My bike is attached to a rack in my company's building by a Kryptonite
U-lock. I have lost the key. I have already tried the following:

-Calling Kryptonite to see if they have my key on file. They don't
which is my fault for not registering it in the first place.
-Calling a locksmith. This would be too expensive since it would be a
housecall for them.
-Trying to unlock it using a Bic pen. The model used here is about 8
years old and requires significat torque to unlock.
-Contemplated taking the rack apart. This solution is sunk by the
myriad of logistical issues around dealing with the building staff to
get this to happen.

I'm looking for a feasible solution to removing the lock that will
cost less than US$50 to implement.

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 01 Feb 2005 13:53 PST

Hi bryand_nyc,

I found this information.  If it works for you, please clarify and
I'll post in the answer box.

Not all U locks are good. Those with an extended lock can be removed
by using a crow bar or pipe which fits over the end of the lock to
bend the locking mechanism, which disables it. Note the extended cross
bar.  (photo on left)
http://www.bicyclesource.com/bike/theft/choosing-a-lock.shtml


Best regards,
tlspiegel

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Clarification of Question by bryand_nyc-ga on 01 Feb 2005 19:43 PST

Unfortunately the lock only extends a fraction of an inch past the
'U'. I'm going to make a run to Home Depot tomorrow to look at renting
an angle grinder and/or a tile cutter.

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 01 Feb 2005 20:36 PST

Hi bryand_nyc,,

Thank you for your reply.  


Best regards,
tlspiegel

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 02 Feb 2005 19:09 PST

Years ago, the word on the street was you could pour liquid nitrogen
on the U-bar, and then smack it with a hammer, and it will shatter.  I
never knew if this was real or urban legend.

Have any pals in a college lab that can score you some Liquid N2?

Good luck...

I would try a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel bit. You may have to go
through a bunch of bits and several hours.

I have cut through large bolts in this manner, but not lock steel, so
I can't promise that it will work.

Good luck.

They are designed to resist hacksaws but tile cutting blades go
through the hardened steel easily enough. Easier if you can get a
mains cable into the building and angle grind -- takes about thirty
seconds.

Best

Hello bryand_nyc-ga,

I remember some newspaper articles last fall talking about Kryptonite
U-locks being hacked with Bic pens. If you're lucky, you have one of
those. Here are a couple of links. Good luck.

~ czh ~

http://www.engadget.com/entry/7796925370303347/
Kryptonite Evolution 2000 U- Lock hacked by a Bic pen

http://www.sheller.com/Practice.asp?PracticeID=148
Consumer Class Actions: Kryptonite U-locks

bryand_nyc,

I'd try the bic pen trick again.  Here's a page with links to 3
movies, and another page with details and discussion:

Bike Forums - Your brand new bicycle u-lock is not safe!
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=67493&highlight=Kryptonite+U-Lock+defeat

Bike owner, popular Krypto lock easily picked
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/09/297504.shtml

And at Slashdot
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/09/19/0120225

~~Cynthia