This is a common problem, more so with the 80-84 version of the lock.
There is a small spring inside that breaks. I don't think you will have
any success at opening up the riveted mechanism to fix it. I buy used
ones at the junkyard for about $20 to fix it.

You may find that you can open the door from the outside with the key if
you hold the key turned to unlock while you operate the handle to open
the door. This has always worked for me.

Mark

Karl Ploessl wrote:

> it's not working anymore. To unlock I have to hold up the "locking
> catch" in the inside and then I can use the handle (either inside or
> outside) to open the door. So far, i could not remove the lock as the
> @#$& screws which hold the lock, are resisting. Could anybody share
> light onto this issue if the lock can be fixed, how the mechanism in
> this lock work? A new lock is about $150... Its on a 1981
> --
> Karl
> '81 Westy "Jenny"
> Wilmington, DE
>