Key cutting

[FurstyFerret 65]

Lost one of the original keys and didn't realise there wasn't a code with them when I brought (school boy error). 

Had a hatchet-job key cut and chipped from some clown off Facebook. 

 

Probably too late in the game but original key starting to stick in frunck and back box. Anyone know where to get a key cut to dealership standard without the pisstake? Or any recommendations for the issue? 

[Tatts 667]

Timpsons.  They can cut a key and copy the coding from the original to the new one.  Hell of a lot cheaper than dealer prices, and a reputable company.

 

One caveat - not all branches can clone the code, you may have to ring/visit a couple of branches.

 

Think I paid £35 for a new  Piaggio key with the immobiliser coded,  that was a few years ago though.

[jeremyr62 2,557]

17 minutes ago, Tatts said:

Timpsons.

Same here. They cloned the transponder in my VFR1200 key successfully, although I had already had them cut by a  auction site vendor.

[Defender 3,837]

Yes, I've used Timpsons, we've three 'branches' locally, I went to the main one and was told to go one of the 'in store' branches where I met a great bloke who certainly knows his stuff and has successfully cut several bike keys for me including my Givi topbox which was used and only came with one key.

[Empty_Ten 447]

Another for Timpsons.  
 

Lost one of the keys on the MT.  At the time, Timpsons couldn’t supply a replacement OEM key.  Ended up buying an OEM key from Yamaha (and paying through the roof for that privilege), cut by Timpsons and then the Yamaha dealer did the coding.

[fj_stuart 4,753]

Last year I wanted a spare key for my CBF. I went to Timpsons but they didn't have a blank. The guy said that if I could get one he'd cut it. I obtained a blank and returned to the shop. It was a different guy and when I explained the situation he went totally mental. He was in my face saying he'd done this in the past but then the key failed somehow and the customer returned and held a knife to the guy's throat. "So no deal on the cutting?" I enquired. There is a DIY store round the corner from me and they cut it for £2.

So the lesson is....shop local?

[Andy m 23,527]

Timpsons is a huge employer of ex-convicts. I guess you might occasionally get one that isn't bang up (that might be the wrong expression)to date on customer relations. It's a great source of skills regarding locks though.

 

One in the town centre took three goes to get a garage key for the Old Boy. No further charges after the blank and first cut, so can't really complain. The original was a bodged job, wrong blank, so a direct copy sat wrong unless not pushed fully home.

 

I tend to go with the direct approach, ask if they are confident to do it. It's a skill. The unskilled version is the vending machine outside Sainsbury's. 

 

Andy

[Ali10 67]

Hello!

If you are anywhere near Essex , then I would recommend Brights Locksmiths in Southend. I have used them a few times, and they seem to be very knowledgeable and cheap.

Timpsons wanted eighteen pounds to change the button cell in my car fob ; Brights Locksmiths was a fiver. Job done.

 

Last time I was in there , there was a guy who was having a problem with his mercedes fob / lock. Mercedes quoted him £400 for a new code / chip / key , Brights did a work around for £12.50 !

[FurstyFerret 65]

On 09/02/2024 at 12:16, Tatts said:

Timpsons.  They can cut a key and copy the coding from the original to the new one.  Hell of a lot cheaper than dealer prices, and a reputable company.

 

One caveat - not all branches can clone the code, you may have to ring/visit a couple of branches.

 

Think I paid £35 for a new  Piaggio key with the immobiliser coded,  that was a few years ago though.

On 08/02/2024 at 07:52, stever1 said:

Morning all

can anyone suggest a good place for a scotoiler please. The place suggested by the manufacturer is a bit exposed and horizontally.

many thanks

steve 

Thanks to everyone - Timpsons locally had said no but one near work is going to do it. Will let you know the outcome. The dealership was utterly taking the piss, including wanting to charge for a mechanic to "escort" the key to be cut. 

 

Understand people's caution if they own the latest Multistrada or something but a six year old NC with high mileage doesn't justify either the caution or engaging with the thieves at the dealership.

 

Besides a bike like that is nicked for parts (the problem being the parts market/regulation thereof, i.e. it shouldn't cost £36k odd to build an NC from parts bought through Honda) by-passing the key is chump change once the locks are removed.

Edited February 11 by FurstyFerret

[Tatts 667]

1 hour ago, FurstyFerret said:

Thanks to everyone - Timpsons locally had said no but one near work is going to do it. Will let you know the outcome. The dealership was utterly taking the piss, including wanting to charge for a mechanic to "escort" the key to be cut. 

 

 

Cheers for updating this.  I'm sure you'll have a positive outcome whilst saving a small fortune.

 

I was skeptical first time using them, and I've had many arguements on Piaggio forums - with the consensus that only a dealer can code a key.  Wrong.  

[Tatts 667]

On 10/02/2024 at 07:24, Andy m said:

Timpsons is a huge employer of ex-convicts.

Just seen this!  How did you know that?

 

One of the Lifers I used to supervise is now an area manager or something like that, done really well for himself and turned his life around.

[jeremyr62 2,557]

10 minutes ago, Tatts said:

with the consensus that only a dealer can code a key. 

Well that's probably partly true. Timpson's are not coding a key to the ignition. They are cloning an existing key. The end result is a functioning key so it makes no difference to the utility. You can only code 4 HISS keys to the ignition, but you can make as many clones as you want.

 

You can make a loom to code keys to the HISS ignition. I did this with my NC.

However, I got my VFR1200 HISS  key cloned at Timpsons.

[jeremyr62 2,557]

On 10/02/2024 at 07:24, Andy m said:

Timpsons is a huge employer of ex-convicts.

Rather admirable of Timpsons if true. 

Which it is.

https://reasonstobecheerful.world/employment-exoffenders-prisoners-timpson-uk/#:~:text=More than just your go,but of serving prisoners%2C too.

Edited February 11 by jeremyr62

[FurstyFerret 65]

29 minutes ago, jeremyr62 said:

Rather admirable of Timpsons if true. 

Which it is.

https://reasonstobecheerful.world/employment-exoffenders-prisoners-timpson-uk/#:~:text=More than just your go,but of serving prisoners%2C too.

Thanks for raising my awareness about that website, good to read good news also. My understanding of Timpson's is that they are a good employer and the staff appreciate that. 

 

A few jobs ago in a galaxy... I worked directly with ex-offenders and agree with and support Timpson's approach. The old adage of "there go I but for the grace of [insert belief system]" certainly came across, along with the understanding that our current system is broken.

 

Cheers

[Andy m 23,527]

1 hour ago, Tatts said:

Just seen this!  How did you know that?

I recall it was on the Radio. When lucky I get a lot of Radio time in the repmobile.

 

It's a very successful and admirable business model apparently, very much win-win for the company, the employees and society.

 

Andy

[Trev 18,630]

I met John Timpson about 20 years ago, he was one of the speakers on a business growth programme I had signed up to. Extremely knowledgeable, likeable yet driven person who had a clear plan for his business and how he wanted to implement it.

I used to do a lot self development stuff back then, including having a couple of mentors over a 15 year period, and met some interesting people. The thing that stood out the most was the desire to keep growing personally and not to shy away from new experiences and self growth. It's not easy running and growing a business, hers off to those that take on the challenge.