[Griffi]

I'm posting this here because I fear I will be stuck with a DIY project. I bought cases off ebay. The seller said they are usable as is, even though he had no key. I received them and realized that without a key, you can't even mount them on the bike. I have searched around, called a dealer (I'm 2.5 hrs drive away from nearest), googled, went to a locksmith. About the only solution appears to be try to drill the cylinders out at great risk to the whole thing. Any suggestions?

 

[drDave]

Mail the cases to the dealer. if its a BMW case they should be able to but in a cylinder to match your bike key.

 

[Dave]

If you paid with paypal open a dispute saying they weren't as advertised and get a refund. If the seller is honest he should at least pay towards the cost incurred.

Can you get the locks out? (not sure if you need a key for this). I have some instructions for refitting the lock to a new key if you want to have a go. Send me an email address and I'll send the instructions. I accept no responsibility for them as I found them on fleabay a few years ago for £1.

 

[Griffi]

To the Daves: Thanks so much for your replies. I contacted my dealer and he said without the VIN he cannot get a key. Only way to get the cylinders out is to disassemble the case and hope to get it back together correctly or drill them out. Neither service is provided as the risk to destroy the cases is not worth it. I'm hoping the seller will give me a refund...

 

[drDave]

All is not lost yet! You can totally disassemble the case from the hinges underneath. Use a torx bit, and you can open them from below.

 

[Griffi]

Thanks for the encouragement DrDave! If it were only torx screws, I'd be a bit more optimistic. There are some rivets too... If I can't get satisfaction from the seller, I may do a DIY on here...

 

[drDave]

Griffi, that's not a big deal. You can always drill out the rivets and replace them with nylon locknuts. The question would be whether once the cases are open on the bottom, you can open the case or trigger the lock to open.

 

[Griffi]

Thanks for the input. That is my concern--just because you get down to the lock doesn't mean the cylinders will magically eject.

 

[drDave]

From some other listserves, your other two options are for you or a locksmith to drill out the cylinder and then have BMW put a new one in, or to bring it in to the BMW dealer to see if any of their junk key collection might fit. . .there are apparently not that many combinations. If you got the bags cheaply enough, you'll probably still come out way ahead of purchasing them new.

 

[yonderbob]

probably a stupid question, but hey... it's me! You DID push down on the release button? and the button IS in the locked position?

Bob

 

[Griffi]

I push down on the button and the cases will open. However, the handles will not move and the mounting tab will not retract so there is no way to mount the case to the bike. Unless I'm doing something wrong, I think I'm stuck.

 

[drDave]

If the cases will open, that's most of the battle. If you bring the cases to the dealer, they can put in a new cylinder that will allow you to release the levers all the way and mount them to the bike (assuming the cases and the bike have mounting points. . .

 

[Griffi]

OK, I took a chance and successfully drilled out both cylinders. I have ordered new ones keyed to my bike and just need to install them.

 

[Clem]

e-bay cases

That's great news Griffi. All's well that ends well, Eh? Good Luck.

 

[Griffi]

Got the locks installed and they work perfectly!

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

congrats!

a little OT, but with the GIVI cases, new locksets are available from twisted throttle.

I have GIVI sidecases and topbox, bought the replacement locksets ($30 something for 3) and all is good. Easy-peasy to replace.
John

 

[Dave]

Good job. Did you manage to get any response from the seller? I hope he contributed to your costs.

 

[Hoshiko]

good job, now go out and enjoy grocery shopping.

 

[Griffi]

Good job. Did you manage to get any response from the seller? I hope he contributed to your costs.

Actually he was quite reasonable about it and in the end, although they are scratched up it turned out to be a great deal.