M. Kristensen

I have a Kryptonite Flex Security lock, its a braided steel lock with a yellow built in lock in the head. Recently it was freakin cold (I live in Buffalo,NY) and my key snapped in the damn built in lock. I tried to turn the key even more and it snapped into a worthless piece of metal. I was so pissed off and I took a hammer and kind of mutilated the lock head. How do I open it? I have to use my bike for everyday use. I only have a small hatchet, hammer, etc regular household tools.

Yoshi

What kind of lock does it have? Is it a standard pin-tumbler lock? If so you can get a broken key extractor and fish it out. If it's a disk lock or a tubular lock I'm not entirely sure of the best method for removing it.

Probably your best bet is to visit a locksmith.

randya

If you hadn't mashed the lock with a hammer, you might have been able to get the piece of broken key out. Cable locks are usually easily opened with a garden variety hacksaw.

2manybikes

Keep hammering it will fall apart.

M. Kristensen

https://www.kwiklocks.com/kryptonite/...ty_cables.html

The Lock is the one called the Key Cable

2manybikes

Oops... I was thinking of a different one. Go visit the fire dept. they will tell you what to do. My friend is a captin in the Fire Dept. and a cyclist. He has the "key" to anything and everything. They have to break locks all the time to get into fires.

slvoid

Needle nose pliers.

supcom

Well, assuming you have not dmaged the cylinder, there might be enough of a stub of the key sticking out to turn with pliers or tweezers. If not, then perhaps you can get a jewelers screwdriver in between the key and the cylinder to turn it.

However, first you need to determine why the key broke. I assume the cylinder was either frozen or in need of lubrication. In either case, before you try turning the cylinder, you might try pouring some alcohol or deicer into the cylinder to melt any ice and/or hose it down with WD40, or equivalent, to lubricate it.

If that fails, you'll probably need to buy a hacksaw and a couple good blades. Oh, and a new, preferably better, lock.

PanPanX

if he takes a hacksaw to it.. wouldnt the lock be useless afterwards? or if he kept hammer it, wouldnt it mess it up? and wouldnt he end up having to get a new lock anyways?

Raiyn

He took a friggen hammer to it. Somehow I don't think he gives a ******************* if he messes it up further. Call it a hunch.

PanPanX

just get a new lock then.. why bother breaking it more??

Yoshi

It sounds like the bike is still attached to the lock.

PanPanX

oh...hahhahaa! then yes.. just use a hack saw..

operator

Can't quite figure out what expletive Raiyn said that fits that many stars, hmm.

M. Kristensen

well thanks guys for the help. although all i did was buy a bolt cutter and it came apart in like 30 seconds. any suggestions for better cable locks though because i already have a kryptonite ny u-lock 3000 but i need wheel and seat protection.

randya

OnGuard or Abus armored cables.

https://www.onguardlock.com/armour.html
https://www.abus.de/us/main.asp?Scree...&ArtikelGrID=3

Good luck finding the smaller and lighter (less than 1" diameter, less than 3 pound) versions of the armored cable locks in the US, though. It seems like the European market is absorbing most of the production of these locks; they are certainly not as readily available or popular stateside.

baxtefer

bolt cutters, hacksaw, angle grinder

take your pick

TheTyrant

I know the post is old, but whatever.

Kryptonite Series 2
1/4 inch was stuck in the lock and the rest snapped off. Here's what worked:
- 2 paper clips straightened and use a tool to make a ~1/16 inch 90 degree bend in both
- use a thin straight edge (i used a small nail file on my nailcutter) to align all the rotating lock rings (?) so that you can see straight down the lock.
- insert the paper clips: there should be enough room to wedge them between the broken key bits and wedge the broken bit out small bits at a time
- if the rotating lock rings are even slightly misaligned, re-adjust

After about 40 minutes (!) i got the bit out.

And now, i celebrate with a beer.

DX-MAN

Rhymes with "scrod-slam butter-truck".

Maybe.

KD5NRH

Universal master key:
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM835-5.html

chrisb71

Mmmmmmm ... butter truck ...