DeafLamb

I left my girlfriends apartment and went to unlock by bike. The key won't insert all the way and I can't get my lock off. It's a bulldog U-lock. Aren't they kinda made to be tough to get off. What am I going to to do? I need my bike.

Any suggestions?

jet sanchEz

Did you check inside the tube-thing of the key? Sometimes junk gets stuck in there and the key won't go all the way in.

The LT

squirt some lube in the lock and make sure all of the tumblers are lined up to allow you to get the key in if some of them aren't aligned try using something really thin to push them into place

mander

A locksmith, persistence with the key+ flushing with wd40, or a grinder with a cutting wheel will do it. that thing will probably ****ing destroy a hacksaw unless you get some special super hard blades. Good luck!

Edit: Try persistence plus a **** ton of WD40 first. Most likely there is just some gunk in there.

isotopesope

find someone with an oxy-acetylene blow torch.

blu3d0g

sawz-all, porta-band, cutting torch.

oharescrubs

sounds like its time for a new bike to me

taken67

DeafLamb

Thanks for the advice. The only thing I can figure is that some ice formed inside the lock itself. Pretty nasty weather here right now. I'll try some of the suggestions about actually opening up the lock, hopefully the weather will improve here in Maine tomorrow.

IDeliverPitas

that sucks. Yeah, that thing will definitely **** up a hacksaw, I tried to saw through a ****ty Bell U-lock (I lost the key, I'm not a thief) and even that destroyed the blade without any progress on the lock. The guy at the bike shop I go to has cut U-locks off for people so if you know anybody who works at a bike shop well enough that they will believe it's your bike they might help you out. or an auto mechanic or something along those lines.

veggiemafia

mander

DL, if ice is the prob just get a cup full of hot water and pour it on, baby. A forum member successfully used hot water to de-ice a u- lock a few months ago.

jjvw

Try a hacksaw with a new and GOOD fine tooth blade. Not whatever came with with the saw. I had to cut through a u-lock recently and did it in under two minutes. A Bulldog lock is probably better than what I cut through, but it can be done. Remember, most bike theives use hacksaws and bolt cutters because that is all that is really needed.

But first try WD-40 or hot water.

OrgFarmCY

Use a plasma cutter, and then you can weld the whole thing back together.

--Aaron

Analog

I use onguard locks, and sometimes you just have to turn the key around and try the other direction, for whatever reason.
Otherwise a reasonably long bolt-cutter and decent leverage should work - for reference, check out that British video about how simple it is to cut through motorcycle locks. I think it was posted in the video thread.

Cynikal 

If its frozen, use a lighter on the key and try it again.

silent1

Use a jack out of a car. Most small cars have small scissor jack with are perfect for removing a u-lock. Just place the jack in the center of the shackle and open the jack up. It will take about 2 minutes but is much easier than the other methods. I have tried the other methods and this method is by far the easiest.

taken67

If it's a thick lock a plasma cutter probably won't do the trick.

OrgFarmCY

There are plasma cutters with a pretty decent sized torch. I've cut 1/4 inch steel before, and I know there are bigger.

--Aaron

taken67

Hmm 1/4 inch is about the limit for the ones we have at school, a bigger one would be sweet! But I still think an angle grinder with a cutting disc would be easier, no need for a 220 outlet, or an air supply.

dirtyphotons

call the fire department's NON EMERGENCY LINE. they've got stuff on hand that will cut through way worse.

trust me.

OrgFarmCY

haha, yeah. I just think it's a funny idea to lug around a plasma cutter.

An angle grinder is your best bet, but you should try a lighter first. A cordless dremel probably wouldnt cut it, but if you have one laying around, coulding hurt to try. And the last, but not least list... The pipe cutter. You're hands might fall off, but it'll work.... eventually.

--Aaron

jjvw

Agreed. Most of us don't have a plasma cutter, let alone know how to use one. Don't make things complicated and expensive.

Here are the suggestions I got at work for cutting mine:
Plasma cutter (!!!!)
Oxy/Acetylene torch
Right angle grinder (power?)
Recip. saw (power?, unless cordless)
Cutting disk on a cordless drill
Freon from an air conditioner
Liquid nitrogen
Squeeze on the gel from an ice pack to corrode the metal
Bolt cutters

I used a hacksaw and I got it done very quickly.

Baube

if the problem is ice in the lock, you just have to heat the key with a lighter, then put it in the lock


the ice will melt and your bike is gonna be free


works for my car at minus 40

Phil B

angle grinders and plasma cutters are really fun to use, so even if they don't work they'll at least be fun to use. that's my 2 cents.