MattyO

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

*

Bikeophile

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!

dolface

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

misterherman

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?

Ira in Chi

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.

MattyO

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...

pitboss

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.

Ira in Chi

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 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.

Slartibartfast

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.

hangthedj85

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...

dustinlikewhat

cut down the sign pole.

JoeTown244GL

[2cents]
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. [/2cents]

Best of luck!

Judah

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.

King of Kadence

You need a cordless anglegrinder

SamHouston

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.

thechamp

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.

folder fanatic

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!

mcatano

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.

HereNT

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...

Mr. Shadow

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.

MattyO

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

deadly downtube

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

alchemist

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.

r-dub

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...

Holokai

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.
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