Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 1500 only => Topic started by: Old Drifter on February 24, 2016, 17:42:20 PM

Title: Key Blanks ?
Post by: Old Drifter on February 24, 2016, 17:42:20 PM
Is there a good source for reasonably priced Kawasaki key blanks? I need a full set (3) keys for my 1999 1500. There's some Kawasaki blanks for sale on the big auction site for $20 each with free shipping. I really don't want to go for $60 for a set of keys, although I know the cost and the headache if I loose the only set I have will be a lot more. Thanks **See post #5 & #9**
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: Troll on February 24, 2016, 18:21:24 PM
I got spare keys cut on Kawasaki blanks. The local key shops (several of them) cannot get the correct ones....
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: bambam0099 on February 25, 2016, 11:50:54 AM
Quote from: Old Drifter on February 24, 2016, 17:42:20 PM
Is there a good source for reasonably priced Kawasaki key blanks? I need a full set (3) keys for my 1999 1500. There's some Kawasaki blanks for sale on the big auction site for $20 each with free shipping. I really don't want to go for $60 for a set of keys, although I know the cost and the headache if I loose the only set I have will be a lot more. Thanks

I bought 2 sets of 2 blank Kawasaki keys for my Drifter and Nomad off of Ebay for $14 total (for 4).  Took them to the locksmith and he cut them in no time and work perfectly.

Auction:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/281837259716?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: Old Drifter on February 25, 2016, 12:00:38 PM
Quote from: bambam0099 on February 25, 2016, 11:50:54 AM
I bought 2 sets of 2 blank Kawasaki keys for my Drifter and Nomad off of Ebay for $14 total (for 4).  Took them to the locksmith and he cut them in no time and work perfectly.

Auction:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/281837259716?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

bambam0099, thanks for the info and link...however I believe the 1999 and 2000 Drifter use a different key blank.
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: bambam0099 on February 29, 2016, 14:47:35 PM
Quote from: Old Drifter on February 25, 2016, 12:00:38 PM
bambam0099, thanks for the info and link...however I believe the 1999 and 2000 Drifter use a different key blank.

Shoot, didn't realize they were different...sorry about that.

Maybe write to him and see if he has any.
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: Old Drifter on March 01, 2016, 15:03:35 PM
Thanks for the replies. I went to my local locksmith today. He had the blanks and cut the keys, $5 each...cut.  ;D
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: DC on March 02, 2016, 00:16:43 AM
I got some blanks off of Flea-bay a long time ago.  Took them to the local hardware store to get cut.  They had never done bike keys before.  So they looked at is as an experiment.  No charge.  They just wanted my feedback on how the cuts worked out.
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: rawbz36 on April 07, 2016, 12:31:03 PM
Quote from: bambam0099 on February 25, 2016, 11:50:54 AM
I bought 2 sets of 2 blank Kawasaki keys for my Drifter and Nomad off of Ebay for $14 total (for 4).  Took them to the locksmith and he cut them in no time and work perfectly.

Auction:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/281837259716?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT



Bam, those keys will fit a 2001 1500 drifter?
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: RockinRollin on May 12, 2016, 10:08:28 AM
If you go to Kawasaki Parts house

http://www.kawasakipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/kaw/500b25b6f8700223e478f350/ignition-switch-locks-reflectors

Find your year , make model and find the "Ignition Switch/Locks/Reflectors" Assembly drawing. You will see 2 keys in the upper right hand corner that are mirror images of each other, you need to compare your key to these to determine which is correct. For my 2000 1500 the correct key was KEY-LOCK,BLANK,#A (27008-1179)
The Kawi dealer ordered mine for me as they didn't have them in stock. The price was reasonable and they say Kawasaki on the key. Now find a locksmith to cut the key for you. My one key opens the gas tank, locks my helmet and starts the bike, not sure why you would need several different keys?

For the Drifter 2000 1500 it's the same assembly drawing and the same 2 keys.

http://www.kawasakipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/kaw/500b25b8f8700223e478f38e/ignition-switch-locks-reflectors

Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: Old Drifter on May 12, 2016, 13:01:33 PM
Quote from: RockinRonny on May 12, 2016, 10:08:28 AM
If you go to Kawasaki Parts house

http://www.kawasakipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/kaw/500b25b6f8700223e478f350/ignition-switch-locks-reflectors

Find your year , make model and find the "Ignition Switch/Locks/Reflectors" Assembly drawing. You will see 2 keys in the upper right hand corner that are mirror images of each other, you need to compare your key to these to determine which is correct. For my 2000 1500 the correct key was KEY-LOCK,BLANK,#A (27008-1179)
The Kawi dealer ordered mine for me as they didn't have them in stock. The price was reasonable and they say Kawasaki on the key. Now find a locksmith to cut the key for you. My one key opens the gas tank, locks my helmet and starts the bike, not sure why you would need several different keys?

For the Drifter 2000 1500 it's the same assembly drawing and the same 2 keys.

http://www.kawasakipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/kaw/500b25b8f8700223e478f38e/ignition-switch-locks-reflectors

Initially I thought that I needed 3 keys. When I got the bike there were 3 keys on the ring. One fit the ignition, fork lock, tool box cover and helmet lock. One of the other keys (2nd key) fit the gas cap only. The 3rd key was an oddball and didn't really fit anything. My local locksmith told me that one key should fit everything. We figured out that the gas cap was changed for some reason and needed it's own key (2nd key). The 3rd key was an incorrect cut ignition key, the locksmith dressed it up and it now fits the ignition, fork lock, tool box and helmet lock. 
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: bambam0099 on May 15, 2016, 19:36:48 PM
Quote from: rawbz36 on April 07, 2016, 12:31:03 PM
Bam, those keys will fit a 2001 1500 drifter?

They woreked for my 2001 1500 Drifter without issue
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: rawbz36 on May 16, 2016, 17:49:48 PM
Yup, just took them in and had them cut. They work perfectly. Thanks
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: jonnyb on July 06, 2016, 04:35:50 AM
I got my blanks at Ace Hardware for $2 each!!!
Title: Re: Key Blanks ?
Post by: Bucko on February 08, 2020, 21:45:17 PM
Quote from: Old Drifter on May 12, 2016, 13:01:33 PM
One of the other keys (2nd key) fit the gas cap only.   

Yes, one key should fit everything.  Some folks prefer to have a separate key for the tank, that way, if for some reason they want to open the cap while the bike is running, they don't have to shut it off.  I know there have been occasions when I wished I could do that but it's never outweighed the convenience of having only one key fit all locks.

I've had to replace the tank cap on other bikes and have re-keyed the replacement caps myself to match the ignition key.  I assume that can easily be done on the Drifter as well but have never had the need to try it.