Seat lock seized - ideas?

[clanadam]

Need to get my seat off my 2004 FZ6 but the lock seems to been totally seized up (winter crud no doubt). It's had a good spray with WD40 but the key refuses to turn at all (yes it's the correct key - it's worked in the past!).


Any ideas how to get the seat off before snapping my key?

[mr self destruct]

Try spraying some carb & brake cleaner in there, that tends to displace crud better than anything else.
It worked for me a few years ago anyway, but once you get it working you've got to oil it up again.

[Grahamm]

Try using a spare key (or the Red one), your regular one may have just got worn through use and not be engaging with the tumblers correctly.

[clanadam]

Tried brake cleaner, more WD40, spare key, red key - no joy 


The keys seem to go into the lock ok but it just won't turn at all. Hammer and screwdriver next!

[robby boy]

It could be the latch under the seat that has seized, when I bought mine it was very rusty, I placed a bit of tin under it to stop the crap getting onto it, is it possible to remove the lock (bit the key goes into) without damaging it and pulling the cable with a pliers, to wet and cold here to go to the shed and have a look at mine, but may have time tomorrow and report back.

[Yammi]

I had exactly the same problem last winter.

you need to get under the bike. As Ive got Scorpion exhaust it's real easy to get at the catch that is holding the seat in place. You need to use a long thin screwdriver to push / slide the mechanism to release the seat.

So anybody that rides in damp wet conditions is going to suffer this problem as the seat lock mechanism is exposed when you install aftermarket exhaust cans and is going to seize, so it's important to give this area some regular attention .

Hope this helps.

[clanadam]

Sounds perfect thanks m8 I'll give that a go.

[clanadam]

All sorted - managed to free the catch at the rear of the bike so with a bit of a clean and oiling the lock is now working fine. New hotgrips now fitted which will be tested to the max this coming week - it's getting colder!

[expatmanxman]

Just sorted the same problem using Yammis technique so thanks for that, had visions of having to strip the rear end of the bike but I have Remus pipes and could get the screwdriver up between them to release the catch.