My front brake lever is bit bent after the bike falling over .. I am guessing trying to bend it back is a no no because of fatigue in the alloy ... shall I just buy a new one??


Jules

 

Not neccessarily - if you can find someone to heat the lever, you may be able to straighten it.
If it doesn't work, THEN buy a new lever...

 

I have a blow torch Pete .. do you think that would be enough?? ..

Jules

 

buy a new one it will break or melt

 

Yup - ideal

 

There is normally no problem to re-bend an alumin part once. I've done it with a clutch lever that looked like a U, and a foot brake lever that looked like an S. The race guys bend back stuff all the time...What I did to re-bend the clutch lever was to put a 1.5" ID pipe over it, and the bended it bit by bit by having a piece of woodbetween the handle bar and the lever. Just make sure you don't get any nicks,try to reshape the lever gradually to restore the original shape. Finally, inspect the lever closely to make sure there are no crack or parts of the lever that look granulated (matt finish)after the reshaping. Do not heat the lever.

Did the rest of the bike survived?

 

A new one it is then ... knowing me I would set myself or the bike or both on fire!! ..lol


Jules

 

Check two posts up. A picture of the lever would also help to see if it is worth the trouble to re-bend.

 

I will go and take a picture later :-) .. I can still reach it but it's obvious to look at ... here is how the rest of the bike faired .. she was perfect before this ... I so need to get her right again ..

https://cbrforum.com/m_562469/tm.htm


Jules

 

The best way to make sure you don't melt alloy when heating it up is to rub some liquid soap on to it first.

When the metal has got to workable temperature - the soap goes black.