BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

If any of you has purchased and installed the BMW system cases yourselves, and is carrying around two keys all the time, this link (http://www.pbase.com/rodneff/keying_bmw_locks) should help. I have not tried it yet, but I'll fill a success/fail report when I do. I didn't realize this was a DIY job. Of course, the dealership didn't mention it...

Peter

*edit* - searched after post, found it has been discussed before (like pretty much everything else), decided to leave it for the other nobs like me

I used this exact same website when I rekeyed by BMW system case for my old F650GS - it works like a champ and is good to go. When I finished, I didn't have the full six pins holding the thing shut, but the three or four that remained were good enough to get the ignition key matched to the topcase key and still provide some measure of security.

Learn from my mistake: rekey BEFORE you put the lock cylinders as opposed to changing your mind after you've installed them. Getting the cylinders out once installed was a bear, and I only managed to get one of the two out to rekey.

Hindsight is indeed 20/20. Looks like I'll be meeting Mr. Bear.

If you do a little more searching out in the WWW try finding the write up by Jim Von Baden, it too is quite helpful. I haven't rekeyed mine yet. I bought them used from a guy here on the board, fitted them to the bike once, popped them off and they've been sitting on a shelf since, I haven't had time for anything more than day rides so I don't need them, but i got them if need ever arises

Mollygrubber wrote:If any of you has purchased and installed the BMW system cases yourselves, and is carrying around two keys all the time, this link (http://www.pbase.com/rodneff/keying_bmw_locks) should help. I have not tried it yet, but I'll fill a success/fail report when I do. I didn't realize this was a DIY job. Of course, the dealership didn't mention it...

Peter

*edit* - searched after post, found it has been discussed before (like pretty much everything else), decided to leave it for the other nobs like me

This is great timing: I ordered cases and locks Monday, and they're en route. Thanks much for the link.

Received and installed the system cases and locks this morning. Re-keying took about 30 minutes. Chicago BMW included directions and a 20-percent discount.

I have extra wafers if anybody needs them.

I may take you up on that Bill, if I ever get around to doing mine...

As an addendum to this, I was talking to the service guy at my dealer, he's done hundreds of these.

He says trying to pry the lock cylinder cap off with a small screwdriver etc. is the slow way (and painful if you slip and drive the blade under your fingernail -don't ask).

He puts the lock cylinder assembly in a vise and taps the barrel free, says it works a treat.

Just watch you don't lose the little retaining springs from under the cap...

FYI

I've done this recently and have 4 #1's if anyone needs them, would like to exhange for #2's or #3's. Try and keep the answers clean :-)

Dave

Just curious - my bags came with my bike brand new due to the BMW promotion in place, and therefore have already been keyed to match my bike key. If I decide to sell the cases at a later date without selling the bike - how would that work? I'm not going to give my bike key, obviously.

You could probably get a new pair of keys from the dealership and have your bags' lock cores re-shimmed to match; they must have spares with every re-keying they do, I'd guess.

TAL2GK wrote:Just curious - my bags came with my bike brand new due to the BMW promotion in place, and therefore have already been keyed to match my bike key. If I decide to sell the cases at a later date without selling the bike - how would that work? I'm not going to give my bike key, obviously.

I suppose you could use your key to remove the cores for the person who purchases the bags before you sell them. Or, give the purchaser the plastic emergency key after poping out the ews chip and increase your price enough to cover the cost of a new key.

I bought my bags from a former owner on this board and he did not include a key. The seller had already traded his bike to a dealer in NC so I called the dealership and was greeted by less than southern hospitality when I asked for a key code to get a new key. I believe the guys quote was "those bags are useless to you". Fortunately, my selling dealer was cool and told me if I could get the VIN from the PO he could get me a key. The PO hooked me up with the VIN and the dealer was able to get me a key for the bags. I understand from internet intel that this is pretty much a no-no according to BMW protocol. And finally, no I have not rekeyed my bags yet. I fitted them to the bike twice and they now reside on a shelf in my garage, but I got them if I need them

Good to know - thanks guys.

I'm not planning on selling them anytime soon - but my experience with selling bikes is that farkles rarely make a difference in the sale. With that being the case, and my history of holding on to a bike for 10 years ... I just wanted to make sure I had options of selling the bike separately from the cases if I needed to in 2019.

I think I'm going to enjoy the increased versatility I'm gaining on the bike with bags. I've tested it, and yes (as you all probably know) they WILL hold a full face helmet ... even an XL from Shark or HJC.

I tend to leave mine on pretty much all the time. The number of times I need them spontaneously makes it logical for me, at least.

No lane splitting in Canada, so that's not an issue ( ). They weigh next to nothing, I don't even know they're on the bike, and they're so damn useful...

I've actually never ridden the bike without them. I consider them essential to the bike. When I stop places and want to look semi-normal (as normal as I can) - my Roadcrafter (short and stout special model) goes in one, and my Concept helmet in the other. On the way to work - briefcase is carried in the left side one, and usually my FreedomAir cushion resides in the other one in case I suddenly decide I need a 300 mile ride home (hasn't happened - but there is always hope..)

And I consider them a safety item. A friend was riding his K1100RS in Mexico when he was T-boned by a woman from NJ driving a Studebaker (I'm not making this up..) He ended up minus one leg. His comment was - if he'd had his bags on he probably would still have that leg. The odds improve even more with a boxer-twin since there is a nice lump sticking out ahead of your leg, and with the bags on, one behind it.

Only downside to having them on is.... ummm.... can't actually think of one, so they stay on the bike.