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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: enaef on March 24, 2020, 02:15:15 AM

Title: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: enaef on March 24, 2020, 02:15:15 AM
I started to ride my "new" demo bike yesterday.

To engage the steering lock, the manual says:
1. Turn the handlebar all the way to the left.
2. With the key in the OFF position, push the key down and turn the key counter-clockwise.

I have some troubles to engage it.
I cannot push the key down; whether the key nor the part which receives the key move down.
I'm not able to engage the steering lock when I turn the handlebar all the way to the left. I have to find the exact position near the left 'end-position' until I can engage the lock.

The first time I needet some minutes to figure it out.
Sometime I even need to find the right position of the handlebar to unlock it.
I'm not quite sure, but I have the feeling, that the correct position of the handlebar to engage is not always the same but changes.

For those of you who own an SR/F: What do you think about it?

Thanks Ernst
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: stevenh on March 24, 2020, 03:24:06 AM
I've only used it a few times, but when I did, it seemed to behave predictably.  I normally don't use it, so my experience is probably limited to a dozen times or so in the year I've owned the bike.  It locks pretty close to the stop when turning left.

Steve
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: Hans2183 on March 24, 2020, 12:19:23 PM
I don't remember having to push the key down. You can see on the top of the frame there is a receptacle for the steering lock. Just make sure to align that and engage it. Can be a bit misaligned (as with most steering locks). The only version I had so far that always seems to be aligned is the electrical one on my keyless BMW R1200 GS.
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: Ooook on March 24, 2020, 07:23:36 PM
"Push the key down" just means "insert the key".  ;)

It never takes me more than a few seconds to engage the steering lock. I turn the key directly to the steering lock position when I park the SR/F (with the handlebar to the left), and sometimes it needs a gentle right-left handlebar movement to remove the key.
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: enaef on March 26, 2020, 05:18:03 AM
"Push the key down" just means "insert the key".  ;)

Really?  ::)
The manual says this:
To engage the steering lock:
1. Turn the handlebar all the way to the left.
2. With the key in the OFF position, push the key down and turn
the key counter-clockwise.
3. Remove the key.


"With the key in the OFF position, push the key down ..." --> When the key should be in the OFF position for me that sounds very much like the key is already  inserted before pushing it down. This is also supported by the picture in my opinion and by the Germen version of the manual.

However, meanwhile I'm also able to do it in a reasonable time ...
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: Crissa on March 26, 2020, 07:25:33 AM
You can remove the key in the 'off' position as well as the 'lock' position.  You have to us the key in further than just the neutral position to go from the 'off' to the 'lock' position.

...This is pretty standard across motorcycles for about forty years o-o

-Crissa
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: enaef on March 26, 2020, 02:05:56 PM
Thanks Crissa

What do you exactly mean with "us the key in further than just the neutral position".
I would expect, that the cylinder has to be "moved in" (vertically) before further turning it to the 'lock' position.
Probably like in this video at exactly position 0:30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzc5zkxs5Ac&t=30s

In my SR/F the cylinder cannot be vertically moved anywhere (in any position).
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: Crissa on March 26, 2020, 02:24:25 PM
If with the key in, it doesn't bounce on a spring, the lock is broken.

-Crissa
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: enaef on March 26, 2020, 02:45:48 PM
Ok, that's what I thought could be.

Now, it does not bounce but I am able to engage the steering lock nonetheless.
Is there a danger that it suddenly brakes totally so that I cannot use the bike until repaired?

My mechanical understanding of such things is - let's say - veeeery limited ....  :-\
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: remmie on March 26, 2020, 03:24:47 PM
With my SR/F i also do NOT have to push the key down to engage the steering lock.

With the key in the off position I can just turn it counter clock wise and the key goes to the steering lock position. I do have to wiggle the handlebars a bit from the leftmost position as well to be able to engage the lock, just as the OP.

The key has no spring action whatsoever, so it is just an oversight in the manual. I remember from my 2014 and 2018 SR that they did have a spring action on the key to engage the steering lock so it must have been copied from SR manual to SR/F manual not taking into account the different lock mechanisms. an oversight that is very common when writing manuals :)

Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: enaef on March 26, 2020, 04:01:01 PM
remmie, you made my day ...  ;D

So everything is as it should be ...  :)
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: Doug S on March 26, 2020, 08:51:32 PM
On my 2014 SR, I often have to pull the handlebar hard over to the left to make sure things line up well enough to allow the lock to engage. Even just the resilience of the tire rubber on the pavement can cause the handlebar to spring away from full left that the lock won't engage. Just hold it over when you engage the steering lock.
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: Tom_Ruyter on March 27, 2020, 10:23:54 PM
remmie's right on this, I know some steering locks need to be pushed down, but the SR/F isn't one of them.

Key in, turn handle bars to left, turn key anti-clockwise NOT pushing down, litle wiggle to line it all up until the key clicks round, key out.

Job done.
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: enaef on March 27, 2020, 11:52:03 PM
Meanwhile I've no problem anymore to engage the lock at once.

The fact that the 'push the key down' - part in the manual probably was an oversight cleared things ...

Thank you all  :)!
Very helpful this forum - even with such small problems ...
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: Crissa on March 28, 2020, 12:14:11 AM
Well, the push down is definitely true of the none SR/F models, which is where the confusion stems from.  And it's been basically standard on bikes for quite some time!

-Crissa
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: enaef on March 28, 2020, 02:03:24 AM
I looked into the manual of the SR/S and it still speaks of pushing down the key.

http://media.zeromotorcycles.com/resources/owners-manuals/2020/2020-Zero-Owners-Manual-SRS.pdf
Section 4.8

I'd bet it's the same for SR/F and SR/S regarding not needed to push down.
Title: Re: SR/F Steering lock - question
Post by: Curt on March 29, 2020, 03:02:16 AM
16FX requires pushing down.