Steering Lock Won't Lock

[Mayakovski]

Hi All;
Does anyone know how to make the steering lock on a V7 III work? I have followed the steps in the manual, push the key in and turn to the left, but it does not turn far and cannot get it to lock the steering. I have giggled and twisted and tried everything short of enough pressure to bend the key.
Suggestions?
Maya

 

[V700Steve]

That's how it's supposed to work. When you push down the pin goes in the hole, turn bars back & forth till pin goes in hole.

 

[Robebop]

try jiggling the handlebars to get them in the right position to accept the lock shaft

 

[Mayakovski]

try jiggling the handlebars to get them in the right position to accept the lock shaft

Yup, that was it. Wasn't jiggling the handle bars.

Thanks all.

 

[Dinsdale Piranha]

I have the exact same problem. I just wiggle and jiggle it (and curse it) and eventually it goes in. I can't find any repeatable event which will make it lock easily every time. I think it has something to do with how you twist your face/mouth.

 

[Godfrey]

Turn the steering almost all the way to the left. Push key down, then turn key to lock position. Works every time.

If the steering is sitting on the left lock limit, it’s too far.

 

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Turn the steering almost all the way to the left. Push key down, then turn key to lock position. Works every time.

If the steering is sitting on the left lock limit, it’s too far.

Sure do wish it was that easy. Like all things Guzzi, every one is different.

 

[Godfrey]

I would say it's probably the same for yours but you have to find the 'magic spot' to turn the steering to. After all, it's nothing but a hole and a pin that have to line up...

I found it on the first day I had Racer. It's far less finicky than the Ducati 907IE I once had, on which when I had it apart I measured the pin and hole and found that there was only .14mm clearance in the hole for the pin to slide in—you were either dead on the money or the pin was NOT going in. I took a rotary grinder to that one and opened up the hole just a little bit so that the lock pin dropped in without so much fussing about...