Abus Granite 54 lock problem

"Victor" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks,
someone tried to steal my Specialized Rockhopper by breaking the Abus lock
I
have on it. I am now stuck with a bike that appears to have a broken
drill
bit in the lock mechanism. How on earth do I get the lock off. I'm
hoping
I won't have to cut through the bike frame.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Vic

Know anyone with a disc cutter?

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Victor said:

have on it. I am now stuck with a bike that appears to have a broken drill
bit in the lock mechanism. How on earth do I get the lock off.

Angle grinder will go through anything given time. Probably hire-able
from any tool hire place - tell them you want a metal cutting disk on
it. Make sure you wear gloves and goggles and don't have dangling
clothes or jewellery.

regards, Ian SMith
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Victor said:

Hi folks,
someone tried to steal my Specialized Rockhopper by breaking the Abus lock I
have on it. I am now stuck with a bike that appears to have a broken drill
bit in the lock mechanism. How on earth do I get the lock off. I'm hoping
I won't have to cut through the bike frame.
Any suggestions?

If your bike is currently still in a public place, the thieving
scumbags may return for another go. I suggest you remove all removable
parts yourself and/or fit another lock whilst figuring out how to
rescue your property.

Victor said:

Hi folks,
someone tried to steal my Specialized Rockhopper by breaking the Abus lock I
have on it. I am now stuck with a bike that appears to have a broken drill
bit in the lock mechanism. How on earth do I get the lock off. I'm hoping
I won't have to cut through the bike frame.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Vic

Have you got a Bic, Vic?

Eiron said:

Have you got a Bic, Vic?

Surely that's "What's on the end of your Bic, Vic?".

Thanks for advice folks.
I read a security review in a mag a year ago or so. They claimed it took 6
circular saws blades to go through 3/4 of the Abus. They also say the thief
would need to cut through both ends. Is there any powerful industrial saw I
can hire to make sure I get the damned job done?

Thanks

btw what's a bic

Victor said:

someone tried to steal my Specialized Rockhopper by breaking the Abus lock I
have on it. I am now stuck with a bike that appears to have a broken drill
bit in the lock mechanism. How on earth do I get the lock off. I'm hoping
I won't have to cut through the bike frame.

It may be possible to get the drill bit out. How much is protruding?
Enough to get a firm grip with a mole wrench, or needlenose pliers?

The anglegrinder/metal cutting disk plan is a good one, too, and as the
other poster said, wear proper eye protection. I worked with a guy who
lost an eye from not doing so.

I've seen one Fire Brigade come round and play with their big cutters on
a bike lock (lost key), but obviously that depends on availability. (A
donation to the Firefighters' Benevolent Fund probably wouldn't go amiss)

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions?

Have you considered a locksmith?

I tried plucking the drill bit out with pointy pliers but there's no way to
get a good grip on the blasted thing.
However, I like the firebrigade suggestion. I bet the cutters they use to
cut through car wrecks would snap the old Abus. I think I'll give that a go
and see if they are willing to help...

How bloody frustrating. Damn thieves. ;(

Thx again

Victor said:

Any suggestions?

If it's an old Abus (pre 2000), and you can put the lock body on a
suitable anvil (like the floor) then a couple of blows with a moderate
sledgehammer will shatter it. They had a problem with brittleness.

Hiring a petrol disc cutter will shift it, at a cost. An electric
angle grinder (£6 from Screwfix) and a long extension lead might do,
if the neighbours are helpful.

--
Smert' spamionam

"Victor" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks for advice folks.
I read a security review in a mag a year ago or so. They claimed it took 6
circular saws blades to go through 3/4 of the Abus. They also say the
thief
would need to cut through both ends. Is there any powerful industrial saw
I
can hire to make sure I get the damned job done?

Thanks

btw what's a bic

A suitable grinder will deal with steel pretty easily, whether it's hardened
or not.

A circular saw, or any other kind of saw, will be blunted quickly by
hardened steel.
I recommend you find an angle grinder (or stihl saw if no power available),
with a suitable metal cutting disc, and you'll be through the lock pretty
quickly.

moray

Andy Dingley [email hidden] opined the following...

Quoted message said:

If it's an old Abus (pre 2000), and you can put the lock body on a
suitable anvil (like the floor) then a couple of blows with a moderate
sledgehammer will shatter it. They had a problem with brittleness.

This can be ably assisted if you are friends with any one who has access
to liquid nitrogen in the course of their work. Be careful!

Jon

Jon Senior said:

Andy Dingley [email hidden] opined the following...

Quoted message said:

If it's an old Abus (pre 2000), and you can put the lock body on a
suitable anvil (like the floor) then a couple of blows with a moderate
sledgehammer will shatter it. They had a problem with brittleness.

This can be ably assisted if you are friends with any one who has access
to liquid nitrogen in the course of their work. Be careful!

Has this freezing method actually ever been used or is it 100% urban
myth? I know it sounds possible, but it always seems to be a friend who
saw it done...

James
--
If I have seen further than others, it is
by treading on the toes of giants.
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/julesandjames/home/

"Victor" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

btw what's a bic

You jest, I hope!

Bic is a popular make of disposable cigarette lighters, ballpoint pens,
pencils and disposable razors. I'm given to understand that an item from
the above list may assist in picking some locks with cylindrical
barrels. I believe the Bic company took over the Biro firm some time
ago. Lazlo Biro invented the ballpoint pen and died in 1985...

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden]
Edgware.

James Annan [email hidden] opined the following...

Quoted message said:

Has this freezing method actually ever been used or is it 100% urban
myth? I know it sounds possible, but it always seems to be a friend who
saw it done...

I'm seen it demonstrated IRL on rubber (Not the same I know) and I'm
sure I remember a video in school where it was shown. My personal
experience with an aluminium alloy (Old seatpost!) is that heavy cooling
makes it more brittle and my gut feeling (And it is no more than this)
would suggest that steel would react the same way. Especially if it is
already brittle.

Jon

Helen Deborah Vecht said:

"Victor" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

btw what's a bic

You jest, I hope!

Bic is a popular make of disposable cigarette lighters, ballpoint pens,
pencils and disposable razors[...]

....and canoes.

Colin

Liquid nitrogen, Bics whatever next!

Call me old fashioned but I think I'll try the angle grinder first. It
seems to get the most votes. Good old Argos stock a wide range. I guess I
should opt for the 9" version with 2000+ Watts with a diamond blade.

I'll let you all know how long it takes to get through the lock.

Oh, btw, will I have to cut through two parts of the U shape?

On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 22:38:18 +0100, Andy Dingley <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Victor said:

Any suggestions?

Quoted message said:

Hiring a petrol disc cutter will shift it, at a cost. An electric
angle grinder (£6 from Screwfix) and a long extension lead might do,
if the neighbours are helpful.

And, if you do use an electric one make sure there's an RCD at the socket
end of the extension lead.

Colin

Victor said:

Liquid nitrogen, Bics whatever next!

Call me old fashioned but I think I'll try the angle grinder first. It
seems to get the most votes. Good old Argos stock a wide range. I
guess I
should opt for the 9" version with 2000+ Watts with a diamond blade.

I'll let you all know how long it takes to get through the lock.

Oh, btw, will I have to cut through two parts of the U shape?

It depends how much flex there is if you make just one cut. My
Granite+ has a square section U so it won't twists apart when cut. It also
locks at both sides so one half won't drop out when cut. There may,
however, be a bit of flex in it once you've made one cut but whether that
is useful will depend on how the lock is looped through the bike. I guess
you make one cut and then see!

BTW, the parts of lock will be very hot after being cut through so cool it
or wait before touching it.

For a job this big a 4.5" grinder would be okay given enough power and
enough blades---have some spare one's available when you start!

Colin