Pannier and fairing pocket keys for 1300

[Couch]

I've recently purchased some key blanks for my ST panniers and fairing pocket locks, and I've located the post on the ST Owners site in the States showing how to fit appliance knobs to the keys so they can remain in place all the time.......however I've been unable to purchase the particular appliance knobs they recommend to do the job. I'm just wondering if any member has done this with their keys, and if so, what knobs did you use, and where did you get them from...........

come on now fellas..........cough up, I want to get on with the job 

[Biggles]

Selleys make a wonderful epoxy called "Kneadit".  It comes in a cylindrical stick in a plastic cylinder.  You cut off the amount you need and knead it.   :)

I made up a ball of it and stuck it to the top of the key blank and shaped it to suit myself.  It "goes off" in about 5 minutes and after an hour or so you can drill, tap and/or file it.  It's full strength in 24 hours IIRC, and it's as hard as a rock.  If you clean the subject with acetone it will stick to anything.

Using that technique you have complete control over the size and shape of the "head".  Of course it can be painted to match your pride and joy.   

[Couch]

Thank's mate, that's interesting, and I never thought of doing that...........but, I would like to continue with the use of an appliance knob. They come up very neat and look like they've come with the bike.

I have the keys, I have the tools required (Dremel), I have the J-B Kwik Weld......in fact I have all that is required to carry out the job...........now all I need are the "knobs"...................and I'm determined to find them..........somewhere!! 

[Biggles]

Have you tried Jaycar?

[Couch]

Now there's a thought!!

Have you tried Jaycar?

[Poppy Dave]

Now there's a thought!!

Have you tried Jaycar?

That's where I got mine from. I got the smaller ones. A mate got the larger but I think they're a little too big. Personal tastes vary.

[JuST Peter]

I used the black tops off small Listerine bottles. At the moment it's 12.45 1 in the morning and I need sleep, but will post photos later this evening. I also used Araldite to glue the keys in with. As I didn't have access to a Dremel, I used a hacksaw to trim the blanks, after I'd had them copied against the ignition key.
The Araldite pack comes as a two pack syringe with a spiral type of nozzle which fits on the end and mixes both the hardener and the epoxy at the same time. I'll post photos of this pack set-up later also.
The only danger is, it goes off terribly quickly. I lost one key thinking I could straighten it before the epoxy set (as it leaned away from the vertical), but I was a bit too slow off the mark .

[Couch]

Thanks' Roper, I'll look at Jaycar and both sizes. I'll also have a look at those Listerine bottle tops as well, thanks' Pete. I don't need the Araldite though as I already have JB Weld which is supposed to be even better. I'm interested in having a squiz at those photos!

[JuST Peter]

Couch, as promised, here's the pics of my pannier knobs and please pardon the dusty bike:





They're nothing special, but they work for me :)

[saaz]

JB weld is the best epoxy I have ever used.  Nothing short of amazing on everything I have tried it on.

[Couch]

Hey Peter.........thanks for the photos. I actually have a small size Listerine bottle in our bathroom so I can see one of the lids first hand. They're a squeeze to remove top and have a symbol on the top of the lid showing what's required to remove them, and I think I can see the symbol on the top of your lids. They seem to fit the bill quite well mate. They're a fairly soft plastic but filled with epoxy would be quite solid no doubt. Something to think about that's for sure!!

[Couch]

That's exactly what I've read elsewhere Saaz!

It only cost $12.50 + $7.50 for postage, and there is certainly more than enough to complete my little job. That's not to say thay Araldite doesn't do a good job..........it does, but I believe JBs the "ducks nuts".

JB weld is the best epoxy I have ever used.  Nothing short of amazing on everything I have tried it on.

[JuST Peter]

While I haven't tried the JB weld, my reasoning for using this Araldite is that it self mixes and I could squeeze it directly into the caps to whatever level I needed, hold the keys in place for about 30-60 seconds and it's all done.

[Couch]

I can understand that.........I'd never knock anyone for saving a bit of time and effort!!   Provided it does the job, then it's honky dory!!

While I haven't tried the JB weld, my reasoning for using this Araldite is that it self mixes and I could squeeze it directly into the caps to whatever level I needed, hold the keys in place for about 30-60 seconds and it's all done.

[saaz]

That's exactly what I've read elsewhere Saaz!

It only cost $12.50 + $7.50 for postage, and there is certainly more than enough to complete my little job. That's not to say thay Araldite doesn't do a good job..........it does, but I believe JBs the "ducks nuts".

JB weld is the best epoxy I have ever used.  Nothing short of amazing on everything I have tried it on.

You can buy JB weld at Jaycar outlets. I have bought it in some auto stores as well.  I have also used the Araldite when JB weld became hard to get, and it is quite ok.

[Couch]

I brought it from JB Weld it (aust) online. My nearest Jaycar store is 125ls from where I live, and my nearest Supercheap is 95kls away, so unless I'm heading in to the "big smoke", it's more convenient for me to shop online. If I had to make a special trip in then I'd be up for $35 (return) for fuel in the cage...........less of course for the bike but I don't really enjoy riding the bike around the "big smoke"............All right, so I'm spoiled with country road riding!! Sooooo!!

That's exactly what I've read elsewhere Saaz!

It only cost $12.50 + $7.50 for postage, and there is certainly more than enough to complete my little job. That's not to say thay Araldite doesn't do a good job..........it does, but I believe JBs the "ducks nuts".

JB weld is the best epoxy I have ever used.  Nothing short of amazing on everything I have tried it on.

You can buy JB weld at Jaycar outlets. I have bought it in some auto stores as well.  I have also used the Araldite when JB weld became hard to get, and it is quite ok.

That's exactly what I've read elsewhere Saaz!

It only cost $12.50 + $7.50 for postage, and there is certainly more than enough to complete my little job. That's not to say thay Araldite doesn't do a good job..........it does, but I believe JBs the "ducks nuts".

JB weld is the best epoxy I have ever used.  Nothing short of amazing on everything I have tried it on.

You can buy JB weld at Jaycar outlets. I have bought it in some auto stores as well.  I have also used the Araldite when JB weld became hard to get, and it is quite ok.

[Couch]

Hey Kev.......compared to Nubeena, Hobart is real "big smoke"

I don't really enjoy riding the bike around the "big smoke"............

Hobart?.. 

Cheers

Kev

[winston66]

 
Winston 66 ,
 Wonders
    
  I used the plastic  tops off the small bottles of the dry ginger ale that I use as a mixer with the favourite beverage (scotch) that I like.
  For the adhesive there was some Need It , a two component epoxy repair medium that was left over from patching of some holes and cracks the 12 ft ali dingy  .
 This worked for me ,
 Actual cost , Nill.

 Cheers
 Winston66   

[Couch]

You've done well mate..........it doesn't get much cheaper than that!!

 
Winston 66 ,
 Wonders
    
  I used the plastic  tops off the small bottles of the dry ginger ale that I use as a mixer with the favourite beverage (scotch) that I like.
  For the adhesive there was some Need It , a two component epoxy repair medium that was left over from patching of some holes and cracks the 12 ft ali dingy  .
 This worked for me ,
 Actual cost , Nill.

 Cheers
 Winston66