Frozen lock
#1
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From: dallas
Bikes: busted trek510, hotrock mt bike, iro angus
Frozen lock
I usually lock my bike at school with a Kryptonite NY Lock
This one:
(https://www.kryptonitelock.com/inetis...s_item&pgrp=20)
Anyways, I biked to class today after some freezing rain last night. It snowed while I was in class, and when I came out, my lock was frozen shut. I can fit the key in, and turn it 90 degrees, I can't get it to turn the last bit (unlocking part). I torqued it pretty good but I don't want to end up with half a key in my lock.
Any suggestions? I live in Texas so this is a pretty rare thing
This one:
(https://www.kryptonitelock.com/inetis...s_item&pgrp=20)
Anyways, I biked to class today after some freezing rain last night. It snowed while I was in class, and when I came out, my lock was frozen shut. I can fit the key in, and turn it 90 degrees, I can't get it to turn the last bit (unlocking part). I torqued it pretty good but I don't want to end up with half a key in my lock.
Any suggestions? I live in Texas so this is a pretty rare thing
#4
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,744
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From: Van BC
My Kryptonite lock did the same 90-degree thing due to dirt, not freezing. Torque will not help. Basically a bit of mechanism that ought to be sliding somewhere, isn't, because it has something stuck to it. I fixed this problem by flushing the keyhole out with about half a can of WD-40 and trying it 500 times. It was a serious pain in the ass. In your case it's probably ice---try heating the key with a lighter, using lock de-icer or submerging the whole thing in a bucket of hot water. Persistence will probably pay off.
Also I noticed that my lock is more cooperative when the key hole is facing downward, and a "bump" seemed to help---knock the lock a bunch against the bike rack.
Also I noticed that my lock is more cooperative when the key hole is facing downward, and a "bump" seemed to help---knock the lock a bunch against the bike rack.
#5
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From: dallas
Bikes: busted trek510, hotrock mt bike, iro angus
Originally Posted by mander
My Kryptonite lock did the same 90-degree thing due to dirt, not freezing. Torque will not help. Basically a bit of mechanism that ought to be sliding somewhere, isn't, because it has something stuck to it. I fixed this problem by flushing the keyhole out with about half a can of WD-40 and trying it 500 times. It was a serious pain in the ass. In your case it's probably ice---try heating the key with a lighter, using lock de-icer or submerging the whole thing in a bucket of hot water. Persistence will probably pay off.
Also I noticed that my lock is more cooperative when the key hole is facing downward, and a "bump" seemed to help---knock the lock a bunch against the bike rack.
Also I noticed that my lock is more cooperative when the key hole is facing downward, and a "bump" seemed to help---knock the lock a bunch against the bike rack.
#7
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Toronto
Bikes: spicer fixie, Haro BMX, cyclops track, Soma Double Cross, KHS Flite 100
I find it so utterly disturbing and scary that you had freezing rain last night in Dallas, and we had 14 degree celsius weather last night in Toronto. So messed up....
#8
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From: Van BC
^^ Just a tip, if you do wind up using WD40, make sure you get it out afterwards with some degreaser or even dish soap and water; then lube the lock properly with graphite (available in the lock section of a good hardware store, or a locksmith's). Otherwise dirt will stick in the lock and **** it up again down the road.
#9
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From: dallas
Bikes: busted trek510, hotrock mt bike, iro angus
Originally Posted by mander
^^ Just a tip, if you do wind up using WD40, make sure you get it out afterwards with some degreaser or even dish soap and water; then lube the lock properly with graphite (available in the lock section of a good hardware store, or a locksmith's). Otherwise dirt will stick in the lock and **** it up again down the road.
#10
meat popsicle
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: Gitane, Frienze, Kilo, Masi, Fuji, Playdate
this happened pretty frequently back at school. the bike and lock lived indoors, so when they went out and got locked up, everything would thaw, then freeze around it. i flushed my lock out really well, and made sure it was cold and dry. it helps if there's a place outside to keep the lock (a long ride with a cold peice of chain really chills your body though). when locking, put the opening facing down. stretch a little bit of old tubing around it for slushy times, or find some litter (mcdonald's cup) and wrap it up. duct tape too.
#11
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From: Van BC
Originally Posted by matthavener
Good to know. I covered the ends that go inside the lock with Phil grease because they were rusting so badly I couldn't open my lock without beating it. That shouldn't affect the internal locking mechanism though, right?
#13
Originally Posted by Shiznaz
I find it so utterly disturbing and scary that you had freezing rain last night in Dallas, and we had 14 degree celsius weather last night in Toronto. So messed up....
#19
crotchety young dude
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: SF, CA
Bikes: IRO Angus; Casati Gold Line; Redline 925; '72 Schwinn Olympic Paramount
Sometime's I'm really glad I have a penis.
#20
Thread Starter
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From: dallas
Bikes: busted trek510, hotrock mt bike, iro angus
Luckily it was really close to the school. I poured a cup of warm water on it and it opened instantly. I'm letting it dry out now, but I'm afraid to lock it again :S
Never heard of it
Originally Posted by barba
Maybe it is rare around Texas way, but you can buy a tube of lock de-icer for cheap around here.
#22
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From: Van BC
Matthavener, people in cold climates have to de-ice their car locks every morning and afternoon in winter. The warm water trick will almost always work. DO NOT use piss, unless you like touching your own piss.
#24
Originally Posted by Shiznaz
I find it so utterly disturbing and scary that you had freezing rain last night in Dallas, and we had 14 degree celsius weather last night in Toronto. So messed up....
#25
a.k.a. ace
Joined: May 2006
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From: Timonium, MD
Bikes: Dahon Jetstream XP; Dahon Boardwalk (fixed)




