No matter how well you watch over your motorcycle key, mistakes can happen. Losing your motorcycle key is always frustrating, as it can leave you stranded. That said, there are many motorcycle key replacement options.
Don’t let a missing motorcycle key ruin your entire day. A locksmith can usually provide riders with an emergency motorcycle key as long as they provide the right information.
Read on for tips on what to do when you’ve lost your motorcycle key.
Find the code on the cylinder
If you’re looking for an older motorcycle model, you might notice several of them don’t come with ignition keys. This is fairly common and no cause for emergency, as you’ll just need to have a locksmith make a new motorcycle key.
To do this, you first need to find the cylinder code located on the motorcycle’s ignition cylinder. You can usually find this on the instrument cluster, somewhere between the speedometer and tachometer. The code should be somewhere around four digits.
After finding the code, take a picture with your phone, and head to your local locksmith. They should be able to look up that code and make a replica key.
Bring your ignition cylinder to a locksmith
For whatever reason, you may have trouble finding the cylinder code on your motorcycle. One of the other options for motorcycle key replacement involves bringing your entire ignition cylinder to a local locksmith.
If you’re worried about damaging your ignition cylinder, have a local mechanic remove it for you. After doing so, bring the device to your locksmith, and let them examine it. They will then make an emergency motorcycle key by first creating a mold of the cylinder’s lock.
Since this method is a bit more complicated than simply bringing in a cylinder code, it usually costs more. That’s why it’s good to call your locksmith ahead of time for an estimate.
Contact the dealership
This is usually the last option for motorcycle riders because it’s more expensive than working with a locksmith. When working with the dealership, you’ll have to first find the vehicle’s VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number. This number, which is distinct to every vehicle, is usually located somewhere on the steering neck.
Next you’ll need to gather proof of ownership to show the dealership, as they won’t provide you an emergency motorcycle key otherwise. Be sure to contact the dealership first and see what specific documents they require, which may include the vehicle’s title, registration and receipt.
After bringing all the right documentation to the dealership, they should be able to make you a new key without much problem.
Work with a good locksmith
Working with a good locksmith will ensure you get a fair price on your new emergency motorcycle key. At Artie’s Lock and Key, we provide our services to drivers all over Fairfax, VA. As long as you have all the right information, we can offer you a variety of motorcycle key replacement options to meet your needs. Reach out today to learn more!
It’s something most drivers have done at some point. Locking your keys in your car is not only annoying but dangerous in many situations. That’s why it’s important to know what to do when locking your keys in the car.
There are professional locksmiths who specialize in emergency car door lockouts. You should contact one of them right away or use one of the methods mentioned below.
Will roadside assistance unlock my car?
When wondering what to do when locking your keys in the car, many people ask if roadside assistance will help. While this can depend on your exact policy, roadside assistance will help unlock a car door in most situations. That said, it could take a while for a roadside assistance professional to reach your location.
It’s important to check your roadside assistance policy carefully before signing any documents. If you’re worried about the potential of locking your keys in your car, be sure the policy covers emergency car door lockouts.
Unlocking a car door with a clothes hanger
Using a clothes hanger is a tried-and-true method of unlocking a car, though it only works with older vehicles. All you need is a wire coat hanger and a pair of pliers. Use the pliers to untwist and straighten the clothes hanger. Just make sure to leave the hook alone.
After unraveling the clothes hanger, slide it into the window, hook first. This part takes some finesse, as you’ll need to hook the control arm. Pull on the control arm once you’ve hooked it, and the door should open.
Unlocking a car door with your phone
These days, technology can help open your car door. For many newer vehicles, you can download an app that allows control of several vehicle components. With these apps, drivers can unlock and lock their doors as well as start their cars. Check with your manufacturer to see if there’s an app available for your vehicle.
When to contact the police
There are some situations in which it’s best to contact the authorities if you’ve locked your keys in your car. For example, if you’ve accidentally locked a child or pet in the car, contact the police right away. The police or fire department will likely get there much more quickly than a locksmith would.
Get in touch with a local locksmith
In most cases, the quickest and easiest way to open a locked car door is by working with a professional locksmith. A professional locksmith has all the right tools to open a locked car door without breaking windows or other components. Be sure to only hire locksmiths with many years of experience and good reviews.
At Artie’s Lock and Key in Fairfax, VA, we have a team of experienced locksmiths who can come to your location as quickly as possible to get you out of a sticky situation. Our services include emergency car door lockouts, ignition repair, key duplications and replacements and key fob replacement. Contact us today for all your locksmithing needs.
Choosing the right access system for your Fairfax, VA business depends on a number of factors. Whether you’re protecting a business, school, hospital, parking garage or other facility, you need to make sure that your system can handle multiple users, intrusion attempts, access control technology updates and more. Working with an experienced locksmith can ensure that you get the appropriate system for your specific needs.
Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing your access system.
Why choose an electronic access system?
Physical locks and keys are a time-honored access control system, but they have their flaws. First, keys can be lost, copied or stolen, which means it’s harder to verify exactly who has access to your building.
There’s also no way to put a time limit on when a person can enter the facility, unless you plan to rekey each lock every time someone gets fired or otherwise has their access revoked. For large-scale operations, this is not only impractical but expensive.
Additionally, someone has to be in charge of keyholder management, and if there are multiple access points, each employee or manager will need to carry around multiple physical keys.
Electronic access systems solve all of these problems, whether you use key cards, keypads or biometrics. It’s much easier to control who has access to your building—and for how long.
Types of access control systems
There are three broad categories of access systems:
Autonomous systems: These systems have internal memory and do not need external software or intelligence to operate. They may not offer remote management, and their capacity to handle large numbers of users may vary.
Online systems: Online systems use a remote server to handle access control operations. When someone enters a code, swipes a key or uses biometrics, the information is sent back to the server. If the access is approved, the server sends a signal to unlock the barrier.
Distributed intelligence systems: These types of systems use a controller to grant access. When access is granted, the information is sent to the server and controller to record and report the event. When the communication is down, the server records the event.
Other things to consider
In addition to the type of access control system you choose, there are other things to consider. For example, you may want your access control to integrate with CCTV and other surveillance equipment, including intruder and fire alarms. This will create a robust security system that ensures only authorized personnel get into the protected areas—and it also makes it much easier to revoke their access when necessary.
To choose the right access system for your business, you want to work with an experienced system designer and installer. They’ll have the latest access control technology updates in Fairfax, VA, so you can rest assured that you’re getting a top-of-the-line access control system.
What makes up an access control system in Fairfax, VA? While they’re tailored to the individual needs of the organization or individual, there are four main elements that every access control system has in common. When building or designing access control technologies, it’s wise to work with experienced locksmiths—they’ll help you determine which technologies are easiest to use and most logical for your needs.
Read on for an overview of the four key elements of an access control system.
Access control barrier
The first element you’ll need is an access control barrier. This could be anything from a locked door to traffic barriers commonly seen in parking garages. You might use a fence and gate as a barrier, walls or whatever your business requires to keep others out.
The type of barrier you choose will depend on your location’s physical requirements. Naturally, barriers to keep out vehicles will look different than barriers to keep out foot traffic. Consider where you’ll be placing the barrier and what kind of security concerns you want to address.
Access control verification or identification equipment
Next you’ll need to determine what kind of verification or identification equipment you’ll need. Key cards and keypads are popular, since they’re easy to carry around or memorize. Again, the type you choose depends on your specific needs. In a hospital, you might use key cards to keep out unauthorized personnel or visitors, while a simple code entered into a keypad can be used in retail facilities.
When deciding which kind of verification or identification equipment to use, give serious consideration to safety and security: Can your employees share cards and codes with each other, or will that present another security issue? For example, if you want to protect your retail store’s stockroom, a code is often shared between employees. In other facilities, however, you might need to choose personalized access codes for each employee or visitor. Biometric systems can be a great way to address these needs.
Access control panel to control the barrier
You’ll also need a control panel to control the barrier and determine who is allowed access. Choose a control panel that will grow along with your facility, since you’ll need to maintain a database of authorized personnel.
Communication structure to connect each element
The final piece of your access control technologies is the communication structure, which transmits information between each element above. Your locksmith or access control system designer will recommend the right type of communication structure for your specific access control system.
Security is important, especially in this day and age, so it makes sense to get a state-of-the-art access control system to protect your business.
When you need experienced locksmiths and access control technologies in Fairfax, VA, call Artie’s Lock and Key. We can design, install and program access control systems for your office, hospital, retail facility, apartment complex and more. No matter what the size and scope of your system, we’re ready for the job. Call us today to get started.
When you hear the word “safecracking,” images of a burglar trying to break into a safe or bank vault probably come to mind. While attempted robbery certainly is one type of safecracking, there is also perfectly legal safecracking that can be performed by a professional locksmith. This post will teach you the ins and outs to expand your safecracking knowledge.
Illegal safecracking techniques
The most common safecracking method involves drilling a hole into the face of the lock and then using a rod to push or bend the lock’s levers out of place. Once the levers are out of the way, the robber can easily open the safe and steal the money, documents or other items inside.
Another method is lock manipulation, where the safe is opened without defacing the lock or safe. We see this technique used in heist movies, where the character will open the lock by listening to the lock’s contact points while moving the wheel. What the movies don’t show, though, is that this technique requires a ton of time, patience and safecracking knowledge.
Essentially, the robber must carefully listen to the lock to determine its contact points, mark the results and finally try a number of possible combinations until the lock finally opens. This method can take hours, so it’s not the preferred method for bad guys.
A robber can also use oxy-acetylene torches or plasma cutters to bore through the actual safe. While this method doesn’t require as much time, it does create a ton of smoke, which can alert the authorities that something fishy is going on.
Safecracking penalties
Whether it’s opened with a plasma torch or drill or through lock manipulation, unauthorized safecracking is undoubtedly a crime. Safecracking carries the same penalty as burglary under Virginia law, so the penalties can be severe. Depending on what’s stolen, the burglar can spend years locked up in a federal prison.
Under Virginia law, safecracking also refers to the act of stealing the safe and then opening it at a different location. So even if the burglars don’t take the time to open the safe at the business, they’re still committing the same crime later on.
Legal safecracking
Safecracking can also be a legal practice if it’s performed by a reputable locksmith. Pros will often use the lock manipulation technique mentioned above instead of drilling, but if the safe must be drilled, pros follow quite a few safety tips with safecracking to prevent permanently damaging the safe or destroying the contents stored inside.
Don’t try to open your safe by yourself
It takes years of practice and training for a locksmith to open safes successfully without causing any damage. Needless to say, it’s not a DIY job! So, if you find yourself locked out of your safe, call our team at Artie’s Lock and Key. We follow all safety tips with safecracking to ensure we don’t damage your safe or your precious belongings.
Whether you have a commercial safe or a personal one, hire our team to open it quickly and efficiently.
