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Security: Disc Lock vs T140?

2K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  Teralarch 
#1 ·
Hi All.

Wishing everyone a rewarding 2019.

For some time now, it's bcome second nature to carry and use a Disc Lock when securing my Japanese machine.

Now that I'll (hopefully not too long) be riding a T140 what are riders using to secure a publicly parked classic?


cheers

R R
 
#4 ·
Heavy plastic coated steel cable and lock has worked for me. Also allows for secure locking of helmet by threading through face space of full-face helmet. Cable and lock fits (snugly) in my jacket pocket for transport.

But yes,...I know, can easily be cut with chain cutters if the perpetrator has them :(
 
#11 ·
Hi Rod,

chain cutters
battery powered die grinder
battery powered rechargeable 4" angle grinder
If @rambo weren't bobbing about on the briny, he's posted before: when he worked at Exeter Uni, one of his first jobs after the start of the holidays was go 'round and remove all the students' pushbikes left locked, chained, whatever'd to Uni property; a cheapo cordless disc cutter never took more than thirty seconds on any lock ...

I use a D-lock I've had for donkey's years, just because it's easy to attach to any bike. But, more likely, an old Britbike's starting technique - tickling, kickstarting, blah - is way more of a deterrent to the average joyrider ... just park in amongst a bunch of twist-'n'-gos ... :rofl

Regards,
 
#5 ·
Hi Rod, I use fork lock at all times parking bike, even in garage.

I carry a cable in the saddle bag with a combination lock. Rather like a heavy duty bicycle set up. I use this overnight or when I'll actually be away from bike, like in a restaurant when I can't see bike. I'll lock to post if possible, but often just thread through wheels.

With the advent of powerful battery powered die grinders it only takes about 5 seconds to cut through hardened chain or lock. No doubt a good set of cable cutters would cut my cable effortlessly.

My thought is this, a pro thief will get bike no matter what. I just want to stop the casual thug that see's an old bike & would push it around the corner & down the block, then call a buddy with a truck.

In USA good vintage bike insurance is not costly & actually pays if wrecked or stolen.

Being near major cities where crime & theft are rampant as i am just sucks. I try to avoid the worst areas best as possible. What if I broke down there??
Don
 
#6 ·
Super Cheap Auto [and similar] will sell you a battery powered rechargeable 4" angle grinder for $30. This tool is all anyone needs for a 'one off' job like cutting through a cable or chain. So nothing is safe. I also know of a motorcycle [Ducati actually] that had a disc lock on the front wheel stolen using a skateboard and bungee strap.
So, nothing is truly safe.
I used to use disc locks and rear chain locks but after forgetting once [and having to embarrassingly phone my mates with big arsed bolt cutters cos the lock was damaged and the key wouldn't work] I changed to a 1/2" plastic coated cable with swaged ends [cheap at Big W for pushbikes]. I use this on the rear wheel and over the seat with a padlock, I now can't forget cos I'd sit on it. I didn't go overboard, just enough to stop the opportunist, or the joyrider. The better prepared thief will shop at Super Cheap first :(.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the insights Guys.

I realised, while inspecting the project, that disc locks weren't going to work.

Rummaging through my accumulated bits and pieces I came across this Kryptonite Barbwire cable which I had bought years ago but forgot I had.

it weights over 2kg (4.5Ibs), is 1.7metres long with 20mm steel cable wrapped in vinyl with a steel end allowing fitment to a D Lock.
Looking at its size and bulk, I'm thinking "How would I shove that under my jacket?".

It guards against pick up and tow away, as the cable can be wrapped around a pole or post/rail, the angle grinder issue being the exception.

Not good enough for professionals, but overkill for the opportunist.

Should I keep it, as it looks too cumbersome to lug around?

R R
 

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#8 ·
I would firstly make sure it's well insured. But then I would attempt to make sure you don't leave it anywhere at risk.
I've seen big chains wrapped round seats that allow chaining to lamp-posts. Your cable would do the same. Then you need a serious padlock though maybe yours does the full lock not illustrated.
As you realize there's no certain thing if you are going to leave it somewhere insecure. But the chain through the frame is a good one and if you're serious, fit some trackers on the bike to allow cops to find the arseholes that dare to attempt to rip you off.
Not sure if this would work out best in the long run specially if it got divided up before you got to it but chances are you'd catch the scum if you had the units well hidden inside the frame or something.
Bottom line, don't use disc locks! They are so easy to forget and the consequences are nasty. Ask me how I know.
 
#9 ·
Used to use a disc lock on my Harley. I forgot and dumped it on myself. Very embarrassing. So I guess what I’m gathering from this someone will still steal my 42 year old bike ? I’m sort of surprised. I seldom even lock mine at all, though I lock my newer bikes. The Monster has an anti theft system built in, so I might as well use it.
 
#12 ·
Hi RR,
Typically I do not bother to lock my bike, except on some rare occasions. I am not suggesting that you or anyone else does not lock their bike, make your own judgement call.

I do not leave any bike out on the street at night though.

I do have some reasoning for not using a lock, even if it is quite weak.

Firstly, I am too stupid to use chains and disc locks, I either end up over the handlebars where I forget to take a disc lock off (even with a reminder string to the handlebar) or I end up trying to drag a lampost or fence down the road with a chain.

Luckily our old clunkers are not the first choice of joyriders and casual thiefs, the oiks that do this have no idea about kickstarters on big twins, electric start or small dirt bikes are their prefered victims.

The ease at which you can get a battery powered grinder makes chains and locks a 20 second inconvenience rather than a deterrent to the more committed thief.

The prevalence of alarms and cut out security features on modern bikes has changed the way committed bike thieves operate (in my town anyway), they go equipped to mug you of your keys, rather than equipped to break your security systems. Typicaly you are followed by 2-4 thieves on scooters and are attacked when you park up.

While valuable there is only a very small market for stolen classic bikes, typical owners are older and richer, so have generally grown out of their thuggery and can afford to pay market value for machines and parts. The classic community is small, with value for these bikes being in their originality. Engine and frame numbers are well documented within owners clubs.

If I had an R1 or R6, I would chain it to a starving Rottweiler, but for a T140 it is just about far enough off of the theives radar for me to not worry unduly.

That said, I will be the first one crying if I find myself staring at a space that used to be where my bike used to be parked, and looking very sheepish when everyone says ‘told you so’
 
#14 ·
I used a disc lock on my Bike. A 1988 GSXR 1100. They just picked up the whole bike threw it into the back of a refrigerated truck (you cannot hear the alarm go off because of the insulation) and removed it at their leisure. The one time I had to park it out on the road outside my girlfriends flat in South Clapham London UK. I have never bothered since. I just use the steering lock on my 2008 Thruxton.
 
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