steering locks... how to break them?

[ENGBen]

This post is strictly for information purposes only.

I am just wondering how secure are steering locks on most bikes and how do pieces of scum wanting to knick a bike break them / get past the steering locks.

Ive just been thinking about this... most bikes have steering locks, so I am guessing when somebody leaves their bike (unchained to a solid object that cant be moved), they use the steering lock which cant be much of a problem / deterrent for robbers as the bikes do get knicked.

So how is it done?

How do the locks work?

Can you think of any other ways to secure your bike if you cant chain it to something / or have an alarm etc...

I am talking about quick trips to the shop or families homes.

[argentum40]

bike steering locks are shite... the scumbags kick the bars and it snaps the bolt in the lock...

[Guest]

bike steering locks are shite... the scumbags kick the bars and it snaps the bolt in the lock...

Or they just load the bike into a van.

[mealexme]

not telling

Seriously dont go there. Someone broke my steering lock and failed to drag it very far because it had a chain round the back wheel. Only had 3rd party and they bust the bit the that the steering lock was attached to (the metal bit on the steering column bit) which put the ignition barel thing you put the key in out of alignement and basically buggered the whole thing up. They also bent it in a way that stopped it from steering properly which meant i had to take the front two panels off to get to it and end it back just to get home :/

Steering locks work by basically when you turn the key all the way round, a pin goes out of where the key is, and is inserted into a notch on the steering column preventing it from moving. Prob not the best description in the world lol.

[mealexme]

image removed, see pic below

top right looks like a steering lock. When the key is turned all the way round, that pin on the left of the devise pops out and into a notch in the steering. The bit that goes from the handles to the wheel

EDIT: just realised that pic has the website name in the middle haha. Time to crack out photoshop

EDIT: again

[Guest]

bike steering locks are shite... the scumbags kick the bars and it snaps the bolt in the lock...

Or they just load the bike into a van.

 

..then kick the steering lock

[Decor58]

I think it's just brute force, ignorance and a screw driver into the ignition.

Not very good at stopping someone steeling your bike but it does prevent mates from wheeling your bike down the road and hiding it from you

[Guest akey]

Most are just a quick brute force attack, with a boot to the handlebars or with a scaffold bar through the forks (the sensible way) this just sheers the pin in the pic above.

[salsarider79]

I never stole anything but have known some scummy *people* who have nicked cars, etc. It's very easy if you know how. You don't bother breaking the steering lock.

I laughed when a *person* I knew broke into a car broke the steering lock and drove off in the car. Because he'd broken the steering lock it hadn't done what it would normally do and get out the way of the steering column. So when he went round the first roundabout the steering lock locked the steering and he crashed the car and had to be cut out.

I'd have left him there. Scum

[Guest]

Damn, thought it took more than just a big kick to the handlebars to break it!

Looks like im gonna have to start taking the chain out for quick trips as well now!

[salsarider79]

You don't bother breaking the steering lock.

 

I would take a chain and lock it too something. It's the best bet.

[Throttled]

I dont bother with the stearing lock anymore as it is so inefective, yet relatively expensive to repair.