Half of a key inside U Lock

[Dajofre]

Hi friends,
I had this horrible problem. I had my bicycle parked, and when I put the key to open the lock... I don't know how, maybe it was a little bit rusty, but the key broke and now a part of the key is inside the lock. How can I recover my bicycle? Now it is parked on the street, has anybody had a similar situation? I need help, any piece of advice is welcome.
Thank you in advance

 

[TheDoctor]

I think you've had it, or at least the lock has.
You probably need an angle grinder. And proof that the bike is yours, in case the police turn up.

 

[slowmotion]

^^^^^ This.

 

[Jonbek]

Make sure you wear dark clothing and a balaclava whilst you angle grind it.

 

[Dajofre]

mmm.. and how can I get one of those? I mean, I am a regular person
Any idea? A locksmith? Police? Bicycle technical assistant?

 

[Profpointy]

Some mates of mine had a similar problem with the locked gate of a cave. They were inside - so not funny whilst tired cold and wet after a good few hours caving. Fortunately there was just enough broken key protruding for someone to extract it with their teeth, and luckily, another party had left their key a little way inside the entrance.

Most gated caves have a handle arrangement whereby you can always get out without a key, but not, then, this one. This had bars rather than a door to allow bats in and out, so handle arrangement was tricky.


(Some caves are "gated" to stop yobbos causing damage, children coming to grief etc)

For the op, it is probably battery grinder time

 

[TheDoctor]

Any tool shop can sell you one, or hire one.
But really, it depends what the bike is. If it's something nice, then get busy and cut the lock apart. If it's a cheap pub bike or something, you may not think it worthwhile.

 

[slowmotion]

mmm.. and how can I get one of those? I mean, I am a regular person
Any idea? A locksmith? Police? Bicycle technical assistant?

Get to a hire shop on Saturday morning and rent a cordless one. Make sure you use a ferrous metal cutting disc NOT a metal grinding disk. The metal cutting disks are about 2-3 mm thick. BTW, use the guard! People die when the disk shatters and gets them in the jugular vein or carotid artery.

Good luck.

 

[Profpointy]

... A

Get to a hire shop on Saturday morning and rent a cordless one. Make sure you use a ferrous metal cutting disc NOT a metal grinding disk. The metal cutting disks are about 2-3 mm thick. BTW, use the guard! People die when the disk shatters and gets them in the jugular vein or carotid artery.

Good luck.

... And wear goggles !

Whilst tv shows and instructions would have you wear goggles for making a sandwhich, so we ignore such warnings, you really do need goggles for grinding - sorry if teaching my gran to suck eggs

 

[Gravity Aided]

And some leather gloves. proper safety equipment. In case the disc shatters, or sparks get on you.

 

[asterix]

... A



... And wear goggles !

Whilst tv shows and instructions would have you wear goggles for making a sandwhich, so we ignore such warnings, you really do need goggles for grinding - sorry if teaching my gran to suck eggs

You also want a hard hat, safety boots and a reflective jacket. This will make you look like an official type person. It's amazing what you can get away with if you have the right look.

 

[paul04]

You also want a hard hat, safety boots and a reflective jacket. This will make you look like an official type person. It's amazing what you can get away with if you have the right look.

And don't forget to put cones out+barrier tape with at least a 20 foot safety zone to protect members of the public

 

[Biker Joe]

Perhaps you could try contacting a lock smith.

 

[simon the viking]

Anyone else got a sense of deja-vu

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/lock-wouldnt-unlock-aaargh.139473/

 

[Cyclopathic]

mmm.. and how can I get one of those? I mean, I am a regular person
Any idea? A locksmith? Police? Bicycle technical assistant?

Depending on how much someone might charge to come and do this for you like a locksmith or mechanic it is worth knowing that you can pick up an angle grinder and discs for under £30 from specialised work tool shops or even B&Q. Obviously it won't be the best in the world but it should last long enough to do the job.
I would add the caveat here that I am thinking about grinders that plug into the mains rather than battery powered which will be more expensive. Worth seeing if there is a nearby shop who will let you run an extension cable from their property. Or just get a car mechanic to come along. Ignore me, I'm rambling.