Alternate ways of securing (locking) helmet 91+ 750

[geaux]

I don't like having to take my seat off to secure my helmet. I see on ebay multiple locks. Recommend any in particular?

[ariwhiteboy]

Rubberized steel cable bicycle locks that you can pick up at almost any big box stores work well for securing gear. Although I rarely use it, I have one that is long enough to run through my pants leg, jacket sleeve, and helmet then lock around the wheel or luggage rack. 

[flynrider]

   Don't you have an external helmet lock on your left grab bar?  Here's the one on my '93 :




   I thought all of the '91 - '03 Nighthawks had these. 

   The tab that the lock mounts on is welded to the grab bar, so if you don't have that, I don't see an easy way of fitting another lock there.  If I were you I'd search around the 'net for a left side grab bar that already has the lock mounted.  You may have to spend a few bucks at a locksmith to get it re-keyed, but it's a pretty good solution.

[geaux]

ari that sounds like my best option because i'd like to leave my jacket too.

flynrider you got me all excited because it wouldn't be unusual for me to miss a detail like that but bummer no such thing on my 91.

[ariwhiteboy]

I was wondering if that was something different about the 91s...

Geaux, if you want to be really awesome, just buy one of those 6' X 1/2" thick coated steel cables with the loops on both ends and a nice big padlock. 

[flynrider]

flynrider you got me all excited because it wouldn't be unusual for me to miss a detail like that but bummer no such thing on my 91.

  Bummer.  I guess I learned something new.  There are very few differences in Nighthawks from the '91-'03 series.  That appears to be one of the few.  I saw a red '92 model this afternoon and it had the helmet lock on the grab bar.  Looks like '91 may be the only year without it.   Lucky you, eh? 

[marriedman]

My 92 does not have that either. Sucks too because I would like to have something like that. But I like the bicycle chin idea. I might go that route now.

[wjlafrance]

I have a similar looking lock on my 83, but on the right bar. It's kind of awkward to fit a full face helmet in there. I'm 90% positive it's not stock, though.

[geaux]

Ari I have been trying to be REALLY AWESOME for more than half a century and totally failing. If that cable will do the trick I'll be on it tomorrow 

[coffee_brake]

Pistol lock, it's a little shorter than a bicycle lock but still enough to go through a jacket sleeve and helmet ring.

I just choose it because it doesn't tangle all over everything else in the bag. Plus every pistol we buy comes with one, so they're common around here.

They're still not even $10 at any store that sells ammo....

[NHPep]

Pistol lock, it's a little shorter than a bicycle lock . . . I just choose it because it doesn't tangle

Good suggestion, I need to look into those.  The coiled bicycle cables drive me nuts.

[jerjohn]

If youre just locking your helmet up why not just get a master lock with the long arm. Just run it through your d ring, then around the grab bar, and sncick, done.

[bajakirch]

I have a similar looking lock on my 83, but on the right bar. It's kind of awkward to fit a full face helmet in there. I'm 90% positive it's not stock, though.

Interesting. I believe we have the same bike (83 550) and mine only has the under-seat locks.

[geaux]

coffee_brake knows stuff. I think  got a couple of those around.

[wjlafrance]

I have a similar looking lock on my 83, but on the right bar. It's kind of awkward to fit a full face helmet in there. I'm 90% positive it's not stock, though.

Interesting. I believe we have the same bike (83 550) and mine only has the under-seat locks.

Yeah, I don't think mine's stock. I actually never met the PO. My dad just picked the bike up for me, so I wasn't there and my dad didn't have the sense to ask the guy for anything except the title (no papers, maintenance history, any trouble, etc).