Stealing my bike

[YarisSi]

Someone tried to steal my bike a few days ago but didn't quite manage it. I use a D lock that is easily over 20 years maybe 30 years old and is slightly different to the new type because one end of the D is longer and sticks through the cross bar a couple of inches. This probably stopped it getting nicked but its also the problem because the cross bar is now jammed slightly diagonally and I can't even turn the key in the lock.

So how should I break the lock?
Ideas so far are:
Hacksaw - Take a long time - have to buy
Grinder - Dad can bring electric one up at half-term but he need to make trip up and back just to do that
Car jack - Apparently stick it in and force it open - I need to find someone to lend me one.
Thermite - only kidding - don't want to burn hole in my bike or bike stand.

Any other ideas?
Drilling the lock out is not likely to work as expect it will be hardened and quite a bit of metal to drill out. Its not a round serated type key so bic pen won't work.

[eccles]

cut a slot in the frame of the bike.....

[scorp]

I'd go with the grinder. Hacksaw would take forever, and prising it off risks damage to the bike frame.

[mutt k]

Hire a grinder for a day from your local HSS, or tool hire place. Shouldn't cost the earth

[alfaman]

freezing spray , then whack it with a heavy hammer .

[police state]

decent pair of decent boltcutters will slice through it.

[speedychrissie]

YarisSi said:

the cross bar is now jammed slightly diagonally and I can't even turn the key in the lock.

do you mean that it has been pulled so that it is jammed against the frame of hte bike? if so, why cant you just hit it hard so that it unjams and hten you can use the key!

otherwise, bolt cutters or grinder.

[touchingcloth]

Chuck Norris?


Sorry, just can't help introducing him into every post at the moment

[tallbloke]

YarisSi said:

Grinder - Dad can bring electric one up at half-term but he need to make trip up and back just to do that Any other ideas?

Aldi had some angle grinders under a tenner last time I checked them out for bargain tools.

[ohopkins]

Been there done that.

Dont bother with a hacksaw. You will need about 20 blades.

3 1/2 inch metal cutting wheel from hireshop is what you want.

[m1spw]

tallbloke said:

YarisSi said: Grinder - Dad can bring electric one up at half-term but he need to make trip up and back just to do that Any other ideas? Aldi had some angle grinders under a tenner last time I checked them out for bargain tools.

But realistically how long is that going to last?

[bluespanner]

Long enough to do the job

[Muncher]

Carry the bike to campus and get one of many builders there to lop it off with an angle grinder for a pint

[FunkyNige]

Thermite.
Just have a bucket of water handy

[YarisSi]

Thank you all for your replies.
Chuck Norris is currently on vacation and I can't wait for him to get back.
The hacksaw was going to be a pay I had images of me slowly sawing slower and slower till I was frozen and huddle by my bike.
Muncher if I could carry it then I think they may of been able to steal it - its attached to a 15ft steel bike rack - I did ask security as they have to remove abadoned bikes every year but they aren't allowed to go off campus and do it.
So I'll go with hacksaw and see how much it costs to hire.
Thank you all for your help and a Merry Christmas (sorry just watched Surviving Christmas)

>> Edited by YarisSi on Thursday 2nd February 19:57

[tallbloke]

m1spw said:

tallbloke said: YarisSi said: Grinder - Dad can bring electric one up at half-term but he need to make trip up and back just to do that Any other ideas? Aldi had some angle grinders under a tenner last time I checked them out for bargain tools. But realistically how long is that going to last?

I've had mine for ages now. It's done a fair bit of duty.

Long enough to cut a bike lock anyway.

Or as someone said, hire shop, one morning plus a disc, fiver.

[Parrot of Doom]

If you're going with the hacksaw, I suggest cutting two grooves, one on the outside edge of each side of the U - and then putting a trolley jack in there.

Or you could just take it to the nearest fire station, with proof of ownership/identity, and ask nicely....

[YarisSi]

I'm obviously a woofter because carrying a bike for over a mile is one thing but carrying a bike with a few bits of large steel and two dollops on concret stuck in the ground for a mile is going to raise some eye brows and hurt a little.

I did think about phoning the AA and saying my vehicle is locked could someone come and opening it for me but I don't think it would work.

[Parrot of Doom]

Ah right, that puts it into context.

I'd seriously reconsider using a hacksaw. The steel will be very tough, it will take ages to do, and your hands will be red raw. If you can get an angle grinder, get one. Just don't forget to wear goggles.

[moosepig]

FunkyNige said:

Thermite. Just have a bucket of water handy

Only if you want to blow yourself up. Use SAND not water to catch the molten iron.