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R60/2 Tank Lock

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:39 am
by p.smitty
Like many people, I have a /2 with a missing key for the tank compartment. Is it better to drill out the lock and replace it, or
is it possible to have a locksmith open it and make a key? The tank is in great, original condition and am afraid of the tank
getting trashed by the locksmith.

Thanks,

Pat

Replacing the lock will mean

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:51 am
by schrader7032
Replacing the lock will mean that the fork lock has a different key than the tool compartment...maybe not an issue. If you were to drill out the lock (after removing the knee pads), couldn't you just take the lock to a locksmith? I've never visited an old fashioned locksmith, but couldn't they do this work with you looking over their shoulder, with adequate protection on the tank? You'd probably have to go to lengths to make sure there was nothing flammable in the tank...fill it with water and flush several times, then let dry in the sun.

Tank Lock

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 11:12 am
by wa1nca
No need to remove the tank remove the nee pads and drill out the 3 ribbits holding the lock

Tommy

Locksmith

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 12:58 pm
by miller6997
I may be missing something, but I see no reason that you can't ask a skilled locksmith to pick the lock and make you a new key. You can buy correct Neiman blanks from sellers such as "Spike Buck" on eBay (also on the web at vintagebmwparts.com). This is not an invasive procedure, and there should be little risk of damage to the tank itself. I have the sport tank and so I don't have the tool box, but my local locksmith made a key for my fork lock in short order.

Locksmiths are a little like mechanics. Some are creative fixers and others are parts replacement specialists. Find a locksmith with a full range of old and new locking devices on display. My local shop is a third-generation family affair and there's always someone there to address any problem.

Tank Lock

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:05 pm
by p.smitty
Thank You for the input. I appreciate it.

Pat

+1 on the locksmith. A good

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2019 9:45 am
by FL54
+1 on the locksmith. A good locksmith should be able to pick both the fork lock and the tank lock. I was able to pick the tank lock myself. If there are different keys, one of them has been replaced. I ended up replacing both with lockset from Vech. Now one key though I rarely use the fork lock.

I needed a key for my toolbox

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:51 pm
by stagewex
I needed a key for my toolbox tank. At the dealer (this is MAX BMW which stocks a lot of vintage parts), they tried 3 or 4 types that they had in stock, one opened it and was correct for all the other locks. It's no like they made a lot of different types.

I recall the 2 keys that I eventually bought also came with a tiny copper tab that had the key number on it should I even lose again. What year is your /2? You have nothing listed in your signature line. If a 1969 like mine I can take a picture of the number that worked for me.

Where do you live?

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:24 pm
by miller6997
Irv Seaver BMW in Southern California has been selling and servicing BMWs forever. The shop keeps a huge ring of orphan keys that you can try, one by one, hoping to find a match for your locks. You might get lucky. I did not, and so went the locksmith route.

Removing the lock

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2019 3:23 pm
by pokie
There's not many locksmiths around here that can open one of these but they sure like charging you for trying! What I would do is remove the rubber knee pad and drill out the rivets that hold the lock in place. Remove the lock and take that, alone to a locksmith (or mail it to one that's good enough to actually unlock it).

Keys

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2019 7:54 pm
by Jim D 5112
I just found a retired locksmith local that can do it if you have the blank. He is doing a seat lock for me now. Quoted me $25-30.
Will let you know if you are interested. You could mail it or shop around local there are guys that can do it.