.
Oh, and congrats on the Tbird purchase !

Baltothunder · 10-02-2009, 12:46 PM

Thanks! Only had it a day and have already had obout 5 people walk up to talk about. Will probably go the padlock route and just stow it in my jacket.

Derby Boy · 10-05-2009, 03:18 PM

If the steering lock is the same as on the Bonnie, then hang the key in your laundry room and buy a disc lock. It's not the getting it locked issue, it's the fear of breaking off the key trying to get it unlocked. Some Bonnie owners have had this issue.

traveler501 · 10-05-2009, 03:23 PM

I couldn't get my steering lock to work at all...realized (ala dazco earlier) that the handlebars needed to be turned back just a hair in the other direction and the locking pin slid right into place. With just a little twist either way...it locks or unlocked effortlessly. I still agree that a padlock is probably most secure...but in a pinch, the steering does actually function in my experience.

Birdy68 · 10-13-2009, 06:18 AM

Pad Lock and a Mother of a Chain!

Pad Lock the steering with the chain and then onto a tree...
In the words of dear Mr. Punch, "that's the way to do it!"

dazco · 10-13-2009, 10:27 AM

This is a Tbird we're talking about here birdy. Nothing less than a hired guard in a machine gun turret will do.

PappasGarage · 10-20-2009, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baltothunder

Hello all. Just another new Thunderbird owner here. I haven't been able to quite figure out the steering column lock on it yet. Bars turned fully left, insert key, press in and twist counter clockwise, but nothing seems to catch.

What am I doing wrong?

Same here, and then sometimes you just can´t get the key in it´s place and that is even more disturbing if the bike is locked and you can´t open it! Perhaps by time it loosens up and
starts to function. On the Speedy it´s nice and loose.

Hey! that´s not the Birds fault.

I´ll get a padlock and a few meter chain.

Tester · 10-20-2009, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Baltothunder
Hello all. Just another new Thunderbird owner here. I haven't been able to quite figure out the steering column lock on it yet. Bars turned fully left, insert key, press in and twist counter clockwise, but nothing seems to catch.

What am I doing wrong?

All of the above is correct but once u have twisted the key counter clockwise, try turning the key clockwise just a little bit, while it is still pressed in, then u should be able to withdraw the key and it should remain locked, it worked for me!!

Truss · 10-20-2009, 01:02 PM

My steering lock was super sticky at first and I had a heck of a time trying to get it to work. I almost snapped the key off trying to loosten it up. However, after a bit of persistence it has totally loostened up and works perfectly. Just remember to keep the wheel fully cranked to the side when pushing the key in.....then move the bars ever so slightly, turn the key until you feel it catch. The same goes for unlocking.....push the key in then slightly move the bars and the key should spring back.

They must be on the tight side from the factory and then free up with use. That's the way mine was anyway.