Does anyone know the procedure for using the steering lock?
What position does the key have to be in?
Ive tried everything and cant make the bolt lock to the frame,Im assuming thats how it works.
I also suspect that it may have been broken and some of the parts are not there:foul:

DARN!!! I just posted about this. I'll delete it.

I've owned 2 and both were so hard to engage it was actually easier to keep a chain and lock on the bike. Somebody tell us the trick to these sucky factory steering locks.

Seems like it's fairly easy? Turn your bars all the way to the left, against the lock, push down on the key & turn it to the left. Remove key & go on your merry way. Theif will now be riding in circles if he hot wires your bike when you return:busted:

WR TOM said:

Thanks, Tom.

But it doesn't work that way for me. It doesn't matter how far the steering is turned to either side, it just won't engage until your fingers are blue from toying with the key. Both of my 650L's since '94 have done this. I suspect some are just duds about this.

Did you push down on the key? It's spring loaded.

WR TOM said:

Yeah, I've owned over 40 Japanese bikes - 2 of them XR650L's since 1994. Both of mine simply would not just snap the lock into place with a quick push and turn of the key. My current '06 model drives me nuts. The 650L's are the only 2 bikes that have ever given me a problem with this. It's a major execise in frustration to lock the steering. It sometimes takes 5 minutes or better of constant trying to make it happen. Usually I just give up and walk away feeling vulnerable.

WR TOM said:

Thanks Tom
I havent tried pushing down on the lock:worthy:

I know that with the aftermarket 4.7 Clarke Tank on mine it's hard to turn the bars all the way to the lock, making it a bit of a bitch to engage. I decided to start using caliper locks instead of fighting with it. :cheers:

Old Dog said:

I have a Clarke 4.7 gallon tank on my XR650L and haven't had any problem engaging the steering lock.

Actually, when I got the bike last December I was unable to engage the steering lock with the key that I had been given. Apparently it was a copy made at a hardware store or something. So I went to the local locksmith (Bay Lock And Key in Dublin) and asked if he could make me a better key. He used a special tool to cut a new key, not a grinder, and made a new key that was way better than my "original".

So now, I turn the steering all the way to the left, push down a little on the key, turn it counter-clockwise some more, and it locks the steering with no problem (unless I try to use that one old original key).

ScottRNelson said:

I think on my bike it's a combination of the Clarke tank and other farkles I have installed (dual headlight bracket, etc.). :cheers:

I tried pushing down on the key and it will not budge,doesnt even feel like it should.
Broke the plastic bit on the non original key.

My key pushes down fine. It just won't turn afterwards. I do have a Clark 4.7 tank, but there are no clearance issues. I'm inclined to believe it must have something to do with the key. I guess I should get serious about it and take a close look at what's going on.