Chicago Region BMW Motorcycle Owners Assoccrbmw

Does anyone know where I can get a copy made of my ignition key for my 96 RT? I only got one when I bought the bike, and I have never been able to find anyplace that could make a copy.

Thanks,
Romel

When I bought my 98'RT it came with only one key.
So I bought two blanks from the dealership, and had them cut at the local hardware store.
No problems.

PaulW

I've asked at Home Depot, Walmart and Sears and none of them could do it. By "local" hardware store, do you mean something like an Ace Hardware?

Thanks,
Romel

First, you need the key blanks from the dealer. They're not the standard types you find at your local store.

Second, note that these key blanks are steel, not brass. So some hardware store key machines might have a tough time with them. You may have better results by going to a locksmith's shop (like Elmer's, out here in South Chicago Heights).

Tim C.
Park Forest, IL

I already have a blank from the dealer. I'm going to try Ace Hardware and then a locksmith.

Thanks for the help, guys.

Romel

Hi Romel,
Key duplication can be a tough problem. I've had keys copied at hardware stores and locksmiths on a BMW key blank but I got the best results by sending my key to Bob's BMW for dupliation.

As Tim points out, BMW keys are steel, whereas normal household and padlock keys are brass, which is softer. Some hardware stores don't like to cut steel keys because steel accelerates the wear on their key-cutter machines.

Bullis Lock Co., 4350 W. Addison St., Chicago, (suggested by Seymour Goldberg) has a brass ILCO brand key blank that works in the ignition of my 1995 model K1100LT. The brass key that Bullis made for me works, but I have to apply just a hair of extra force to push it into my ignition slot and, once inserted, a hair of extra force to turn it.

Even if you find a hardware store willing to cut your steel key blank, the resulting new key may not work properly if the notches on your BMW key have sharp angles like the letters "V" or "W". The hardware stores and locksmiths that made duplicates on my steel blanks made keys with slightly rounded notches, like the bottom of the letter "U". Those keys consequently didn't work.

Bullis did okay on the keys they made for me, but in my opinion the best solution is to send your key to Bob's BMW. They have the proper blanks and the proper cutting equipment, and made the best-working duplications for me.

Check their website for details. It helps to contact them by phone prior to sending anything to them. And you should send your key via high-security mail like "registered," with return receipt requested. You don't want to loose that thing, right?

Turn-around was about a week. The price was more than a hardware store but not by much.

Good luck,
Joe Sjostrom