Since I don't have my permit yet for the bike my dad has been riding it around and taking to work and what not. I have been riding some (not as much as I want to), but the bike is MY work in progress while I wait to go get my cycle permit.
Anyways to get to the question, I came home from school to find a strange dint and mark in the tank of the bike. After further exploration I also found the shifter is bent. How much will this cost me (or him)? Can it be repaired?
The pefect tank was one reason we got the bike, now I see real money flying to the bike. I have a list of things to be done, but I don't want this to be at the top...
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hmmm, the tank is a bit tricky. you could possibly have it done by a company that does paintless dent removal. but it's kinda hard to judge how deep that dent is. usually the tank would be split along the seams, dent banged out, then welded back together again and repainted. this is a bit expensive and usually reserved for custom or antique bikes that people have the money to blow.

i have a dent sorta in the same spot from the clipon being bent into the tank. it's kinda shallow so i didn't mess with it. mine was done by the previous owner who low-sided the bike.

as for the shifter. that is an easy fix since it was also caused by the same low-side. you take that bolt off and the small one holding the other end of the shift linkage. take it off, put it in a vice or clamp and bend it back straight, you'll need something to give you more leverage. the metal used to make it is quite easy to bend. do not damage the heim-joint on the linkage as it is pressed onto the shift lever. you could find a left side peg/shifter assembly on ebay for as low as $20. but you could fix it yourself for free.

you could even bend it back out on the bike without removing the shift lever, but it might be a bit more difficult. at least you'll know how far to bend.

hope this helps.

matt

 

Thanks alot. I think we will just leave the tank as it is now and continue with the bike until we get to that point and work from there. As for the shifter. I thought of that same thing, but wanted to make sure it wasn't a stupid idea.

 

there are no stupid ideas, just ones that aren't well thought out.

matt

 

HAHA I haven't heard that one...

 

i have seen a gas tank on ebay for like $50, dont know if its still listed, but that is probably cheaper than getting it fixed.

 

I've been watching ebay, but not sure I saw that. What year bike parts can go on my bike? '87-'90?

 

for the most part 87-90. there are some other parts that are pretty universal, not too many though. i will see what i can track down on ebay for you, can be tricky locating stuff on there.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-...QQcmdZViewItem

here ya go, its only at $1 right now, btu i am sure it will go up some.

 

Thanks alot for the help!