G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Bent lever « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chgojim
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 10:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

my bike was knocked over a few weeks back.

my front brake lever was bent (curled). i have since replaced the parts, and am saving the bent one as a spare. question is....if i heat the lever enough, can it be worked straight?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kowpow225
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 12:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'd be interested to hear the answer as well. I'm guessing the aluminum will behave a little funky when heated up enough to easily bend.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Trojan
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 12:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You can do it but need to heat it VERY gently or it will melt before your eyes : )
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bomber
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 01:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

bend gently, as well -- cast aluminum is very fragile, and, as Trojan sez, doesn't change color when heating (unlike steel) -- you can easily wind up with a nice shiney puddle on the floor
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chgojim
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 01:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

thanks for the info...figure i will give it a try, and worst case scenerio...i melt it and throw it out.

thanks again.

bomber- are you going to be at lakeshore hd on saturday? i'm thinking of riding up, it'd be nice to meet you.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Buellfighter
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 01:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Done this many a time with dirt bike levers.

Held the mount side of the lever with pliers and heated at the gas stove then tapped into shape on the garage floor!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Toona
Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 12:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You can also use a rubber hammer and straiten the lever on a concrete floor without heat.

Don't use a vise to hold the lever, it concentrates the energy from the hammer in one spot and will break the lever. (Don't ask how I know)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Jimidan
Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 11:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Put the lever in a vice and use a butane torch only to heat it, keeping it moving over the entire area to be bent. I slip a short piece of copper pipe over the end and feel for when it starts getting soft then I bend it and remove the heat. I have done this many times with great success. Somehow beating it on a concrete floor with a hammer sounds a bit extreme to me, but hey, its your lever!

jimidan
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chgojim
Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 03:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

thanks for all the help.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Password:
E-mail:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration