Modern Vespa

Found in storage - 4+ yrs - purchased for side car ( Vintage vespa with sidecar (**Now In Technicolor ! **) (Page 2) if more pics/background desired)
Have specific issue requesting broader forum help on - posting here.

Key fits but doesn't turn ignition.
Don't want to snap.
Have jiggled head while trying to turn key. No help.
Owner says previously worked fine.
No reason to suspect anything shady - other keys work on sidecar lock etc.

Thoughts?
Tricks?
Approach?

Much appreciated.
CM

Have you tried lock lubricant? Lock de-icer if it's cold?

Thanks JKJ

Nothing yet.
It was the strange nature of the feel - no movement at all - that made me want to take cautious approach.

Just in case this was a known thing with a known fix (searched but did not find anything matching).

Anyone else think differently?

One door lock was stuck on my pickup truck when I got it. The lock wouldn't budge at all. I tried everything -- lock lube, penetrating oil, heat gun,... I eventually took the lock out of the door so I could apply lube from the back side -- and didn't see any signs of corrosion or rust so I ruled that out. It just took patience, a little time for the oil to soak in, and much wiggling the key but it eventually came loose.

Take this away from this story: cut an extra key and use that, in case your only key breaks off in the lock!

Good luck!

I have had this problem with my old beetle once and I used penetrating oils and the thing that seemed to have done it I placed a key in the lock and gave it a few light taps with a mallet after soaking oil in the lock for awhile and that gave it the movement it needed to turn

A VBB doesn't have an ignition switch...

I thought this post was so funny. He bought a bodge and the ignition key doesn't work.

And he says he wants to build a electric vespa with a sidecar.

Best answer of the morning

Ginch - indeed - chuckled...

Ecto - plan is to cut a spar key - or 3 - soak and jiggle. It's my time honored favorite move anyway. Much appreciated.

I almost wonder how effective one of those vibrating back massaging things would do with the vibratory motor taped to the key and left to super jiggle the heck out of it

This is the first time I've ever heard anyone turning the key in one of these and expecting it to start like a car.
What's next? Fuel pump not working or missing seat belts???
You gotta crawl before you walk but it seems like you want to start by running a marathon. Good luck converting that into a electric scooter and sidecar.

Also if you keep all questions with your original thread more can understand what you're working with.

Good luck.

This is sad..

I assume they aren't expecting it to start like a car, but just more worried that it does not turn at all. I mean most modern scooters and motorbikes still have a starter button. I only say most because I am sure there is one or two that have that feature for no reason at all.

They call that a Polish Key around here.

The steering lock of my PV has a similar problem. I know the key fits, but it doesn't turn. The trick is to pull it back half a milimeter and then still the pins stick and need a lot of gentle wiggling.

Chuckled at the responses. No doubt I'll have some wild misses along the way - though this wasn't one of them. I will choose my words more carefully in future when firing a question in... Thanks Der Blechfahrer! This was just the type of subtltie I was looking for. I will try this when I pick up the bike tomorrow (after I cut a half dozen extra keys...)

Solved: Thanks for the input and help on this one.
Here are the steps I took to fix.

Issue: Bought bike and key would not turn in lock. Bike sat for 3-4 years. Could hear tumblers moving when key inserted - but felt like it was wrong key when trying to turn - no movement at all.

Fix:
Step 1A is to go get a few extra keys made. Thanks to JKJ Fz6 for this essential step!

1. Used pic tool to slide open key slot cover (see picture). Note: Slid pic tool to end of slot nearest front of scooter.
2. Inserted spray can tube (red in picture). Note: Slide tube in at end of slot closest to back of bike. When you think you are all the way in - jiggle and push and get it in further until you have bottomed out. It can go as deep as the key is long - so keep jiggling.
3. Once tube is fully seated in end, put paper towel or rag under lock. Its going to get messy.
4. Use Silicone or Teflon spray - NOT standard WD40 - locksmiths have the right spray - WD40 will attract dirt and cause more issues in future (according to lock smith experts I spoke with).
5. Spray. Spray. Spray. Flood the lock - make the liquid run out every where. What you are trying to do is get it to go out the back and in to the mechanism behind the lock. Look at this video to see what the lock looks like behind the cylinder - there is an actuation - this is what's sticking. Go to 5:11 of this video to see how far the key will turn, and whats happening at the end of the lock cylinder. 6. Now insert the key - you are going to have to turn it harder than you want to in a clockwise direction. If you can get it to move, don't try to turn it all the way - slow steps. Turn an 1/8", then back, then do it again and again until you work your way to being able to turn the key 90 degrees.
7. At 90 degrees, it is going to want to stop again - as the mechanism has a cam effect (see the video above again). So turn key back to 0, take it out, and spray spray spray. Get the tube all the way in there - and don't be shy.
8. Now do the same process to go from 90 degrees to 180 in small steps, turning it back after each slight push forward. Just keep working the key by turning it back and forth - and it will begin to slowly loosen. Spray again...

Note: if the youtube video link fails in future - search "vbb lock replacement" and go to 5:11 of the video so you can see what's happening inside as you are working the key.

Good luck - and make sure to have spare keys cut!
This worked for me with a VERY stiff lock that would not turn at all.


Slid the pick tool to the front of the slot

Slide the spray tube in until it is as deep as the length of the key - the issue is likely the mechanism at the back end of the cylinder

Work the key turning back and forth in small increments - achieving 90 degrees after many back and forth turns.

Glad you worked it out. It's a steering lock, not an ignition switch btw.

Yes - seems to have provided a few chuckles.
Did not think it was going to act as a starter - but was under the impression it had an on/kill function...
What can I say - youtube learning can only take you so far.



Thanks!