Fred H.
Well-known member
Here is the photo gallery with the blow by blow photo pictorial of changing the cylinder and re-keying the lock. Hope this helps someone in the future.
https://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/helmetlocks
Well, I really wanted my new Helmet Guardian locks to use the same key as the bike. But the problem is that the key-way in the lock cylinder is cut differently so you can't even insert the Yamaha FJR key into the lock. There is no way to re-key it without first replacing the cylinder with one that has the proper key-way.
My first stop was at the local locksmith, where he confirmed my suspicions that he didn't have a cylinder that would fit the lock and had no idea where to get one from as it is not an industry standard lock.
So then I marched off the Yamaha dealer. For fun, I went around the showroom sticking my FJR key in all the helmet locks on bikes on the showroom floor. The key goes into the VStar 1100 helmet locks perfectly, so I know this lock can be made to work. A quick check at the parts counter reveals that the VStar 1100 helmet locks can be ordered for about $33 each. Part number is 26H-21-308-00-00. So this is at least one solution for those of you looking for helmet locks that will match your FJR key.
I wasn't ready to plunk down another $60 for more locks just after I spent $50 on the Helmet Guardian, so I went over to a motorcycle repair shop that has some old bike carcasses out back. In a matter of minutes I found an old bike that had a helmet lock on it that my FJR key would go into (I think it once was a Honda, but I am not certain). The guy was real nice and let me have the lock for free, so I brought it home, extracted the cylinder, and installed it in my Helmet Guardian lock. I had to swap the slides around a bit and file on a couple of them so it would match my key, but in about 15 minutes I now have a helmet lock that works with my FJR key. I will have to go to a motorcycle junk yard this weekend and forage for another lock to do the other side, but I suspect it won't be hard to find one. They are pretty common on older bikes and seem to all share similar inerds.
https://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/helmetlocks
Well, I really wanted my new Helmet Guardian locks to use the same key as the bike. But the problem is that the key-way in the lock cylinder is cut differently so you can't even insert the Yamaha FJR key into the lock. There is no way to re-key it without first replacing the cylinder with one that has the proper key-way.
My first stop was at the local locksmith, where he confirmed my suspicions that he didn't have a cylinder that would fit the lock and had no idea where to get one from as it is not an industry standard lock.
So then I marched off the Yamaha dealer. For fun, I went around the showroom sticking my FJR key in all the helmet locks on bikes on the showroom floor. The key goes into the VStar 1100 helmet locks perfectly, so I know this lock can be made to work. A quick check at the parts counter reveals that the VStar 1100 helmet locks can be ordered for about $33 each. Part number is 26H-21-308-00-00. So this is at least one solution for those of you looking for helmet locks that will match your FJR key.
I wasn't ready to plunk down another $60 for more locks just after I spent $50 on the Helmet Guardian, so I went over to a motorcycle repair shop that has some old bike carcasses out back. In a matter of minutes I found an old bike that had a helmet lock on it that my FJR key would go into (I think it once was a Honda, but I am not certain). The guy was real nice and let me have the lock for free, so I brought it home, extracted the cylinder, and installed it in my Helmet Guardian lock. I had to swap the slides around a bit and file on a couple of them so it would match my key, but in about 15 minutes I now have a helmet lock that works with my FJR key. I will have to go to a motorcycle junk yard this weekend and forage for another lock to do the other side, but I suspect it won't be hard to find one. They are pretty common on older bikes and seem to all share similar inerds.
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