Steering Lock Removal: ETZ 250

[nice2day]

Hi Chaps....I want to remove the headstock steering lock from the frame to enable a new one to fitted (not yet bought). Could someone tell me how the old one can be released (no key available) please?...Many thanks....Les

[nice2day]

I took a closer look at the lock this morning and realised it was a very simple job to remove it...All done now and will be buying a new one soon....Les

[Blurredman]

Glad you resolved it. Pity I came late to your thread.

With the key, they are a very simple item.

How did you remove it without the key ?


Unfortuntaely one of my bikes the lock holder is twisted, and i've never really been able to re-shapen it properly to accomodate a lock..- it had obviously been stolen at some point in the last 32 years..

[nice2day]

Hi Blurredman. Thanks for looking at my question. I'm undertaking a complete restoration of the bike and need to strip the frame etc right down. As I already have the headstock top yoke removed all that was needed was to tap the rotating barrel down with a small rod (screwdriver) and hammer. The lock was un-locked (no key available which is another reason I wanted to renew it). With just a few relatively light taps downwards, the whole assembly just moves down and out of the frame casting leaving it vacant for the new one which I will buy from MZ-B. The fit is just an interference one which could be secured even more with Loctite thread-lock or such on refitting. I don't think it would have been any difference even if the bolt was in the locked position as it would just have started higher up. Many thanks again and look forward to your help further along the refurb...Oh yes, I guess I will have to drill/grind off the rivet heads to release the VIN plate? ...All the best...Les

[Blurredman]

Aha. Thank you for the reply. The key point there being that the lock was 'unlocked'.

I presumed it might have been locked in the unlocked position, if you see what I mean.

I don't normally put anything between the lock and the tube that holds it. Other than some grease perhaps. As the whole assembly moves up and down, as you've probably realised. There is normally a spring inside too, to push the assembly down when you unlock it, but I don't normally find that necessary.

Why would you want to remove the VIN plate? One of mine has had that done, and I always wondered why..

[nice2day]

You're quite right about the lock not requiring any extra "glue" so won't bother with it, I'll just press the new one back in. If the lock was in the up (locked) position it would simply require the top yoke to be removed to gain access to being able to hammer it downwards. As I'm doing a total strip down, the front suspension with yokes are all removed anyway so an easy job.
Regarding the VIN plate removal. I'm doing this as the frame will be shot blasted before powder coating and attempting to mask off the VIN plate would be futile, and the details punched on it would be destroyed. I'll grind the rivet tops off with a Dremel mini-drill and then drill the remaining rivet out and then use pop rivets to refit the plate. Before that, I can see myself refurbishing the VIN plate with a Brillo pad and re-painting the black areas on it with a small brush....It's all in the pursuit of perfection of course, but am I just wasting my precious, perhaps few, remaining years of my life?...Probably :


More question to follow...Best regards....Les

[Blurredman]

Aha well. Yes indeed the whole assembly is meant to move up and down. The key mechanisms merely twists a rod which fits in a posision within the 'H' pattern. Allowing you to move up or down the whole lock by moving the rod.

Anyway..

I see what you mean- Sounds like you have some detailing to do.. Got any pictures of what the bike looks like in its current state? I love following restoration threads too..

[parrbd]

My lock just fell out about 25 years ago. It is probably lying on the side of the road to this day.

[Puffs]

Ah right, there's supposed to be a lock in there...

Never had that. But I've had the bike only for 21 years.