Cheap spare Key

**cnc** · 03-02-2011, 08:42 AM

Just thought I would pass this along. First off I don't know what a spare key is worth at the dealer or a locksmith, so maybe this is not worth the trouble. I wanted a spare key to keep tucked in my wallet and decided to ask the local hardware if they had a match. Turns out they did have something close. The blank is ILCO X121 DC3 made in USA. The cut matched up with the original, but when I got it home, I found the shank is slightly thicker and at first would not go in any of the locks except the gas cap. I filed both of the flat sides with a points file ( mostly just taking the plating off ) and it works perfectly. Total cost $1.15 and 5 minutes of my time.

AlabamaNomadRider · 03-02-2011, 08:45 AM

Thanks for the tip. I still have a second key from the dealer. Hope I never lose one and have to worry about getting another one made.

ve3hzz · 03-02-2011, 08:52 AM

Great info CNC, I will have to go look for one as another spare. Do you know the hardware store? (Mom and pop or chain?)
I was thinking of making a THEME key for my bike, but didn't want to spend $$ for one and then ruin it if things don't work out.
With this method, I could try it and not be out much moula, just some of my time!!!
Thanks for the info, appreciate it, good find.

Scott

**ringadingh** · 03-02-2011, 08:53 AM

Thats a great tip Norm, I ordered my spare on Ebay and it was about $8.00. Ive never carried a spare key on me but it would be a good idea to do so. I think I'll get myself one as well.

**cnc** · 03-02-2011, 09:14 AM

It's a Mom - Pop type hardware store, but the blank should be easy to find at most any place that cuts keys. The shank is longer than the original key, but for me that did not matter. I still have my spare from the dealer with the rubber covering in a safe place at home and this is just a flat key that slips nicely in one of the plastic ID windows my wallet.

deadant · 03-02-2011, 10:50 AM

I ordered one from my dealer and it cost $12.00 uncut. Then I had to go have it cut!

skeeterv · 03-02-2011, 12:14 PM

I had one made at Ace Hardware and it was the same way. With only a little bit of filing it worked great. It cost something like $2 bucks or less.

Skeeter

**ringadingh** · 03-02-2011, 12:15 PM

I had a hard time finding a blank here, nobody had one, the best I found was a lockshop willing to order the correct blanks in,(ten at a time) but I would have had to buy all ten pieces. Thats why I went to Ebay.

**nomadtom69** · 03-02-2011, 12:22 PM

found this blank on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...Q5fAccessories

ve3hzz · 03-02-2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadtom69

found this blank on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...Q5fAccessories

That is the exact spare key I have for mine. I got it from a local locksmith that has been in business a long time. They order them 10 pack but did get them in for me as looked and it would fit many Kawi as well as a few other applications. Wasn't a bad price, cheaper then e-bay and shipping for sure!! And I know can get another if needed. I just however liked the low $ of this one to try for an experiment, and wouldn't be worried if I ruined it like I would if paid more!!!
Some times dealing with local businesses is better and they are more accommodating from my experience.

Scott

**nomadtom69** · 03-02-2011, 12:51 PM

Not too many of the old hardware stores left the one we do have is owned by a transplant and not real helpful when doing things like try to find something that it does not really call for if you know what I mean

ve3hzz · 03-02-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadtom69

Not too many of the old hardware stores left the one we do have is owned by a transplant and not real helpful when doing things like try to find something that it does not really call for if you know what I mean

OH yes I do. Home Depot, Lowes etc. Most of the old guys you can talk to and tell them what project your working on and what your trying to do. Like get clips to adapt a piece of cooper pipe for use as an antenna. I use to have a lot of them come into the store I worked looking for me to ask questions and get my insight to find an item. Most of the time they left with more then they were planning on buying...LOL

Most of those are gone or they hire the kids who just know that this works for it's intended purpose (like bottom of a garage door is just for that) when I wanted it for the bottom of the spoiler on my car...etc.
No imagination or real problem solving, unless it has a computer monitor attached to it...SAD!!! going the way of the doodoo bird!!!

Scott

**cnc** · 03-02-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadtom69

found this blank on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...Q5fAccessories

That's quite a mark up and not even cut. Pretty much the same key as far as I can see, at least the business end is.

**Jared** · 03-02-2011, 02:48 PM

Both local locksmiths in my area have an exact match for $2.50ish.

ve3hzz · 03-02-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnc

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadtom69

found this blank on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...Q5fAccessories

That's quite a mark up and not even cut. Pretty much the same key as far as I can see, at least the business end is.

Nice to have a picture

If I had trouble finding it, can print off and say THIS ONE!!! LOL!!

You do realize I now can make your key and come ride your bike whenever I want

<JK>

03-02-2011, 08:42 AM	#1
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	Cheap spare Key Just thought I would pass this along. First off I don't know what a spare key is worth at the dealer or a locksmith, so maybe this is not worth the trouble. I wanted a spare key to keep tucked in my wallet and decided to ask the local hardware if they had a match. Turns out they did have something close. The blank is ILCO X121 DC3 made in USA. The cut matched up with the original, but when I got it home, I found the shank is slightly thicker and at first would not go in any of the locks except the gas cap. I filed both of the flat sides with a points file ( mostly just taking the plating off ) and it works perfectly. Total cost $1.15 and 5 minutes of my time. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-02-2011, 08:45 AM	#2
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Cheap spare Key Thanks for the tip. I still have a second key from the dealer. Hope I never lose one and have to worry about getting another one made. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
	0

03-02-2011, 08:52 AM	#3
ve3hzz Advanced Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Canada Posts: 564	Cheap spare Key Great info CNC, I will have to go look for one as another spare. Do you know the hardware store? (Mom and pop or chain?) I was thinking of making a THEME key for my bike, but didn't want to spend $$ for one and then ruin it if things don't work out. With this method, I could try it and not be out much moula, just some of my time!!! Thanks for the info, appreciate it, good find. Scott __________________ http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/image...ine=1316810437
	0

03-02-2011, 08:53 AM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Cheap spare Key Thats a great tip Norm, I ordered my spare on Ebay and it was about $8.00. Ive never carried a spare key on me but it would be a good idea to do so. I think I'll get myself one as well. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

03-02-2011, 09:14 AM	#5
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	Cheap spare Key It's a Mom - Pop type hardware store, but the blank should be easy to find at most any place that cuts keys. The shank is longer than the original key, but for me that did not matter. I still have my spare from the dealer with the rubber covering in a safe place at home and this is just a flat key that slips nicely in one of the plastic ID windows my wallet. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-02-2011, 10:50 AM	#6
deadant Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dickinson, ND Posts: 341	Cheap spare Key I ordered one from my dealer and it cost $12.00 uncut. Then I had to go have it cut!
	0

03-02-2011, 12:14 PM	#7
skeeterv Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayview, TX Posts: 169	Cheap spare Key I had one made at Ace Hardware and it was the same way. With only a little bit of filing it worked great. It cost something like $2 bucks or less. Skeeter __________________ Mike Wallace '02 Beige Nomad PGR #330 VBA #01391 When you’re PSYCHOTIC you never ride A L O N E !
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03-02-2011, 12:15 PM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Cheap spare Key I had a hard time finding a blank here, nobody had one, the best I found was a lockshop willing to order the correct blanks in,(ten at a time) but I would have had to buy all ten pieces. Thats why I went to Ebay. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

03-02-2011, 12:22 PM	#9
nomadtom69 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 2,656	Cheap spare Key found this blank on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...Q5fAccessories __________________ (NomadTom69)Tom Green Previous bikes - 2004 BMW R1200 CLC 2006 Nomad 1600 Black -1985 BMW K100 RT VBA #001609 Viet-Nam Vet 71-72 Maryville , Tn. Maggie Valley '11-Townsend '12-Estes Park '13- Copperhead fall rally "13- Elkins WV '14- Eureka Springs ' 15- Helen Ga. SE Rally '16
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03-02-2011, 12:51 PM	#11
nomadtom69 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 2,656	Cheap spare Key Not too many of the old hardware stores left the one we do have is owned by a transplant and not real helpful when doing things like try to find something that it does not really call for if you know what I mean __________________ (NomadTom69)Tom Green Previous bikes - 2004 BMW R1200 CLC 2006 Nomad 1600 Black -1985 BMW K100 RT VBA #001609 Viet-Nam Vet 71-72 Maryville , Tn. Maggie Valley '11-Townsend '12-Estes Park '13- Copperhead fall rally "13- Elkins WV '14- Eureka Springs ' 15- Helen Ga. SE Rally '16
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03-02-2011, 02:48 PM	#14
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Cheap spare Key Both local locksmiths in my area have an exact match for $2.50ish. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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