Thanks...My '04' roadstar`s key will not release my seat for battery service.. Does anyone Know how to safely lube or in any way get my seat off..I have tried holding seat down as i turn key..

Search the site for a seat release. there is direction on how to make a seat release and how to use it.

On my 01, I had to switch to my back up key. The regular key started the bike and locked it but wouldnt open the seat. So I used my back up key. Once I realized that was the problem I made a copy of the back up key and put it back on the shelf.

I learned this from a different thread. I didnt believe till I tried it.

MS1700 did a great write-up on this with a tool he made with pictures and directions click HERE and you should have more than enough info. Also

I have had the same trouble, be careful! You can destroy the key very easily! Take a piece of coat hanger atleast 10" long and bend a hook on the end with some needle nose (about a 3/8" radius). From the left side of the bike, clutch side, and with the hook you fashioned open toward the rear tire, take the coat hanger and push it under the very front of the seat on top of the frame tube,(if you feel the under side of the seat here you'll notice a sharp bend in the seat pan, you want to be about 1" to the rear of this bend.) You'll be going between the frame tube and the large wire harness. Slide it in until you hit metal, about 4" in, then start fishing. There is a lever under there that the cable release attaches to. When you hook it and pull towards you, the latch will click loose. Good luck and be patient. I managed to do it this way. I have since taken the stiffener out of an old umbrella and made a release with a loop in it which I can grab under my seat with my finger.

I'm sure you already know but when you turn the key don't push in on it. I've had several people new the the Roadies that asked me how to get the seat off. Their problem was that they were pushing the key in. That's only for the steering lock.

When was the last time you had your seat off?
Try snaking a small diameter rigid plastic tube under the nose of your seat and spray WD40 down the tube. Rigid plastic tubing used for plumbing frig ice makers may be about the right size. You may have to try inserting the tube from several angles to get the spray in the right place. The WD40 won't harm anything under your seat.
You might also be able to get to the lock mechanism (to WD 40 it) by remove the 2 covers that are just below the seat on the right and left sides. If you have not taken these covers off before, you have to remove the left cover to be able remove the right cover. After you remove the left cover you can see a small hex screw from the left side under the seat that holds the right cover on (in addition to the bolt on the outside of the cover near the foot peg).
Good luck!
BillD in Michigan

Press down onnthe seat as you turn the key... that is what I have to do with my 04 RS.

I don't think anyone has said to turn the key to the "ON" position first, then turn to the left to open the seat. If that doesn't work, turn back to "ON", then back to the left while pushing down on the front of the seat.

Good luck.

I had the same problem on my 02. i took the side covers off the bike, then if you look close under the seat in the latch area, you will see 2 bolts that hold the latch ring to the seat itself. you can take a wrench (10mm i think) and remove these two bolts. the seat will lift off. then you can manually release the latch. reattach the latch ring to the seat. then lubricate the latch or repair it while the seat is off.