Has anyone had this happen?

[cubswin]

So my key on my 2006 Breva 1100 started to get difficult to remove after I turned it off. Then, a few weeks later the handlebars would stay locked even after I put the key in and turned it on. I'd just wiggle the handlebars a little bit and then they'd unlock.

Yep, I'm am idiot. I kept riding it thinking it was just an issue when I first turned it on. It wasn't. Unfortunately, when trying to take a right turn today, my handlebars locked and wouldn't turn. Thankfully I was only going a couple of miles an hour, but 500+ pounds on your leg is pretty uncomfortable.

Has anyone else ever had their steering column lock like that?

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[guzzisteve]

Wow, you are lucky. Never heard of the locks hanging up. Something to look at on older bikes.

Welcome to the Forum

[normzone]

My god, [cubswin], that's one hell of a reason to join the forum, and write your first post ....

So let me extend the throttle-cramped hand of welcome to you. Please let us know what you determine to be the root cause(s) and your fix.

[cubswin]

I feel incredibly lucky. I was leaving work downtown Chicago for a ride out to the burbs to meet some friends.

The dealer (where I bought it, but not a Guzzi dealer) thinks that the fork locking mechanism just  malfunctioned. They said they've seen it happen before, but never when someone is actually riding. Usually happens when it's parked and won't unlock at all. I'm an idiot for riding it when it had signs of an issue.

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[Bisbonian]

I've never had it happen that way.
I did have a problem with the key refusing to turn. I tried spraying WD-40 down the keyhole and sometimes that seemed to free it up.

Eventually I came across some DuPont teflon spray and sprayed some of that down the keyhole. I haven't had any problem since.

[cubswin]

My god, [cubswin], that's one hell of a reason to join the forum, and write your first post ....

So let me extend the throttle-cramped hand of welcome to you. Please let us know what you determine to be the root cause(s) and your fix.

And thank you for the warm welcome!

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[pete roper]

That's a weird one. There is an indexing mechanism within the switch designed to prevent exactly that. Does the key swivel freely with no indexation at the stop points? If so one has to think the indexation mechanism is kaput!

Pete

[cubswin]

I dont think that the key was swiveling freely, but it had a hard time getting to the point where it would lock the forks. Then, when I would turn it on, the forks would stay locked and I'd have to shake the handlebars back and forth until they'd making a clicking sound and unlock.

One of the times when I was shaking them a little thin, round piece of metal came out of the front (a little smaller than a dime with Moto Guzzi stamped on it). I sheered it off. I thought "problem solved." I'm an idiot.

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[rodekyll]

Never heard of that, and glad you survived it!

Did you buy the bike new?  Where?

[Tom H]

Ummm....I trying to say this nicely. Don't ride it until the lock is fixed. Nobody has mentioned this so far.

I have never worked on the fork lock on any of my bikes. From what I understand, it's a pin that goes into a hole or against a stop on the fork.

If yours is not working correctly, especially since a part has come out, it "MAY" jam at a turn where your against the fork stop, like you have already had. BUT..... it "MAY" be able to wedge itself in any position so that you can not steer.

I wish I had an answer on how to fix it. Maybe one will come along shortly. If you are not able to fix the problem, take it to a shop that knows a bit about Guzzi and have them fix it.

If you want to have a go at it, maybe you can find manual for it here:
http://thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_misc.html

Be safe, get it fixed before you ride it again!


Tom

[cubswin]

Never heard of that, and glad you survived it!

Did you buy the bike new?  Where?

Thanks. 2006, bought about a month ago from a Triumph/Ducati dealer in Chicago.

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[cubswin]

Ummm....I trying to say this nicely. Don't ride it until the lock is fixed. Nobody has mentioned this so far.

I have never worked on the fork lock on any of my bikes. From what I understand, it's a pin that goes into a hole or against a stop on the fork.

If yours is not working correctly, especially since a part has come out, it "MAY" jam at a turn where your against the fork stop, like you have already had. BUT..... it "MAY" be able to wedge itself in any position so that you can not steer.

I wish I had an answer on how to fix it. Maybe one will come along shortly. If you are not able to fix the problem, take it to a shop that knows a bit about Guzzi and have them fix it.

If you want to have a go at it, maybe you can find manual for it here:
http://thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_misc.html

Be safe, get it fixed before you ride it again!


Tom

Thanks Tom. I had it towed to the place where I bought it (Triumph/Ducati/vintage BMW dealer in Chicago). If they can't fix it (and I trust them to tell me that), they'll tow it to an actual Moto Guzzi dealer in the suburbs. They've serviced Guzzis before, but typical maintenance stuff only I think. I'm not even pushing it until it gets a clean bill of health.

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[Scott of the Sahara]

I have an '08 Norge that I bought new in '010. I have NEVER locked the forks. I do not even know how to do that.

[cubswin]

I have an '08 Norge that I bought new in '010. I have NEVER locked the forks. I do not even know how to do that.

At least on my Breva, all you have to do is twist the key further counterclockwise. First click is off. First click past off locks the forks. Second click locks forks with the lights on.

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[rodekyll]

Thanks. 2006, bought about a month ago from a Triumph/Ducati dealer in Chicago.

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I don't think there is a "natural" way this failure can happen.  I'd be curious about the bike's history.  I think someone has been tinkering with stuff in that area.  Has it ever been stolen or impounded?

[malik]

I've never liked using the fork locks in the ignition - I get concerned when the key gets harder to turn & stop doing it again - I have a vague memory way back in the mists of time that the fork lock on one or two of my bikes may have seized & caused problems. Of course, NOT using it at all encourages the mechanism to gum up with disuse.

Note that when the ignition failed on the V7C, there wasn't a spare ignition in the country, but there were lock sets - and the price of the lock set wasn't much more than the ignition alone, with the added advantage of one key fits all. So if you have problems getting a new switch, ask about a lock set.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

[Pisano]

Just yesterday i had difficulty  unlocking the griso. After i managed to unlock it and turn the bars a bit i heard a loud click sound ????

 I then turned a few times again without issue and also locks fine now. I dont know.. Makes me nervous.

[cubswin]

I don't think there is a "natural" way this failure can happen.  I'd be curious about the bike's history.  I think someone has been tinkering with stuff in that area.  Has it ever been stolen or impounded?

Not to my knowledge. If memory serves me correctly,  it was a one owner bike taken in on trade. Older gentleman wanted something smaller and lighter.

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[cubswin]

Just yesterday i had difficulty  unlocking the griso. After i managed to unlock it and turn the bars a bit i heard a loud click sound ????

 I then turned a few times again without issue and also locks fine now. I dont know.. Makes me nervous.

I can't stress this enough...TAKE IT IN! That's exactly how my Breva started acting up. The clicks got to the point where the folks were stuck and I had to wiggle them pretty hard to unlock them.

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[cubswin]

I've never liked using the fork locks in the ignition - I get concerned when the key gets harder to turn & stop doing it again - I have a vague memory way back in the mists of time that the fork lock on one or two of my bikes may have seized & caused problems. Of course, NOT using it at all encourages the mechanism to gum up with disuse.

Note that when the ignition failed on the V7C, there wasn't a spare ignition in the country, but there were lock sets - and the price of the lock set wasn't much more than the ignition alone, with the added advantage of one key fits all. So if you have problems getting a new switch, ask about a lock set.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Thanks and will do.

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[Chesterfield]

I feel incredibly lucky. I'm an idiot for riding it when it had signs of an issue.

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You are thankfully and yes.

[cubswin]

So the dealer confirmed that the fork locking mechanism engaged while I was riding it. Several parts that need to be replaced to make it rideable again, including the lock set, fork plate, rear brake lever, etc. They also included lots of parts that just had cosmetic damage (like the engine guard, foot pegs, gas tank, etc.).  I asked them to separate the parts and labor into those two categories.

Waiting on the final tally now as I hadn't planned on running it through insurance. The initial estimate with all the cosmetic parts was more than what the bike is worth ($5k+). Debating on putting it through as a claim...guess it depends on the final tally.

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[organfixsing]

I don't know if I am on the right trac, but, you should never lubricate locks with an oil (WD40 etc) because they hold dust and clog up. The only lubricant you should use is graphite powder. This was an earlier reccomendation but now you could use a teflon spray which is much cleaner, say a 3-in-one tefln spray. There is another which I seem to access on OZ and that is 'Lockeze' which is a graphite spray in a evaporative carrier liquid.
Cheers
Brian

[pete roper]

I have to ask? Have you any idea, or even given a thought to how the steering lock mechanism works?

Pete

[frans belgium]

Only a few days ago, I had problems with the key of my B11.  Had to wiggle the bars to get it to the ignition position (though it was NOT in lock position).
Been riding Breva for more than 6 years without any issues, so I thought: Oh well.... 
After reading this, I'm getting anxious 
Will definitely spray some graphite in the key hole !

[cubswin]

I have to ask? Have you any idea, or even given a thought to how the steering lock mechanism works?

Pete

If I understand it correctly, it's a pin that drops down in a hole in the fork when engaged. They haven't taken it completely apart yet, but they could see things that are bent and suspect the pin may have sheered off somehow and dropped down. They twisted the handlebars back and forth and you could hear that it was notchy.

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[bad Chad]

Fork plate and rear brake lever?   What would any of that have to do with the fork lock?  If you don't have a warranty on it, call Rosefarm Classics in Woodstock ask if they can look at it, they Will know how to fix it!

[guzzisteve]

OR you could call MG cycle and get a new assembly.

Part # GU05782530-- $245 or thereabouts     

[bad Chad]

Fork plate and rear brake lever?   What would any of that have to do with the fork lock?  If you don't have a warranty on it, call Rosefarm Classics in Woodstock ask if they can look at it, they Will know how to fix it!

[guzzisteve]

If you are in Chicago you could call Joe the Guzzi Doctor, he knows the bike lock system.