How do you remove the steering lock?

[SteveW]

Mine has never worked, the key only wants to go in about half way.

Just wondered if i can remove it and strip it down to clean.

CB550 K0.

[hairygit]

Is it mounted on the bottom yoke or the headstock?

[SteveW]

Bottom yoke

[Bryanj]

The key has to go all the way in and turn to remove the lock whichever type and you have to remove either the black cover if on lower yoke or rivet and washer if on the headstock. If on lower yoke there should be a number on it that needs to be same as key, obviously. If on headstaock you cant get keys as its a Nieman lock so you have to drill it out and fit new, which does not come with the spring so make sure you don't damage the old one and keep it

[SteveW]

I have removed the black plastic cover, after a lot of wiggling I can get the key to go all the way in but it wont turn.

Maybe the locks have been changed at some point but my key fits, the ignition, gas cap and the seat lock.

[Luke87]

I had a similar problem when I stripped my bottom yoke down to paint it.
I was convinced that the ignition key was the wrong key for the steering lock. Like yours it only went in half way. But with a squirt of penetrating lube and a decent wiggle the key went in and freed off the mechanism. As far as I can remember you need to be able to turn the lock in order to remove it.

[sprinta]

Have you checked that the key number is the same as the lock Number?

You should be able to see the number on the face. If you can't see it easily use a digital camera in close up mode and take a photo and then load it onto a pc where you can enlarge it more to read the number. With a matching key after fully inserting the key push in and turn it anticlockwise the lock should then turn and drop out.

[SteveW]

I couldn't see a number on the lock but i'll try taking a pic with a camera, thanks.

[tom400f]

http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,4947.0.html