Conference csc32::fxrs89::cycles

    Does anyone have any updated info regarding locks, chains and cables?
    
    Seems someone(s) who wishes to remain anonymous has taken an interest in my 
    bike.  As a result, I've taken an interest in him/them.  And, while I
    would love to meet him/them, I have the feeling I won't be home when
    they visit again. 
    
    So, need to upgrade my protection systems.  Was thinking of maybe disc 
    locks and a chain/cable of some kind.
    
    Bill

    Bill,

	I noticed in my Overton's Marine catalog last night that microwave
motion detectors are available for boats intended to keep people's hands
out of the interior of the boat for the old grab-snatch-and-run. Maybe
something similiar would work on a bike. Let me know if your interested
and I'll bring in the catalog.

Rick

Geez, you mean to tell me even our subdued "little" Yamahas aren't safe?

    Performance Bike did a review of types of protection (and what is legal
    and what wold get you arrested).
    
    How about paint mines? Yes mines!
    
    A simple disc lock will not stop them, in fact nothing will. your first
    priority should be fixing the bike to a wall/pole or other immoveable
    object.  various steel contraptions are on sale that are concreted into
    the floor to provice a fixed point. 
    The afore mentioned motion sensor is a good idea (PB showed
    this device that sets of an -empty- shotgun shell, how 'bout that for creating a
    bang)
    
    Engraving/marking the Vehicle Identification Number on prominent places
    (frame forks inside body panels etc) and displaying a sticker o that
    effect wil deter the thieves who are after it for parts (standard your
    bike only has markings on the engine and a little plate). Having
    markings on other high value parts (carbs) will make it risky for the
    thieves to possess or try and sell them.
    
    
    But if despite Kryptonite and alarm system they want yours, it is gone
    (been there...)
    
    Flying Dutchman

    The best locking system on the market is called Cobra-Links. They're
    expensive but it'll take a cutting torch or powered cutoff grinder to
    defeat it.
    
    Dano'

    
    Bill,
    
    Sorry to hear about your woes. I know I am constantly worried about my
    bikes in the shed. Not too hard to break into. So far I have not had any
    undesired attention that I have noticed. Right now I am using
    Kryptonite Disc locks on mine with the shed locked all the time.
    
    The news had something real interesting last night where a man used a
    baby monitor which awoke him as his car was being broken into. I guess 
    he then called the police, video taped, and confronted the dude with a
    BB gun. The police came and made an arrest. Confronting a thief with a BB
    gun is IMHO not very smart! :-( However, video taping for identification
    is if it can be set up.
    
    Cobra-Links sound interesting Dano.
    
    Alpo

    I'll second the Cobra Links - them suckers is BUILT!  My 6 footer is
    heavier than the max allowed weight the Tour Pac trunk is supposed to
    hold.  I got it shortly after a brand new Kryptonite cable lock failed
    on me - fortunately it died in the unlocked position.
    
    When at home, the bike I worry about has the Cobra Links cable run
    through the frame and around a lally column.  A professional can still
    get the bike, but I hope he cuts himself in the process!
    
    When on the road, try to find something substantial to chain the bike
    to.  I've heard of an un-marked tow truck lifting a bike high enough to
    slip the chain over the parking meter the bike was chained to, and
    bye-bye bike, it was gone in seconds.
    
    My biggest complaint about the Cobra Links is it does not coil up very
    tightly and thus is very bulky.  Keeping the links well-oiled seems to
    help.
    
    Let's be careful out there!
    

    Thanks for the inputs.  Yeah, I'm really bumming about this.  I've kept
    the bike in this location for a few years now, with no problems.  Now,
    out of the blue, I've got some *sshole(s) with a death wish.  At the
    same time, this person(s) gave me a wakeup call.  Got a little too lax,
    I guess.
    
    Personally, I prefer devices as the Flying Dutchman mentioned.  My
    pesonal preferences are explosive devices which maim and cripple.
    Unfortunately, we've gotten so many bleeding heart liberals into the
    state that such protection is frowned upon.  Ah, the good ole days...
    sigh.
    
    Anyway, Rick, I'll take you up on your offer and drop by to check out
    your catalog.  I'll also look into the Cobra Links.
    
    I agree that if someone really wants it, it's gone.  I don't think
    these are pros.  Pros don't leave calling cards.  You go to your bike,
    and there's a hole where it used to be.  They didn't go that far ---
    yet.  I'm pretty sure it's also someone local.  Bad mistake - for them.
    
    And yes, it's a Yamaha, for Christ's sake - and an older one.  Jeez.
    
    Glad the good weather is pretty much here.  I'd feel bad about my
    girlfriend having to stand guard all night in the cold....  ;-)
    
    Bill

    
    
    Check out an new cable lock made by kryptonite(sp?) call barbed wire I
    think.  It's a cable lock that has a loop on one end and the other end
    can be locked with either a disc lock of U-lock.  It is lighter than
    the cobra links but still lets you secure your bike around a pole etc.
    
    
    
    Scott

    Re -2.
    
    There is a new style of Cobra-links that is thinner and coils up much
    smaller. I saw it in the CCI catalog.
    
    Dano'

    re: .-1
    You're right, I've seen one of the newer ones in a catalog too.
    Those must be a whole lot more managable than the original ones.  I
    wonder if they take trade-ins?  ;^)  I've just learned to live with
    mine - I coil it as best I can on top of the passenger seat and snug it
    down with a cargo net.
    
    About once a year I also oil the thing where the links join - that
    seems to limber it up quite a bit.
    
    Cheers!
    

    	So what's the claim to fame of Cobra links (not having seen them) ?
    Can they not be cut by bolt cutters ? I've seen things said like "bolt
    cutter resistant" about kryptonite locks, which isn't the same as 
    "bolt cutter proof".
    
    	Ray

    I rigged my own alarm and it's connected to the brake light circuit,
    neutral switch and clutch switch as well as a separate magnet switch on
    the battery cover to prevent attempts to remove it.  The control box is 
    from Radio Trash and is armed and disarmed by the ignition key switch
    plus has it's own automatic reset after forty or fifty seconds of
    screaming so it doesn't wear out the battery.  I hooked the output up
    to a Bosh turn signal flasher which runs the horns and used diodes to 
    isolate all the switches so they don't interact with each other in
    normal use.  The box is nice because it has separate inputs for
    grounding AND hot switch inputs. 
    
      I was in Monaco with the Mrs. when someone tried to move her machine.
    We heard it from across the square in the cafe we were in.  By the
    time we got to the scene, the whole marketplace stopped what 
    it was doing and The vendor I parked near, (who was only trying to 
    move it to prevent hitting it with his truck), was scared s--tless
    and screaming in panic. 8^)
    
    Th' sucker worked just fine.
    
    J-
    
    
    

    Cobra-Links are advertised as bolt-cutter proof. It's a bit verbos to
    try and describe them but they are a chain made of cylindrical links.
    The "head" of the chain looks like a cobra's head with a hole bored
    through the middle of it. You stick the end of the chain through the
    head and the head grips the cylindical links. It uses a round-key lock
    like those on vending machines. The links are hard and they are
    supposedly hard-chrome plated. Bolt-cutters just can't get a grip on
    them.
    
    Dano'\

    Also, the larger Cobra is an inch or so in diameter, so you have to be
    hauling a serious set of cutters to even attempt it.
    
    I think the thinner Cobra has been around for a while; when I bought
    mine several years ago, I had a choice.
    
    - Roger