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Author Topic: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?  (Read 13198 times)

Offline technostructural

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Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« on: June 12, 2016, 11:15:34 AM »
I searched through the old threads, and I couldn't find much on this issue, so I figured I'd start one!

I recently purchased a blank key for my K75. I took the original and the blank to my local hardware store, and they were unable to cut it. Apparently key cutting is not like it was when I was a kid. It appears that the machine needs the correct "cartridge" for copying the BMW key, and of course my local hardware store did not have this. They recommended a locksmith.

Does anyone have any suggestions here? Locksmiths seem to be few and far between, and operate at very inconvenient hours for me. I feel like the motorbrick community has a more straightforward solution.

Cheers.
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Offline Laitch

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2016, 11:48:21 AM »
Quote from: technostructural on June 12, 2016, 11:15:34 AM
They recommended a locksmith.
Locksmith will cut steel keys; hardware stores usually don't have the equipment. The "cartridge" claim is beyond my understanding. Just make an appointment with a locksmith explain that it's a motorcycle key and and most likely it'll be cut while you wait. It's not alchemy.
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Offline johnny

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2016, 11:54:43 AM »
laitch is correct... hardware stores generally no longer have a key cutting machine and employee a skilled machinist to make perfect keys... ... rather they have chinese cookie cutter machines that use their chinese cartridges...

im lucky here in the chee cause we have an olde tyme hardware store that will still cut keys the old fashioned way... also... the local bmw dealer cuts keys... he is also a hardley ableson dealer... says the lifestyle ridors are all the time getting liquored up and losing their keys...

so maybe the closest hardley ablseson dealer might cut keys the old fashioned way too...

j o
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Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2016, 12:04:33 PM »
When I had some keys cut I went to a locksmith who cut keys for bank safe deposit boxes.  Those keys are steel like the BMW keys.

I would think that if you ask at your local bank, they might be able to tell you who can cut your keys. 

Regarding the "cartridge", they locksmith who cut mine said there is a special tool involved.  He didn't have it, but was able to make the keys with the tooling he had.  Can't say if it was the cutter or the fixture for holding the key.  I think it is something to do with the steel blank.  While our keys are steel like the bank keys, there is a difference in the shape. 

He also told me that ILCO has a blank that will work for BMW keys.  It's not a common blank, but if the locksmith has them, they can be cut on the standard machine.
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Offline technostructural

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2016, 12:10:30 PM »
Thanks for the help everyone.

I have to say that I am a little bit surprised that getting a key cut has become such a pain in the ass. At least now I have "hardley ableson" in my back pocket. That's gold Johnny.

Well, off to a locksmith it is I suppose. The whole idea of "making an appointment" for a key to be cut seems to be very 19th century to me. Maybe I should get a bunch done at once.
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Offline johnny

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2016, 12:18:50 PM »
i gotts 1 in my ignition... 1 in my rear left turn signal housing... 1 in my rear right turn signal housing... and 1 on my ring of keys in the house that i hopes i aints gotta ever use...

also you can order keys with your vin at most bmw dealers... they can mail them to you...

internet knowledge is forum power... click here to see what i mean...



j o
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Offline Laitch

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2016, 12:31:56 PM »
Quote from: technostructural on June 12, 2016, 12:10:30 PM
I have to say that I am a little bit surprised that getting a key cut has become such a pain in the ass.
Life is hard, then you die.
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Offline Martin

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2016, 01:41:40 PM »
I keep a flat non OEM key in my wallet, and one hidden on my bike. And I can get keys cut at the local Saturday Trash & Treasure market and at the local shopping centre.
Regards Martin.
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Offline K1300S

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2016, 02:39:00 PM »
I just walked into the nearby locksmith shop,  they pulled a blank off the wall display,  cut it to match my key,  done.  Cost less than $3.
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Offline stokester

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2016, 07:32:25 PM »
Quote from: technostructural on June 12, 2016, 11:15:34 AM

Does anyone have any suggestions here? Locksmiths seem to be few and far between, and operate at very inconvenient hours for me. I feel like the motorbrick community has a more straightforward solution.

I've purchased both folding and flat keys for my K75 as well as my airheads from my BMW dealer, had them cut there and was able to test them in the parking lot for a fair price.

Not all can do it, I've use Morton's in Fredericksburg VA as well as Bob's in MA with good results.
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Offline johnny

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #10 on: June 12, 2016, 07:48:42 PM »
Quote from: TimTyler on June 12, 2016, 12:20:07 PM
I had a key cut at a locksmith a couple of months ago. It took him a while to find the correct key blank to use, but he did. Works great. Ilco X109 FT43
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Offline White Dog

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2016, 09:02:11 PM »
I just bought 2 folding BMW blanks for my K75.  Nothing wrong with the keys I have, just got them when they were available.  I have a "old timey" locksmith shop who can probably copy the keys for me.  I just recently had a saddle bag lock repaired there.  He made a retainer tang for the broken lock by copying the tang from a good lock cylinder.  Woiks like a chaarm.  To follow our fearless leader Mystic Red, too many keys are better than not having enough.
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Offline richarddacat

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #12 on: June 13, 2016, 08:23:32 PM »
Ace Hardware just cut a spare for my FJR, Home Depot and Lowes missed the boat.

Might mention I had to go to the dealer to get the blank.
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Offline billday

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #13 on: June 13, 2016, 08:49:15 PM »
Ilco LF11 is also known to work.
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Offline sj2000

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #14 on: June 14, 2016, 03:18:06 PM »
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Offline White Dog

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #15 on: June 25, 2016, 11:05:02 AM »
I had my BMW folding blank cut at Ace Hardware.  Because I furnished the blank, I was not charged for cutting the key.  YMMV.

As to the "key cartridges" used in "Modern Key Making Machines" the machine comes with several banks of key slots which, if your original key will fit, they know which blank to pull to make as a duplicate.  The Lowe's store where I shop is not able to cut double-sided keys (like for Honda motorcycle) which I thought was quite odd, with all the high-tech operations around.
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Offline Brian N NC

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #16 on: July 22, 2016, 12:33:08 PM »
Quote from: White Dog on June 25, 2016, 11:05:02 AM
I had my BMW folding blank cut at Ace Hardware. 

Which Ace Hardware did you go to?
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Offline White Dog

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #17 on: July 22, 2016, 12:37:11 PM »
Union Cross Ace Hardware, Kernersville, NC.  Call around and see if someone in your area can cut steel keys.  Big box stores cannot.
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Offline billday

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Re: Where to get blank ignition keys cut/copied?
« Reply #18 on: July 22, 2016, 01:52:12 PM »
Any locksmith can do it with ease, it's not even a very exotic or unusual blank.

When I was a locksmith we stocked blanks for Mini's from the 1960s and old Porsches and Alfas. The K bike key is no biggie.

Support your local locksmith!
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