Bikes are locked together using the lock, in my garage, but I haven't seen the key since Thursday, can't find the spare, if I have one. I can't remember the brand name, but I'm pretty sure it was a pretty decent one sold by On-one about a decade ago, 12/13mm long shackle currently around two top tubes, so fairly accessible.
Grinder? Hammer? G-clamp? Saws?
Think like scrote. Angle grinder with cutting disk.
Sit down. Cup o tea, think very hard where you last had the key or where you pot(s) of old / spare keys are.
Quickest way to find the keys is order an Angle Grinder online, the key will turn up 30s after its delivered!
What's the lock type and where are you?
Which after a bit of Google, looks suspiciously similar to the Rolson branded cheapies on Amazon.
"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BLRQXBL/"
Locks are cheap (ish)
Writing off 2 bikes is expensive.
Order an angle grinder off amazon, the keys will turn up 30s after you cut the lock off.
Can you rent angle grinders ?
Just ask your local bike thief to use their cordless Makita on it. 30 seconds max.
Or, check YouTube for how to pick the lock. It might be a really easy one. Check Lock Picking Lawyer for relevant videos.
I’d try a hacksaw first and then get the grinder out when I get tired.
Cordless angle grinder. The shackle will last 45 seconds tops.
As you just finish cutting you will remember where the key is.
Obviously you will want a new lock and the operation above will probably scare you into upping your security somehow into the bargain.
If you've got room to get it in there a scissor jack will crack it open.
Probably likely that tooled up stwer is local to you. Borrow a grinder.
Where in the world are you? Must be someone local with a grinder. If you are near Mansfield I'll do it for you.
Plain old hand powered hacksaw. Should take you ages. Think of it as a form of punishment.
In that time you can use it to remind yourself of how silly you've been so as to misplace the key and endeavour not to make the same mistake ever again.
Make sure you protect the bikes if you grind it off.
use it as an excuse to buy an angle grinder AND GOGGLES! it makes the job much easier if you can jam something in there like a large piece of wood and clamp the lock to it so it doesn't move. Make sure to keep the grinder to the side of you to limit where the bits are likely to directly hit if the disk breaks
Or ask a pal. I've cut two locks off for friends now when things have gone wrong. It really doesn't take long but it is the most scary tool I own. There are YouTube vids on how to use it safely
Plain old hand powered hacksaw
Isn't a bad idea really. If it's a crappy lock it will still take a while but not forever
Success!
Scissor jack from the MX5 had plenty of room to get in and it only took about eight turns on tension to pop it.
Is it me or is the key in the lock?
Lol!
kendonagasaki
Full Member
Is it me or is the key in the lock?
Not just you.
Is it me or is the key in the lock?
Yes.
Also clearly none of you have owned a shit D lock, I'd have just taken a hammer to the ****er.
Random key from "tin of random keys to try on the off chance it works" is in the lock, tried a few dozen, only a couple would even go in.
Brilliant
And that lock really does look a bit crap
Bolt cutters will get through that, if you have fairly strong arms. Less likely to damage the bikes.
I don’t know about angle grinders, I reckon you could get through that lock with a strongly worded email
12 or 13mm shackle is bolt croppable. Must be a really sh*t locl to pop it with a scissor Jack. Grinder would also have flown through that.
If you want a reasonably priced but decent ish lock then I’d recommend an OnGuard Brute. Over 16mm shackle won’t give up to bolt croppers or a scissor Jack. Sensibly prices for what it is. Grinder will go through any lock but needs 2 cuts on a shackle that thick so at least a couple of minutes.
Top job. Now put the jack back in the MX-5, go on, right now. 😉
Check the spare and wheelbrace while you're there 🙂
My bikes are locked together in the shed with one of these mothers. It weighs about 5 times as much as the combined weight of the bikes. You’ll not be making much of an impact on it with a scissor Jack or a set of bolt croppers. If I ever lose the key, then I suspect they’ll be destined to stay in there for ever 😂
A friend of mine had a couple of very expensive locks on his very expensive bikes.
Some scroats broke into his garage and set upon destroying the locks so they could steal the bikes. The locks did their job and stopped them but in the process the scroats damaged the bikes and we think in their temper purposely damaged them too.
They then got spooked and legged it.
He reported it to the insurance company they said your bikes are only covered for theft and not damage so they couldn't help him. Both frames were a write off and a couple of wheels. They even scratched the stanctions with the grinder.
In the end he said he would have been better off if they had stolen the bikes. The worst part was just being in a locked garage was enough security for the insurance company.
Great suggestion for the scissor jack, I would never have thought to use that. 👍
If I'd have posted earlier I would have asked you to film it but perhaps better to not publish how effective it is on YouTube
I bought a new york kryptonite chain lock.
Didn’t read the specs properly, ended up with a 6ft long chain that weighs more than the bike it’s securing.
Asked a mechanic mate if he could do anything, namely cut the ****er in half.
So he used a battery angle grinder. Took less than a minute to cut.
So now, instead of a lock that’s too heavy, i have 2 locks I don’t trust.
I get round it by doing what I’ve always done, I don’t leave my bike anywhere.
Please try this. Would love to know if it works.
They then got spooked and legged it.
He reported it to the insurance company they said your bikes are only covered for theft and not damage so they couldn’t help him. Both frames were a write off and a couple of wheels. They even scratched the stanctions with the grinder.
That’s awful. Do you know the name of the insurer?
So now, instead of a lock that’s too heavy, i have 2 locks I don’t trust
To be honest, I think if someone turns up with an angle grinder then all bets are off anyway, whatever the lock is.
I’m like you in that I don’t leave my bikes out of my sight, but given that most thieves are opportunists, rather than pro’s, just buy the biggest, meatiest ****-off lock you can to act as a deterrent for as long as possible
X2 for the OnGuard Brute, I don't own one but they are highly regarded and about half the price of the equivalent Kryptonite.
If I’d have posted earlier I would have asked you to film it but perhaps better to not publish how effective it is on YouTube
Why? Scroats already know what a good or bad lock looks like and how flimsy the latter are.
12 or 13mm shackle is bolt croppable
Yeah, but only with a 3 foot set of croppers. They do cut due to the pivoting action, but you need a fair bit of arm strength to do so and a small set will be nigh on impossible
Please try this. Would love to know if it works.
You could shim that lock in about three seconds.
I think it might have been one of William Gibson’s books where it’s suggested that a Volvo bottle jack will fit in the gap and prize it open, but you’ve neatly preemptively found your own similar solution. And I’m loving the idea that it’s an MX-5 jack! Sir, I like your style! 🎩
squirrelking
Free MemberX2 for the OnGuard Brute, I don’t own one but they are highly regarded and about half the price of the equivalent Kryptonite.
Aye, they are ridiculously good for the money. Not brilliant for outside use though, the lock isn't as corrosion resistant as it probably ought to be... But other'n that they're just a lot of metal for the money. And come with multiple keys for the OP
I reckon you could get through that lock with a strongly worded email
Ooh, cutting!
Not brilliant for outside use though, the lock isn’t as corrosion resistant as it probably ought to be…
Ah, good to know!
I just found my spare D lock key in a box of audio cables. So if you've got a similar box, could try looking there?
When browsing the middle of Lidl, I noticed they were selling battery angle grinders for £20.
On the subject of D-locks, came across this photo on the local stolen bikes FB page...
Amazed the lock held....
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52934800808_775cf8b7b4_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52934800808_775cf8b7b4_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2oDEG4s ]D-lock twist[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
