Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Help! my keys were stolen and I cannot free my bike!

My courier bag was stolen 2 nights ago and my bike is locked to a street sign on a beach boardwalk! It is an old Kryptonite U lock. I tried to use a bic pen on it last year when the story broke, but was unsuccessful. My baby is stuck out there getting all salty!

I have sent an email to Kryptonite and am waiting on their reply.
Can anyone tell me how the hell do I break this lock?
I have heard of using liquid nitrogen or freon, but I dont think I can obtain either of those.
I've heard of using a car jack, but I dont think I can get my hands on one of those either.
Is there a method of using a lever? Can anyone explain?
Or is it possible to saw through one with a hacksaw?

I swear I'm on the level, not some inept would-be bike thief. I'm totally bummed without my bike.
I feel like Pee Wee Herman.

please help.

thanks

MAtt

*

Personally, as crappy as it is, I think you need to wait for Kryptonite to get back to you.

Another route, is if you have any proof that the bike is yours (pics of you with it prior to being locked, Registered with the police etc) and go to the police. If you convince THEM that it is yours, perhaps they will help you free the bike (with the appropriate power tools).

This is a good example of why you shouldn't keep all yor keys for your bike lock on the same key ring!
Good luck peewee!

i'd remove all the bits that you can while it's locked, so no one steals them.

what kind of street sign is it? maybe you could take the sign off the top of the pole if it's screwed on and then slide it off the top of the pole?

If you can reach with an extension cord, use either a sawzall or circular saw with an abrasive blade. Obviously even easier would be a cordless version of the above. I have done this many times, it takes just over a minute to cut a u-lock. Makes lots of noise and fire too, which is a plus. Don't forget eye protection.

is it possible with (a lot of persistance) to hacksaw through a U lock? I've read yes and no on various forums/boards. Anyone here done it before?

Also, does a cordless sawzall or circular saw exist?

I dont think there are any power outlets nearby.
Its on a beach boardwalk here in Valencia, Spain. There aren't any stores close enough to run an extension chord.

this is so frustrating...

is it possible to wedge a car jack (like one of the small ones, from like a Honda, etc) between the lock and the pole? If so, open the jack and "POP" - bikey bikey! You might try this. I have also heard that a solid pipe and the right leverage can pop these, although I am not sure about that.

is it possible with (a lot of persistance) to hacksaw through a U lock? I've read yes and no on various forums/boards. Anyone here done it before?

Also, does a cordless sawzall or circular saw exist?

this is so frustrating...

Yes, but have a few abrasive blades and a couple hours to kill. And yes, just send me airfare and I'll bring mine over :D If you must, the easiest way to break a u-lock is with a mallet and cold chisel or long lever. I've seen both done easily on cheap locks, but Kryptos are better made and will take more time/energy. Check with a machine shop or car mechanic, they may have the right power tools. A grinder would work too. Maybe someone has a generator you could rent.

i cut my u-lock with a big bolt cutter i borrowed from my landlord after i lost my last key. it took a while and my arms were sore the next day but it worked.

two of my friends have used hacksaws to cut through the little yellow krypto locks that came with the NYC chains. They said it took them about an hour to cut through it and oddly not a single person bothered either of them. Maybe they knew that they were only trying to get the chain, and leave the bike...

cut down the sign pole.

Find your proof of ownership paperwork or old phots. Call the cops - explain the situation. Give them the time you plan to cut the lock off and invite them to meet you on the site if they wish. Have a hack saw and four or five spare blades and a bit of oil. Oil the blade and the cut site as you saw and all will go swimmingly. Bring a spare lock in case you are forced to quit halfway through the process. You can lock your bike without worry that someone will finish the job while you are away.

Best of luck!

Sorry to hear this man, I think you should give the bic pen another shot though. It doesn't have to be a bic pen either, you just need to find a hard plastic tube that will fit snugly over the cylinder. If that doesn't work, a honda or volvo car jack should do the trick nicely.

You need a cordless anglegrinder
http://www.dewalt.com//ProductImages/PC_Graphics/PHOTOS/DEWALT/TOOLS/LARGE/4/DC410KA_1.jpg

There are Lock removal companies, usually out of a Locksmith company that will remove your lock for 25$ or so. Might be more where you are, dunno.

there was that video floating around of the two guys in new york cutting through a chain lock in several different ways without being bothered. I think they were cutting through the chain , not the lock, and the hacksaw took them seven minutes. Then there was the light pole and they used a power supply located at the base to power a grinder. It was pretty funny. At one point they were near the UN and thecops stopped the guys from filming but was unconcerned about the guy cutting though the lock.

I've used an electric grinder (corded) before and it takes under a minute once you're set up... If that's at all an option that's what I'd do. Don't know for sure but I'd bet the battery powered grinder would take about twice as long for the cut, but of course there's no set up time.

Contact a locksmith as soon as possible. Most of them travel to homes or other locations to unlock car doors, and other things. Prepare to prove that the bike belongs to you. I will cost you some money, but it is cheaper than a new bike.

Please let the forum members know what happens!

If you're going to use a jack, make sure you position it such that the lock isn't crushing the frame against the pole. That would be bad.

m.

I think the disk grinder is the best bet. I lost the key to an old generic u-lock and had my bike stuck to a pole on our front porch back in the day. My dad had one similar to the one pictured, but corded. It took about 30sec to get through the lock, sparks flying everywhere. Just be really careful not to overshoot and go through your frame - that would probably be even faster :O You can probably rent one for the day from a hardware store for like $20.

Now I just keep my house keys in my pocket, bike key on a band around my wrist or elbow, spare bike key in the bag, another spare at home. So far that's working well...

Personally, as crappy as it is, I think you need to wait for Kryptonite to get back to you.

Another route, is if you have any proof that the bike is yours (pics of you with it prior to being locked, Registered with the police etc) and go to the police. If you convince THEM that it is yours, perhaps they will help you free the bike (with the appropriate power tools).

This is a good example of why you shouldn't keep all yor keys for your bike lock on the same key ring!
Good luck peewee!

I keep a set of house and car keys on a cord around my neck. When I drive somewhere I use my master set
of keys and hide them inside when I get out. I use my spares to re-enter.

thanks to everyone for the advice.
Well, after I made my orignal posts I hopped on a bus with photos of the bike (the closest thing to proof of ownership that I have here in Spain) a hacksaw and 5 extra blades. I spoke to the cops first and they gave me an indifferent nod of permission.
Trying to cut that metal with the hacksaw I had was an exercise in futility. The blade didn't even scratch the metal. Do I need a special blade?
Someoone wrote about "abrasive blades" - are these special blades for cutting through hardened steel?
I put another cheap lock on it, so now there are 3 locks total. I feel a little better about it being a little safer, but I'm still worried. The beach is in a sort of sketchy area, so the sooner I get it out of there, the better.

I had a friend call some locksmiths yesterday and she said they all turned her down... I'm not sure why. I'm gonna try again Monday morning (nothing is open here on Sundays)
I'm gonna look into renting a cordless anglegrinder, too. If I get one, does anyone know if they make specific blades for cutting metal?

Why couldn't this have happened to me in SF?

thanks again for your help

hey matt i live in santa cruz maybe i can help if you need an extra hand or foot or acetylene torch lol

try some plastic explosive in the lock... should do the trick.

***DISCLAIMER***
PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE IS HARMFUL AND SHOULD NEVER BE EATEN. IF IT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH YOUR EYES, DON'T BLINK. SUCCAS SHOULD AVOID PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE AT ALL COST.

any cordless angle grinder is going to run through several batteries on its way through a decent ulock. I'd rec. working on your bic technique and trying some more locksmiths...

Go to a gaspro and get some liquid nitrogen. Keep it in a thermos. Dip part of the lock in it or pour it on the lock then hit with a hammer. Voila. Your bike is free. Can also be done with cans of freon.
late

any cordless angle grinder is going to run through several batteries on its way through a decent ulock. I'd rec. working on your bic technique and trying some more locksmiths...

I don't think that's true. While working as a mechanic, I've cut quite a few locks with cordless power tools. This is the kind of blade you want, it's called a cut-off wheel.

http://static.zoovy.com/img/usfreight/-/continentalcow

Here is one for a reciprocating saw (Sawzall):

http://www.mytoolstore.com/dewalt/dw4844.jpg


They call it a Carbide Grit Edge Blade. This will cut almost any ulock in minutes.

i'm going to throw in another vote for the grinder. I've used them. It works. I've cut through krypto u-locks within less than two minutes using the plug in kind. i've never tried cordless.

Another option, if you have some sort of proof of ownership (and this is a long shot) is to contact the police and have them remove the lock for you. They have to this with abandoned bikes after a time, and they have the tools and know-how to do it.
(sorry if someone mentioned this already, i didn't take the time to read everyone's answers).

J

After reading this thread, I looked for my serial numbers on the BB, but didn't find much. So I took my dremel and carved 'HereNT' into the paint. That should help if I ever have to prove proof of ownership... I hope...

After reading this thread, I looked for my serial numbers on the BB, but didn't find much. So I took my dremel and carved 'HereNT' into the paint. That should help if I ever have to prove proof of ownership... I hope...

not to mention the .00099110 of weight reduction, now you will haul ass! Except maybe now the aerodynamics have been disturbed and you even notice some drag. :p

they do make a special blade for cutting through metal. You'll need to get whatever blade diameter fits your grinder but a cutting wheel should be only about an eigth of an inch thick. Don't get the 1/4 inch wheels, a thin blade is cutting much less metal. I don't know about in spain, but if I were renting something here, they usually let you get more blades than you need then you return the ones you don't use. It really shouldn't take more than two blades max but get extras just in case.


any cordless angle grinder is going to run through several batteries on its way through a decent ulock.

I haven't used an 18 volt grinder to cut a ulock before but I have cut plenty of metal catwalk with a regular cardide tipped blade in a 14v circular saw and my guess would be that you wouldn't have a battery problem cutting through a ulock.

let us know when you get it off, how you did it and how long it took.

Sorry to hear this man, I think you should give the bic pen another shot though. It doesn't have to be a bic pen either, you just need to find a hard plastic tube that will fit snugly over the cylinder. If that doesn't work, a honda or volvo car jack should do the trick nicely.


I have two Volvos in the driveway, but I doubt that I could get either over to Valencia Espania in short order.

http://www.neistat.com/

click MOVIES, and then BIKE THEIF. Sad, sad film. No one gives a sh*t anymore...

:)

Go visit the Fire Dept. if you are in a decent sized city they may have a wide variety of tools to show you to cut locks to all the locked burning buildings. They do in the USA.

Yes, call los bomberos unless it costs too much. They have a hydraulic tool that can cut up cars... 10 sec.
If the lock is a krypto evolution 2000, the infamous bic-prone one, you can pop it open in 2 sec. Just find a pen with a slightly smaller diameter than the lock so it gets a bit stuck. Jam it in hard and turn as key. If it is an other kind of tubular tumbler, see my PM.

thanks to everyone for the advice.
Well, after I made my orignal posts I hopped on a bus with photos of the bike (the closest thing to proof of ownership that I have here in Spain) a hacksaw and 5 extra blades. I spoke to the cops first and they gave me an indifferent nod of permission.
Trying to cut that metal with the hacksaw I had was an exercise in futility. The blade didn't even scratch the metal. Do I need a special blade?
Someoone wrote about "abrasive blades" - are these special blades for cutting through hardened steel?
I put another cheap lock on it, so now there are 3 locks total. I feel a little better about it being a little safer, but I'm still worried. The beach is in a sort of sketchy area, so the sooner I get it out of there, the better.

I had a friend call some locksmiths yesterday and she said they all turned her down... I'm not sure why. I'm gonna try again Monday morning (nothing is open here on Sundays)
I'm gonna look into renting a cordless anglegrinder, too. If I get one, does anyone know if they make specific blades for cutting metal?

Why couldn't this have happened to me in SF?

thanks again for your help

You need a diamond bit cut blade for the hack saw. We used them alot in NYC. I used it on my bike in 1987 when my keys fell down a drain during a down pour.

S/F,
CEYA!

You need a diamond bit cut blade for the hack saw. We used them alot in NYC. I used it on my bike in 1987 when my keys fell down a drain during a down pour.

S/F,
CEYA!

That sounds like it sucks the most, Ceya. Quite unpleasant.

Just to update those of you following this thread -
I went back today and enlisted the help of the beach cops. In my horrible broken Spanish I explained my situation to them (again) and we had a walk down the boardwalk to where the bike is.
This time we tried 36" bolt cutters. No dice. They made slight dents on the lock, but there is no way they were gonna cut through.
I'm going back tomorrow with a bag of pens and a six pack of beer.
I have tried unsuccessfully in the past to pop the lock with a bic but some kind soul suggested a specific technique, so I'm going to have another shot at it.
If that doesnt work, I've located a tool rental place. Hopefully they have a chordless saw/angle grinder.

I'll post results tomorrow.

thanks again for your help.

M

Can we see a picture of the infamous locked bike in its current location before removal ?

Can we see a picture of the infamous locked bike in its current location before removal ?
+1

You need a cordless anglegrinder
http://www.dewalt.com//ProductImages/PC_Graphics/PHOTOS/DEWALT/TOOLS/LARGE/4/DC410KA_1.jpg

http://www.wilsonk.com/blog/tim.jpg
(approves)

well, my camera was also stolen, along with the keys (the whole courier bag), so I cant send a digital pic, but maybe I'll pic up a disposable camera tomorrow before I liberate my baby.

mattyO, did you free your bike?

Well, the owner has now being trying to unlock his Kryptonite lock for almost a week. Lots of helpful folks have posted to claim that THEY could open his lock in just a couple of seconds, and some folks were "kind" enough to tell every crook in the world with a computer just how to do so.

But, the fact remains, even a well-equipped Pro with the best tools is likely to need ten minutes or more to open the "best" Kryptonite locks without damaging the bike. And most folks can't open a Kryptonite in a week, as this thread illustrates.

Ok...here it is...cut the frame and forget the bike...LOL! Nah man try to rig up a angle grinder even if corded to your car Cigarette lighter adapter they got them. Call Ghostbuster maybe they can help!

get a cordless sawzall and some demo or search and rescue blades and its done even the cheap one at home depot is good enough

maybe he got arrested for trying to steal the bike

PS I didn't know every thief on the internet was on this board! Now it makes sense how we're up to 13,000 members :)

maybe he got arrested for trying to steal the bike

PS I didn't know every thief on the internet was on this board! Now it makes sense how we're up to 13,000 members :)


yeah, ill give him the benifit of the doubt and belive his story, but the problem with that kind of questions is a (newbie) theif could use the suggestion, not that its really that hard to figure out how to defete any kind of bike lock that you would reasonably want to haul around.

im not pointing fingers at anyone, just making an obvious observation.

Well, the owner has now being trying to unlock his Kryptonite lock for almost a week. Lots of helpful folks have posted to claim that THEY could open his lock in just a couple of seconds, and some folks were "kind" enough to tell every crook in the world with a computer just how to do so.

security through obscurity isn't really such a good way of protecting things.

also, a lot of people here, including me, have met mattyO, so it's not like it's some random asking, besides which, searching on the string 'kryptonite pick' in google turns up everything an aspiring thief could need to get started http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=ig&q=kryptonite+pick&btnG=Google+Search

I would imagine if you hooked a chain around the thing and to your car and drove away... something would happen. Be sure to film it.

that would be so funny. Like a Honda Civic would struggle...I know some guys with F250 Diesels. So much torgue. Could rip the bike, wall and whatever else out of the way!