The Chainlink

Kryptonite Lock Issues

I am having issues with my New York Fahgedaboudit Mini U-lock. Sometimes the key does not turn all the way and sometimes I cannot open the lock, even with the key turned all the way. I have to pull and jiggle the shackle until the U portion comes free, sometimes exerting great mounts of force to pry it off! I have also noticed a bit of fine rust-colored debris on the inside of the lock and on the U portion. It's only around two years old. Anyone else ever have this issue?

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on July 17, 2012 at 8:59am

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to pick up some chain lube on my way home today.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 17, 2012 at 9:09am

Lock-Ease:

Graphite lubricant in an oil suspension.  This is what the pros use.   

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 17, 2012 at 9:44am

You ride a bike and you do not have chain lube?

Oiling your chain once a week, or more in wet conditions, will do wonders when it comes to extending it's life and keeping it quiet.

Adam Herstein said:

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to pick up some chain lube on my way home today.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 17, 2012 at 9:50am

Do not use anything like WD-40 as it is a poor lubricant.  It'll be a short-term solution but it acts more as a degreaser/cleaner than as a lubricant.   While it will drive out moisture (that's what WD stands for: Water Displacing) it will also wash out any grease or other lubricant put into a mechanism by the factory over a number of applications until there is nothing left.  Once the extremely thin "oil" and propellant from the WD-40 dries up and evaporates there will be almost nothing left in the lock (or other mechanism.)  Things lubricated with WD-40 end up going bone dry after a few applications. 

Lock Ease is the right stuff and you can find it at any automotive store, big-box home store, or even many hardware stores.   It's under $5 for a small bottle that will probably last for many years.   It works great and will not dry out your lock in the long run.

Just be careful as it is very penetrative and thin at first.  Apply it before you go to bed and let it dry/thicken inside the mechanism.  Then shake out any excess before use as it will tend to spill out if you put a lot in.  Shake out the lock and wipe the outside the next morning and you are good to go. 

Graphite is basically the same stuff in your pencil "lead" and it will stain clothing and carpets if you spill it all over.

It's the same stuff professional locksmiths use for automotive and household/commercial locks on doors.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on July 17, 2012 at 10:30am

Yeah, I have been meaning to pick up some chain lube, just been putting it off for whatever reason. This is a good excuse to get some, especially since I have been riding in the rain a fair amount.

notoriousDUG said:

You ride a bike and you do not have chain lube?

Oiling your chain once a week, or more in wet conditions, will do wonders when it comes to extending it's life and keeping it quiet.

Adam Herstein said:

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to pick up some chain lube on my way home today.

Permalink Reply by Eric B on July 17, 2012 at 10:47am

I enjoyed using my first Kryptonite lock until the key itself wore down after about two years and I encountered all the problems you're talking about.  Use the appropriate lubrication for the lock and If you still have the second key, and it's relatively unused then it should work better for you.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on July 17, 2012 at 10:51am

I am aware of how horrible WD-40 is as a lubricant. I called a local lock store to ask if they carried Lock Ease and was told to just use WD-40! I will not be giving that store my business, for sure. Do you know of any shops in town that carry Lock Ease? Or will chain lube work in the interim while I wait for an online order?

James BlackHeron said:

Do not use anything like WD-40 as it is a poor lubricant.  It'll be a short-term solution but it acts more as a degreaser/cleaner than as a lubricant.   While it will drive out moisture (that's what WD stands for: Water Displacing) it will also wash out any grease or other lubricant put into a mechanism by the factory over a number of applications until there is nothing left.  Once the extremely thin "oil" and propellant from the WD-40 dries up and evaporates there will be almost nothing left in the lock (or other mechanism.)  Things lubricated with WD-40 end up going bone dry after a few applications. 

Lock Ease is the right stuff and you can find it at any automotive store, big-box home store, or even many hardware stores.   It's under $5 for a small bottle that will probably last for many years.   It works great and will not dry out your lock in the long run.

Just be careful as it is very penetrative and thin at first.  Apply it before you go to bed and let it dry/thicken inside the mechanism.  Then shake out any excess before use as it will tend to spill out if you put a lot in.  Shake out the lock and wipe the outside the next morning and you are good to go. 

Graphite is basically the same stuff in your pencil "lead" and it will stain clothing and carpets if you spill it all over.

It's the same stuff professional locksmiths use for automotive and household/commercial locks on doors.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on July 17, 2012 at 11:13am

You can always order more keys if you have the code for them. It's printed on a small piece of metal that came attached to the big key with the light.

Eric B said:

I enjoyed using my first Kryptonite lock until the key itself wore down after about two years and I encountered all the problems you're talking about.  Use the appropriate lubrication for the lock and If you still have the second key, and it's relatively unused then it should work better for you.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 17, 2012 at 11:23am

I bought my current bottle of LockEase at the Ace Hardware by The Bike Lane on Milwaukee across from The Congress Theater.  i've seen it at Pep Boys and at Menards.  It's not very uncommon.

As for keys,  That's one more think I like about OnGuard locks -they come with like 6 or 8 of them -one even has one of those little LED lights built into them as well as a big key-fob that has the lock code on it should you wear out all half-dozen keys and need more.

A few weeks back my wife's OnGuard brute fell off her bike in the middle of an intersection.  I ran back for it but not before the light had changed and it had been run over by a few cars and shot around the intersection.   The plastic covering was a bit scarred up but the lock works fine still.  

I know other people have had issues with OnGuard locks but I swear by them.  Never had one freeze up but I've been using lock ease on them every once in a while since they where new.  I actually loaded them up the day I purchased each of them as I don't trust a manufacturer to properly lube anything even when new. Grease costs a penny and if they can save a penny on hundred million locks they have saved a million dollars...

Permalink Reply by Duppie on July 17, 2012 at 11:25am

Do you work for a or own shares in a lube manufacturer?

I lube my chains a few times in the non-winter months and more often in the winter months, but not nearly as often as you suggest. Rarely have a problem with noise. As far as the wear and tear goes, most chains last numerous thousands of miles before they wear out. The only one that wears out quicker is the one on my winter bike, since it catches a lot of dirt, salt and whatnot.

notoriousDUG said:

You ride a bike and you do not have chain lube?

Oiling your chain once a week, or more in wet conditions, will do wonders when it comes to extending it's life and keeping it quiet.

Adam Herstein said:

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to pick up some chain lube on my way home today.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on July 17, 2012 at 11:29am

I have abandoned past Kryptonites that became too unreliable, and have as a result been dilligent about closing the little doors on the two I am using now; I think ~ 3 years with no problems and no need for lubrication that I can recall. Rain and snow getting easily into the lock mechanism is IMO the worst enemy. Not that it's a bad idea to lubricate a lock periodically, but I think if you can just get in the habit of covering the key opening every time you won't have Adam's problems.

Daniel G said:

Good I saw this thread. I too picked up a NY:F Mini a week ago, it has a little door you can close over the lock barrel, and I did not know locks needed lube. The lighter, the better? Or will a lock benefit from any lube?

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on July 17, 2012 at 11:31am

Not sure what  the issue is... I don't find it that hard to lube my chains once a year :-)


Duppie said:

Do you work for a or own shares in a lube manufacturer?

I lube my chains a few times in the non-winter months and more often in the winter months, but not nearly as often as you suggest. Rarely have a problem with noise. As far as the wear and tear goes, most chains last numerous thousands of miles before they wear out. The only one that wears out quicker is the one on my winter bike, since it catches a lot of dirt, salt and whatnot.

notoriousDUG said:

You ride a bike and you do not have chain lube?

Oiling your chain once a week, or more in wet conditions, will do wonders when it comes to extending it's life and keeping it quiet.

Adam Herstein said:

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to pick up some chain lube on my way home today.

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