Ignition barrel
 

my ignition key has been refusing to turn in the barrel over the last week or so.
this has made starting the bike a bit hit or miss.
I had plenty of WD40 down it and it seemed to free it up a bit but then Ive just read todays MCN page 41 and there is apparently a known fault with the ignition barrel wearing out and once it starts doing it it wont be getting any better.
Has anyone else had this issue?
My warranty runs out in a month and Yamaha have said if I get it to a dealer they will look at it - trouble is there are NO yammy dealers within a 100 miles of me (Cumbria) and I dont want to go to a dealer just for them to see the key is stuck and then tell me they need to order the part in and can I come back in a week.

Have you read http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?...gnition+barrel

Some pointers with what other folks have done but looks like replacement is best option.

Sandman.

Mines been like that for a while. I squirt a bit of chain lube down it as that's all I have. Makes it good for a while. Shouldn't use WD-40 as that will ultimatly clean it out and makes it worse.

Youre suppose to use graphite but im lazy i give it a squirt of chain lube once a month or when it get tricky to take the steering lock off .works a treat saves all the hassle of replcement to find the new one does the same

Ignition
 

Cheers for the replies gents.
I did put ACP50 in the lock ages ago but thought that made the lock a bit sticky that's why I washed it out with WD40.
It seems to be working ok now.
Yet Another issue with the XT....
And with no dealer within 100 miles of me I think my next bike WONT be a Yamaha!

You will find that if you ease the key forward (towards the 'off' position) and then gently turn the key to the 'on' position, it will move without difficulty.
That's what I do and it works well.:icon_smile: