The Hodaka Club Forum

Has anyone had any luck getting a broken key out of an ignition switch ? I tried everything I could think of today with no luck.

Let me know Ty what you find I have about twenty or more like that.
Paul

I would drill 2 small holes on either side of the broken key (in the center of the key) and twist the keyswitch back to release the key with small needle nose pliers.

I like that idea. Maybe small snap ring pliers in place of needle nose?

Sorry I didn't mention the broke key and switch have to be saved. I figured it out today, It was way too simple, the only hard part is getting the switch back together.

So are you going to post what you did? Paul had mentioned he had a bunch he wanted to salvage like that. Why do you need to save the key? Those are easy to come by in one piece? Just curious..

Bob in MD

OK Bob you twisted my arm,, If you bend the 2 tabs holding the plastic wire connector out of the way the whole switch comes apart, when that is out of the main switch body you will be looking at a rectangle metal piece that fits into the piece you just removed. This piece is pot metal or something else really soft. So I took this to my drill press and drilled a hole big enough for a piece of bailing wire to go through and broken key will push right out. Now the problem is putting it back together. there are 2 balls 3 springs and a brass piece that sits on the center pivot and in a groove and its the key to the whole switch. I think it will take at least 4 hands to get it back together. I emailed paul today. And If a key came out of a switch you can bet its the right one. and that's a pattern for a new one.

Ah Ok good to know... FYI unless I am mistaken the keys are ALL the same...

Thanks, Bob

No Bob there are three different keys that Hodaka used.
Paul

Ah thanks Paul - good to know. I guess it was just a coincidence that mine were all the same. Well still should not be hard to find the right one out of only three I guess.

Bob

Bob the majority of the key's were stamped "hope" and the other side "107". These keys were specific for all models from the Ace 100B through the 250SL.These keys were cut on the right side.

Ace 90's were cut on the left side and stamped "3121" with a round head.

1968/69 Ace 100's with the ignition switch face that is stamped "3121" also with a round head and the key is also stamped "3121". These keys are cut on the right as the "hope/107" keys but are not cut the same as them. Ask me how I found out ?

Paul

Hello Paul, more snow, might mean you will have extra time to remove broken keys from locks you have. HA HA . I will chime in to do the job right the lock has to be taken apart, that was message from my local key manf. I have worked with. I did the same thing took the locks apart as mentioned carefully and got new keys cut and all is good. Just maybe if I might suggest that instead of sitting on those 20+ broken key locks, you could send them to tyfalcon, for a small fee and he can remove broken key, and then you can recycle those locks with new cut keys back into the Hodaka world. Just Maybe ! Just saying ! Bruce Hodakaparts.com

Thanks Paul! Hey how did you find out? LoL

Bob

Bruce you are full of good tidings aren't you ?? Thanks yes that is a great idea and I will broach that with Ty. It would be best to get all the switches together first. Making great progress now that Chris is here. Solved the 4454 bulb problem! Need to speak to you but off in a few for a food show in Boston and Portland Maine.

Bob I learned the hard way! That is what is fun with all of this everytime you think you are certain of something you get thrown a curve. When we stop learning we are done..
Have a great weekend everyone
Thanks
Paul

Hey Paul, when you get a chance next week, send me a couple of those switches you have and I'd like a shot at getting the keys out.

You might try going to a locksmith and asking if they have any broken key extractors. There are several different ones and one of them has to be correct. I do some hobby locksmith type stuff, mostly just pick locks for fun, but haven't bought any of the key extractors yet.
You can google it and find them for about $20 if you wanted try buying one.

Just a thought,

Darrin
aka. Lugnut

YouTube video of how it is done with a broken key extractor. Slide it in on the tumbler side of the key and the tumblers will back out of the way to let it slide in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-Zje2XUp5M

Or just a straightened out fish hook should work I would think...