My ignition key has suddenly started jumping out of the barrel whilst I am riding, I don't know what has happened and I nearly lost it, luckily it stayed on the dash area. Is it ball bearings that hold it in place when you put it in the ignition?

Nope realy small springs. your ign may be so worn that the brass gates are worn out and any key will fit now.

Spray some WD40 in it first Grouch and try working the key in an out, might be wise to tie some string to the key and attach it to the bars when your out on it, in the short term anyhow

Thanks, I have resorted to removing the key when I am riding the bike. I will spray some WD40 in it now.

Nope it is well and truly knackered. I'm selling the bike after Xmas anyway so if it's going to cost me a bomb I won't bother fixing it.

  On 10/6/2012 at 3:36 PM, Airhead said:

Spray some WD40

I totally agree Paul, but my preferance would be graphite grease (the powderery stuff)

Its probably knackered anyhow, Grouch has stated before how much wet and condensation he gets under the bike cover, now there may be some rusted up gubbins in there

What can I say? Apart from from what I've already said, they should have never got rid of horses, when they go wrong all you have got to do is shoot it and get another one.

Sorry Ttasky.

  On 10/6/2012 at 9:45 PM, mike1949 said:

What can I say? Apart from from what I've already said, they should have never got rid of horses, when they go wrong all you have got to do is shoot it and get another one.

Sorry Ttasky.

Aye mike and they dont have ignition keys either eh

  On 10/6/2012 at 9:55 PM, Airhead said:

Aye mike and they dont have ignition keys either eh

And also what comes out their exhaust is good for the environment.(as in roses)

Just out of curiousity is it a big expensive job to fix? I would rather get it sorted if it's not a ballache or going to cost me a bomb.

I wouldnt bother myself, sell the bike with 2 keys

Have a search on fleabay there maybe a pattern ign switch at a reasonable price

Any decent locksmith should be able to install the new springs and worn gates for 20 bucks. If you remove it from the bike.

Is the key worn down,might be as simple as cutting a new key.If you have a spare key thats not all worn down try it and see if it fits tighter. Then have a key cut from it and tell the person cutting the new key that, yours is worn down to the point you can pull it out and to cut it not as deep. Most key cutting machines are the tracer type,they simply put your key in and copy it but they can adjust it.

I would be woried the the gates are stuck so that any key would turn the lock making your bike quite easy to steal.

  On 10/6/2012 at 9:45 PM, mike1949 said:

What can I say? Apart from from what I've already said, they should have never got rid of horses, when they go wrong all you have got to do is shoot it and get another one.

Sorry Ttasky.

Hey, at least someone on here remembers me mentioning graphite grease, rather than using WD40 and ending up clogging the mechanism with crap! You a Locksporter, perchance?

However, horses cost a bomb to replace. Bikes at least can usually be fixed for a lot less!

I think I'll just leave it,. it's not that much of a problem.