U-Lock - Under the Seat Storage

[pekingduck]

Occasionally I park my CB1100 or Bonneville and want more than the steering lock to put me at ease. A disc lock is okay, but my helmet does not use a D-ring strap, and I don't trust those thin wire loops used for that purpose. I needed a U-lock to pass through my helmet's chin bar and around a wheel and maybe around a pole too.

The Honda U-lock that fits under the seat (08M53-MFL-800) would have been okay, but they aren't available in the US, and aren't cheap at more than $125 plus overseas shipping. And they're likely only a mediocre lock.

The Honda CB1100 has a space set aside for their lock under the seat. The ends of the U-loop plug into the two loops at the back by the seat latch, the legs of the loop lie in dedicated channels stamped into the rear fender. The cross-bar portion usually sits in a cavity just ahead of it. The trouble was finding a lock that would fit in those confines. Anything wider or narrower wouldn't fit or clear the seat.

Fortunately, a friend owns a bicycle shop and carries several brands - Kryptonite, ABUS, OnGuard, and several cheaper ones. Only 2 would fit, both from Kryptonite. Their Messenger Mini ($40 or so) has an 11mm diameter shackle. The Messenger Mini has a bent foot on one end of the shackle, so it would not slide into the 2 loops at the rear but still fit in the space fine. You can also get it with an optional loop for more flexibility (Messenger Mini+) as pictured.

The New York Standard was wider, and I had to cut one of the loops (see pics) so it would sort of slide in. It's loop was exactly the right length, but the crossbar piece needed to be stored in the tool compartment. The New York Standard ($80 or so) has a 16mm shackle, and weighs a hefty 4.5 pounds.

I ended up getting both, with the Messenger Mini for my Triumph.