Padlocks will not shift - advice please

[mark seeker]

Many years I securely attached my motorbike to the front of my property and subsequently the bike was never stolen (a couple parts have been lifted and the chains may have been attempted to be broken but the thieves didn't win) - the bike has always survived.

I am now selling my property / moving and need to move the bike, it has sat outside for many years / not moved and I think the padlocks must be rusted together. The keys spin in the locks but they do not move apart. I have tried copious amounts of WD40 and a hammer to loosen, alas to no avail. I'm assuming the only way to remove the chains is to now buy an angle grinder?

I have no experience in using one and to be honest would rather give someone £50 or something to remove them but I don't that is going to be an option.

I do not need an angle grinder for any other purpose or foresee when I might need to use one again, would the items below suffice or does anyone have a plan b?



https://www.toolstation.com/einhell-600w-115mm-ang...
https://www.toolstation.com/dpc-grinding-disc/p433...

[98elise]

mark seeker said:

Many years I securely attached my motorbike to the front of my property and subsequently the bike was never stolen (a couple parts have been lifted and the chains may have been attempted to be broken but the thieves didn't win) - the bike has always survived.

I am now selling my property / moving and need to move the bike, it has sat outside for many years / not moved and I think the padlocks must be rusted together. The keys spin in the locks but they do not move apart. I have tried copious amounts of WD40 and a hammer to loosen, alas to no avail. I'm assuming the only way to remove the chains is to now buy an angle grinder?

I have no experience in using one and to be honest would rather give someone £50 or something to remove them but I don't that is going to be an option.

I do not need an angle grinder for any other purpose or foresee when I might need to use one again, would the items below suffice or does anyone have a plan b?



https://www.toolstation.com/einhell-600w-115mm-ang...
https://www.toolstation.com/dpc-grinding-disc/p433...

Use the two spanner method to open it.

https://youtu.be/dBSSA5ot0tA?si=7-BK1s3JsWQ2xM01

It worked on a padlock on my garage. Took about 60 seconds to open it with no fuss.

Edited by 98elise on Sunday 20th October 16:28

[SHutchinson]

That grinder would be fine. But I'd buy a cutting disc rather than a grinding disc.

[mark seeker]

Many years I securely attached my motorbike to the front of my property and subsequently the bike was never stolen (a couple parts have been lifted and the chains may have been attempted to be broken but the thieves didn't win) - the bike has always survived.

I am now selling my property / moving and need to move the bike, it has sat outside for many years / not moved and I think the padlocks must be rusted together. The keys spin in the locks but they do not move apart. I have tried copious amounts of WD40 and a hammer to loosen, alas to no avail. I'm assuming the only way to remove the chains is to now buy an angle grinder?

I have no experience in using one and to be honest would rather give someone £50 or something to remove them but I don't that is going to be an option.

I do not need an angle grinder for any other purpose or foresee when I might need to use one again, would the items below suffice or does anyone have a plan b?



https://www.toolstation.com/einhell-600w-115mm-ang...
https://www.toolstation.com/dpc-grinding-disc/p433...

[SHutchinson]

That grinder would be fine. But I'd buy a cutting disc rather than a grinding disc.

[mark seeker]

SHutchinson said:

That grinder would be fine. But I'd buy a cutting disc rather than a grinding disc.

Many thanks - appreciate your help, a real bind I wasn't expecting to have to deal with.

[CoolHands]

Padlocks? Just break them with spanners; look it up

[OldGermanHeaps]

Put up a post on facebook, surely one of your neighbours has a grinder or similar you can borrow.

[FMOB]

I would try a pair bolt cutters on a chain link on the padlock, probably softer than the padlock.

Note, if you are using an angle grinder, be careful if there are any windows nearby as the sparks will melt into the glass. If this happens to a windscreen, wipers will only last the first sweep.

[mark seeker]

CoolHands said:

Padlocks? Just break them with spanners; look it up

Just looked, I don't think that will work - one has a seriously heavy duty lock on which is 2 pieces of lock almost squared together, the other is a Oxford lock but it is almost a bolt into the a separate piece (apologies I'm not hugely familiar with the terms, I bought them years ago).

My concern with the angle grinder is that my big chain was Sold Secure gold

[Mercdriver]

Soak it in diesel?

[mark seeker]

SHutchinson said:

That grinder would be fine. But I'd buy a cutting disc rather than a grinding disc.

Along the lines of this?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/norton-stainless-steel-...

[catso]

Don't know what sort of padlock? but spanners won't break a decent one, may not even fit? the only 'proper' bike chain/lock I've got has nowhere to get in as it's all shrouded by the body and the chain when locked.

I'd use a grinder but with a (1mm) cutting disc.

[J6542]

mark seeker said:

SHutchinson said:

That grinder would be fine. But I'd buy a cutting disc rather than a grinding disc.

Along the lines of this?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/norton-stainless-steel-...

Yes and wear goggles, since them 1mm discs are dangerous if they shatter.

[mark seeker]

J6542 said:

mark seeker said:

SHutchinson said:

That grinder would be fine. But I'd buy a cutting disc rather than a grinding disc.

Along the lines of this?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/norton-stainless-steel-...

Yes and wear goggles, since them 1mm discs are dangerous if they shatter.

Thanks - I was looking at either a facemask / visor but will check goggles, this was one job I was really not keen to tackle.

[Neddy Sea Goon]

Whereabouts are you ?

I'm sure one of us could pop round and cut it off with their angle grinder
(me included) to save you the expense of a grinder you won't need again

[tight fart]

What motorcycle is it, and is it for sale?

[OldGermanHeaps]

There is actually an app where you can find local people who are into chains and padlocks and might be able to help with a grinder if you post pictures of you in your biker gear. The app is called grindr.

[s p a c e m a n]

Where abouts in London? I've got a grinder and could do with a spare chain

[mark seeker]

OldGermanHeaps said:

There is actually an app where you can find local people who are into chains and padlocks and might be able to help with a grinder if you post pictures of you in your biker gear. The app is called grindr.

. I guess that could always be my plan B