Where is the Key number?

[BigGuy]

I'm wondering if this is even the correct ignition? If I remember correctly a number can also be found on the back of the helmet lock? I will have a look today.

[BigGuy]

[silverstrom]

Looking at my original Yamaha keys here I have some with no markings and some do. A34611, B32617.

I think your ignition photo suggests key blank B with 410 being the tumbler set.

[JonW]

I will photo mine and put it up here as well...

[BigGuy]

I'm wondering if this is even the correct ignition? If I remember correctly a number can also be found on the back of the helmet lock? I will have a look today.

Not sure if the helmet lock number is even relevant to this discussion? The number on mine is 4L1? Not what I expected to see?

[BigGuy]

Looking at my original Yamaha keys here I have some with no markings and some do. A34611, B32617.

I think your ignition photo suggests key blank B with 410 being the tumbler set.

Thanks for the reply John. So if I understand this correctly I would at least need a "B" blank Yamaha key and get that cut to this lockset? Alternatively I could hope to find a set of genuine Yamaha keys with "B410" on them?

[JonW]

Seeing 4L1 is very bizarre, thats Yam code for RD250LC.... and that lock doesnt fit the LC at all, Weird.

Yam keys have more numbers than B410, 2 more digits.... or no letters at all for earlier keys, eg:

c24421
F69520
3638
3533

[BigGuy]

That is interesting? Obviously someone has messed around with these locksets?

[silverstrom]

I just looked a couple of ignition switches here. Both were clearly stamped on the bottom with a letter and five numbers.. A12345 and B34567 for example. The same letters and numbers were stamped on the keys.

[JonW]

Hmm... interesting...

Ive pulled out my ignition switch and these are the pics, its very much like BigGuy's... its a '411' and has 'B1' on it...



Im now starting to think this is an aftermarket unit, this pic really makes me think that. Why would Yamaha have a 'YM-4' on their parts, thats the sort of aftermarket part number i would expect, not from OEM suppliers.



The only confusing things now are the age of the unit (faded decal etc), the 'AD' marking and the quality of the unit which feels very OEM.

One thing that my mind keeps returning to is the conversation with the PO. He said the ex wife kept the keys and that he took it to a locksmith to get new keys. Im now wondering if that was his memory vs reality. Perhaps he took the bike there and the locksmith replaced the ignition and keyed the other locks the same, or perhaps he got his own aftermarket ignition and the locksmith story was to do with the rekeying of the other locks... who knows, and its a moot point. It works fine and one key fits all (tho thats not hard as we know) but it will bug me i suspect lol

[JonW]

I do know that the Aussie and Canadian RZ500s are pretty much the same bike, ie more related than the Euro and UK bikes, but its interesting the pics of BigGuy's and my ign have the cable grip on the very bottom and a moulded area around the screw there. None of my other 250/350 RZ and LC ignitions look like this, they all look like the other pics of the ignitions shown by other people, they are frankly Brazilian by comparison along that lower edge!

[tacky1]

The ignition was deffo off before, They replaced the security bolts with 8mm bolts...

[JonW]

Good spot!

[ixe13]

Yam bikes of the area all used some variation of this main switch , some with different cable length , some with shorter or longer neck . You can have a switch from a different bike
or a pattern one . It's much easier to get a blank key and make your own key cut , it take 10 min. and you can switch the tumblers to get a matched set .

[jackson.40]

If your ignition switch has YM-4 it’s a factory fit switch

It should have a white electric plug,if it’s red a 350ypvs switch has been fitted

You can buy a decal for the top of the switch to tidy it up