So the other day we took off for a short RV trip. Decided to lock the forks and ignition. Turned forks to far left, turned ign switch to far left and locked with key, no issues.

Got home a few days later, and too me about 10 min of farting around, jiggling the key, etc, till it finally unlocked. Did I miss something, or is this a known issue that needs to be corrected?

This is on my '14 FLHTCU.

 

You may have probs if you sit on the bike when you try to unlock.
Try standing to the side and as you unlock take a little of the weight off the pin as you turn the switch by turning the bars slightly.

 

I was standing off to the side. What do you mean by taking weight off the pin? What pin?

I did notice you had to depress the key to turn it, could something be hanging up? I would hate to be on a trip somewhere and not be able to unlock my forks.

 

I've sometimes had to jiggle the handlebars when unlocking the forks on my '14 Limited.

 

When you push down on the ignition switch to lock the forks a pin extends from the switch housing into a recess on the upper right side of the steering neck. Since the pin is spring loaded, oftentimes it won't retract on it's own if there's a side load on it. Wiggling the bars will remove the side load.

Pin extended.


Pin retracted.


Pin extended into steering neck recess.

 

I don't use my fork lock anymore for this very reason. Earlier this year my handlebars slipped in the riser, so obviously I had to remove the ignition switch to gain access into that area. Well, the switch was a b**** to re-install properly. I ended up being able to get it back on well-enough to ride to my indy who had that special little ignition switch alignment tool.

 

Thanks Baneyboy
The pics really help. We did another overnite run yesterday. Before leaving I tested it again, and all seems well. Maybe it stuck from lac of use before, not sure, but seems to work fine.

twincam
That seems like s totally different situation, to me. I am not removing mine, just using the extra bit of security, incase someone decided to try and help themselves to my bike while I was away. Personally, I like the extra layer. The only bike I ever had stolen, was a '73 CB450, that I bought new. Parked st a "sort of" park n ride, and decided that once not to lock the forks. When I got back to it that evening, I was without my new bike.

I no longer leave my bikes places like that, or leave them very long without the forks being locked. I know it doesn't stop the best of them, but every little bit helps.