Top Shelter Lock

[joseph548694]

I think I messed up. I can't figure a way to fix this without breaking the the top shelter, if anyone can help I would be more than appreciative. I removed the lock-ring, lever, and lock from the top shelter, and then for some reason, I don't know why, I closed the top shelter. The latch assembly was still on and unfortunately works just fine. I am so mad at myself. So now I can't open the shelter, and have no idea how to get in. I fished around in there with a cut up clothes hangar for a few hours, but I'm not actually sure how the mechanism works, and since it is a turn of a key my efforts were probably futile anyways.

I suspect I need to start shopping for a new top shelter. Does anyone have any experience at all with this? Help please!

[WingAdmin]

I think I messed up. I can't figure a way to fix this without breaking the the top shelter, if anyone can help I would be more than appreciative. I removed the lock-ring, lever, and lock from the top shelter, and then for some reason, I don't know why, I closed the top shelter. The latch assembly was still on and unfortunately works just fine. I am so mad at myself. So now I can't open the shelter, and have no idea how to get in. I fished around in there with a cut up clothes hangar for a few hours, but I'm not actually sure how the mechanism works, and since it is a turn of a key my efforts were probably futile anyways.

I suspect I need to start shopping for a new top shelter. Does anyone have any experience at all with this? Help please!

The tolerances on the shelter and the latch are not tremendous. You can easily pry the gap open enough that the latch releases.

[joseph548694]

I have not been able to do that without risking damage to the shelter. And the latch is very solid.

[WingAdmin]

I have not been able to do that without risking damage to the shelter. And the latch is very solid.

oops...just realized we were in the GL1000 section. I was thinking GL1100.

Yes, the GL1000 top shelter has an automotive-style latch, it's not shimmable like the GL1100 latch.

I think I would just try removing the shelter altogether, and unlatching it from inside once you have. Two bolts at the front, two under the seat.

[dingdong]

I have not been able to do that without risking damage to the shelter. And the latch is very solid.

oops...just realized we were in the GL1000 section. I was thinking GL1100.

Yes, the GL1000 top shelter has an automotive-style latch, it's not shimmable like the GL1100 latch.

I think I would just try removing the shelter altogether, and unlatching it from inside once you have. Two bolts at the front, two under the seat.

Scott you are still thinking gl1100. The 1000 shelter isn't completely removable like the 1100. The locking top cover has to open in order to get to the knobs that release the "side covers" which hinge down. I tried to post a pic of my latching mechanism but can't seem to upload a picture for some reason. Maybe someone else can get a pic to upload. Easy to release if you can get a pic of how it works.

You might try something stiffer than a clothes hanger. The spring is pretty strong. the release latch moves to the right.

[joseph548694]

Update: I got it open! Fished around in there for 2 minutes after figuring out how the mechanism worked and popped her open.

[dingdong]

Fantastic! good on you.

[joseph548694]

I have not been able to do that without risking damage to the shelter. And the latch is very solid.

oops...just realized we were in the GL1000 section. I was thinking GL1100.

Yes, the GL1000 top shelter has an automotive-style latch, it's not shimmable like the GL1100 latch.

I think I would just try removing the shelter altogether, and unlatching it from inside once you have. Two bolts at the front, two under the seat.

Scott you are still thinking gl1100. The 1000 shelter isn't completely removable like the 1100. The locking top cover has to open in order to get to the knobs that release the "side covers" which hinge down. I tried to post a pic of my latching mechanism but can't seem to upload a picture for some reason. Maybe someone else can get a pic to upload. Easy to release if you can get a pic of how it works.

You might try something stiffer than a clothes hanger. The spring is pretty strong. the release latch moves to the right.

Yeah, if I couldn't get it unlatched I would have had to force it open and ruin the top shelter. There is not any other way to get in there. Something more solid like a scribe would probably have been better than a coat hangar, I really think I just got lucky. I immediately pulled those bolts off so as not to risk closing the danged thing again. You need to move the metal hinged tab to the right laterally as WingAdmin said so it clears the horizontal slot, which will release the latch. It took me a while looking at pictures online to understand how it worked, at first I was trying to pull up or push down hoping that would do something. I did put a small dent in the top shelter though when I was trying to get it off and now it's all I can look at.

[sickradsean]

when i bought my 77 wing the lock on the top shelter was garbage. the key would just spin in the cylinder and do nothing. then one day the whole thing disintegrated and came out with the key! i figured i was ruined until i realized that turning they key turned the little tab on the bottom of the cylinder and thus triggered the latch release. now i just reach in with one finger and turn 90* and POP it opens right up. almost like a built in theft device, no one else would know how to open the thing.