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From: hedden@atux01.UUCP (D. Hedden)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: locks and alarms
Message-ID: <187@atux01.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 13-Mar-86 13:33:53 EST
Article-I.D.: atux01.187
Posted: Thu Mar 13 13:33:53 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Mar-86 20:30:14 EST
References: <966@h-sc1.UUCP> <1182@ihlpa.UUCP> <530@kepler.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: CSEd, AT&T Communications, Piscataway, N.J.
Lines: 24
Summary: Fork locks useless

In article <530@kepler.UUCP>, mojo@kepler.UUCP (Morris Jones) writes:
> Reading about stolen motorcycles is very sobering.
> 
> Does the fork lock provide any deterent?
> 
The fork lock may deter the absolutely honest person who accidentally
attempts to roll your bike away.  I assume you're asking about the
little factory installed cylinder lock that locks the handlebars and
fork at full turn.  I once bumped my parked bike just after locking
the fork and it started to fall over (it was on the center stand on
a sideways slope), I grabbed the handlebars to keep the bike up, and
in applying enough torque to stop the fall, I bent the little pin that
extends out of the cylinder to lock it.  The lock no longer locked 
anything!!  I took the lock out of the bike to get a replacement,
but changed my mind when I found this pin (about 3/8 inch diameter)
was made of a fairly soft metal.  Anyone wrenching the handlebar
firmly would cut or bend this pin so as to make it non-functional.
If you're concerned, buy a good lock, and consider the high price
as insurance.  Incidentally, I've been using bikes as my primary
means of transportation for 28 years and haven't had one stolen yet.

   "The moving hand writes ..."

    Don