Stuck fork lock
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Stage I
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1
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From: Fort Collins
Stuck fork lock
I just bought my first Harley 2012 883 sportster last week. I absolutely love it. I'm a new rider so I,m still learning. I kind of live in a sketchy neighborhood so I make sure to lock my forks cause that is what I was told to do. Last Sunday locked it up went to ride it to work Monday morning and I couldn't get the forks unlocked .I've tried everything I'm pretty sure I need to replace the lock but is it true I have to take off the front forks to take the broke one out.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,550
Likes: 3,975
From: San Diego, CA
Doesn't the lock interfere with the steering stem, not the forks? You might have to drill out the lock tumbler to get it out. Maybe buy a disk lock instead of the cheap and chintzy little fork lock, they're pretty much useless as theft prevention.
John
John
Try whacking it with a rubber mallet while jiggling the key as someone gently wobbles the forks . If it does free itself , never use it again . I loved the old Harleys where you just stuck a padlock through two lugs on the frame and forks.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,550
Likes: 3,975
From: San Diego, CA
John
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 61
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From: SC
Move the handlebars left and right a little until it unlocks. Most motorcycles have a lock sweet spot that is not all the way turned to the stops.
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Joined: Sep 2018
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From: Kalifornia
Lol I ran into this the other day. Was afraid I was going to have to drill mine out too. Then I discovered the cable lock I use to lock my windshield on with, was preventing full travel. Time to buy a regular QD windshield lock.
For the OP, make sure nothing is obstructing the forks, preventing full lock turns.
For the OP, make sure nothing is obstructing the forks, preventing full lock turns.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
I just bought my first Harley 2012 883 sportster last week. I absolutely love it. I'm a new rider so I,m still learning. I kind of live in a sketchy neighborhood so I make sure to lock my forks cause that is what I was told to do. Last Sunday locked it up went to ride it to work Monday morning and I couldn't get the forks unlocked .I've tried everything I'm pretty sure I need to replace the lock but is it true I have to take off the front forks to take the broke one out.