When I worked at a GM dealership we could send the VIN to GM and they would provide us with the code needed to cut a key. This request was processed by the parts department through the GM supply chain protocols. Because this was being used by many auto-theft rings, working in conjunction with parts counter employees who were being paid off to supply key codes, GM went to a system where the driver's license and registration of the vehicle had to be faxed to GM with the request. GM would check with police or the local licensing authority to make sure that this person was indeed the current owner of the vehicle. If they were, GM would provide the dealer with the code needed to cut a new key.
Overtime this became so cumbersome and time consuming that, and also due to complaints to GM from police departments, GM stopped providing key codes to anyone including their own dealership network. If the customer did not have the key code they were given when they purchased the car new or they did not have a key that could be copied, we would have to replace all of the lock cylinders or remove them and re-code them to a new key.
I have no idea about the motorcycle industry because I have never had to do this for a motorcycle. I would not be surprised to hear that they follow a similar process however.
There is a secondary issue that may or may not make this more complicated depending on what Honda actually stamps on the cylinder, if they actually do so. GMtech94 above in post # 12 states that they do. Maybe he can also tell us if what is stamped on the ignition cylinder is the actual code needed to cut the key- often referred to as a biting code. If that is the case then it is very simple to cut a new key with this code- if you can find someone who has a machine that cuts keys using this code. If you can, it is a simple matter of entering the code in to the machine in the correct sequence and cutting (biting) a new key using that code. The GM key biting machine that we used was similar to what is pictured below to give you an idea.
There is the possibility that what Honda stamps on the cylinder is what is called a blind key code. This code can not be used to cut a new key. It is a code that must be looked up in a secondary data base that contains tables that will correlate that blind code to the actual key biting code. This biting code is what will be used to cut the new key. Having never needed to do this on a Honda motorcycle, I don't what which code they stamp on their cylinders. I also have no idea if this correlation can only be done by Honda or if locksmiths also have access to these tables.
Since you already have a functional key, my suggestion as the easiest course of action is to take that hey to a locksmith who is familiar with Honda motorcycle keys and locks. Asking the motorcycle dealers in your area what locksmith they deal with is a good place to start. Any competent locksmith who has vehicle specific knowledge and experience will be able to read your key and tell you what the biting code is. There is significant enough of a difference between each graduation of the key code that, in my experience, if a key is worn sufficiently that it will cause a locksmith to get an incorrect reading then the key was most likely no longer working anyway. So, if your key still works properly, a locksmith should be able to read the original key biting code off of it. You can then find some one who has a key biting machine to make you a key using the code if you don't want to simply copy the key that you have.
Another option for you is to contact a locksmith who is also an ST1300 owner and therefore has this familiarity already. There is one such person who is a member of this forum. His screen name on this forum is
EJay. When he initially joined this site he offered his services including coding work- see the first post of this thread,
Keys and locksmithing : X265, HD109, special requests, etc..
If you have had no luck otherwise, you might try contacting him and maybe he can help you out.
Good luck and post back what you find out. I would appreciate knowing how the Honda key code system works.
