After getting home from work yesterday, I couldn't get the seat unlocked. THe key doesn't feel like it is getting a full turn in the cyclinder. I can hear clicking noises from under the seat when working the key. Doesn't seem like the cable is broken instead it seems like the lock mechanism is bound up.

Any body had this problem before? Is there any way to get to the latch with out removing the seat?

Just a hunch... Try spraying a liberal amount of WD40 in the lock - it'll hopefully flush any debris or gunk out (wipe any drips - especially off the tire). When you try to rotate the key, push down on the rear of the seat (right above the u-bracket where it's caught by the latch).

I think you could get the seat off if you take off the rear cowl but would likely require 2 sets of hands to move things slowly so you don't crack the cowl. Latch is cable activated so you just need to find the cable and give it a pull.

Yeah I've done this before its a PITA but not to difficult. The seat doesn't actually sit on the cowl. You only have to move it a small amount to get at the cable. I couldn't do it with the high mounts now so I have installed a cable tie that I can get to through the left rear vent on the rear cowl and use this to unlock the seat.
2 cents

I appreciate the input.
On a hope and a prayer I put a little lock graphite in the cylinder. Feels silky but no luck getting the latch to release. That was anticipated.

Tried the pushing down on the seat over the latch area trying to unbind the latch (if it is bound). No bueno. Shook the hell out of the seat, slapped it a couple of times, cursed out loud. Apologized to the family walking by on the sidewalk in fornt of my house. Considered how long I could go before accessing the stuff under the seat was critical.

This afternoon with the help of my wife/assistant/calming influence, I'll work on manipulating the cowl to get to the cable. I have promised not to cuss or throw anything.

I think I jammed up the lock/latch some how by cinching my briefcase too tight to the seat. I truly hope I didn't bend somethng important associated with the seat latch.

If the cable is still attached you will get a small space when the cowl is pulled back.
the screw driver indicates the part on the seat latch mechanism, it will move pretty easily.
Obviously mine has an after market tail. Hope this helps I can't remeber what the standard underseat looks like but the cable has very little free movement. Don't forget the electric cables.

good luck.

Just take the rear cowel off, no biggie.

Problem solved. The bolt that holds the cable/latch assembly to the cross bar was loose, allowing the cable to catch/snag on the opening where Kiwimack has the screwdriver in the picture. Tightened it up and hopefully won't have anymore issues.


How did I get the seat off to see the loose bolt? I asked my wife to help. Put the bike on the center stand, showed her how the key would not turn fully in the cyclinder, pointed out the under the seat noises, explained how we we're going to remove the rear cowl and hope it gave us access to the latch, etc. Then she started asking questions, did you jiggle the key? Yes. Did you push down on the seat? Yes. Did you pull up on the seat? Yes! Did you jiggle the seat back and forth? YES!! Side to side? WTF!? YES!! I proceeded to show her everything I had tried to get the damn seat loose and dammit if the fucking thing didn't release and come loose. Crap. Why didn't that happen the day before when I was alone and and hadn't asked for her help???

SO as far as Anna knows, she is a wiz bang Honda mechanic and motorcycle issues are easily solved with a few good questions and 45 seconds worth of wiggling the seat. I stayed out in the garage for about and hour and a half after she went back in side.

CLASSIC! and very funny when it happens to someone else.

LOL.... God luv'em

Perfect, now go make dinner...

I might have mumbled something along those lines real quiet like after she had gone inside....