Straightening bent clutch/brake levers

[Crasherfromwayback]

Dunno about you guys/girls...but one of my pet peeves is bent levers on a bike. They pull in at a funny angle...they make the whole ride awkward and unpleasant. Sometimes even dangerous. So here's a tip for you..so you can straighten them rather than having to fork out for a (sometimes well expensive) new one.

The spares manager at work would choke if he saw this...but this is for the riders that simply can't afford a new one...and want it sorted until they can.

Acc levers are not covered by this tip...as the alloy they're made of is shite.

But I've NEVER snapped a genuine lever doing this. Some people recommend using heat. Bollocks. Do it cold.

Remove the lever (funnily enough)...place it on a solid bit of timber. Using a soft hammer/mallet...bash it back straight with a series of small hits rather than belting the fuck out of it.

Sorted. The bike is nicer to ride...and you've saved some serious coin.

As you were.

Pete

[Sidewinder]

what are levers used for?

[Crasherfromwayback]

what are levers used for?

Jamming your fingers to the bars when you bin it...so you can then grind ya fingers off.

[Trudes]

I obviously must buy cheap shitty ones as mine always snap, bloody hell, I learnt to always have spares at the track otherwise it makes me a very sad little bucketer.

[sparkles]

a hammer fixes every THING :bash:

[dogsnbikes]

Straightened the daytona brake lever in a 3" vice it was more of a "you got nothing to loose" situation bugger me it worked:gob: almost as good as new except for the gravel rash on the back of the knob:yes:

[slofox]

Dunno about you guys/girls...but one of my pet peeves is bent levers on a bike. They pull in at a funny angle...they make the whole ride awkward and unpleasant. Sometimes even dangerous. So here's a tip for you..so you can straighten them rather than having to fork out for a (sometimes well expensive) new one.

The spares manager at work would choke if he saw this...but this is for the riders that simply can't afford a new one...and want it sorted until they can.

Acc levers are not covered by this tip...as the alloy they're made of is shite.

But I've NEVER snapped a genuine lever doing this. Some people recommend using heat. Bollocks. Do it cold.

Remove the lever (funnily enough)...place it on a solid bit of timber. Using a soft hammer/mallet...bash it back straight with a series of small hits rather than belting the fuck out of it.

Sorted. The bike is nicer to ride...and you've saved some serious coin.

As you were.

Pete


Damn - I ordered such an one this morning...why didnya post this yesterday?

Actually one of my customers has got the bent one sorted for me today anyway - him being an engineering sorta type.

Good advice for next time anyway, Pete - thanks.

[Shadows]

almost as good as new except for the gravel rash on the back of the knob:yes:

Shit that sounds painful

[slofox]

Shit that sounds painful

It is...DAMHIKT....

[fusquisat]

I accept with infomation: Dunno about you guys/girls...but one of my pet peeves is bent levers on a bike. They pull in at a funny angle...they make the whole ride awkward and unpleasant. Sometimes even dangerous. So here's a tip for you..so you can straighten them rather than having to fork out for a (sometimes well expensive) new one.

[vifferman]

[QUOTE=dogsnbikes;1129504703... almost as good as new except for the gravel rash on the back of the knob:yes:[/QUOTE]
Fixable.
I've done a couple: just use a fine file to get rid of the scrapes and restore it to a more normal shape, then follow up with sandpaper. Depending on how badly scraped it is, it may not end up looking like new, but at least it will be barely noticeable.

[Shadows]

I accept with infomation: Dunno about you guys/girls...but one of my pet peeves is bent levers on a bike. They pull in at a funny angle...they make the whole ride awkward and unpleasant. Sometimes even dangerous. So here's a tip for you..so you can straighten them rather than having to fork out for a (sometimes well expensive) new one.

That's what he said. :weird:

[MSTRS]

...gravel rash on the back of the knob:yes:
:shit:

Shit that sounds painful
:yes:

Fixable.
I've done a couple: just use a fine file to get rid of the scrapes and restore it to a more normal shape, then follow up with sandpaper. Depending on how badly scraped it is, it may not end up looking like new, but at least it will be barely noticeable.

Sounds like more pain. I find that if you apply the right salve and leave it alone...

[Taz]

D

Actually one of my customers has got the bent one sorted for me today anyway - him being an engineering sorta type.

You don't need an engineering degree to hit something with a hammer......

[EgliHonda]

You don't need an engineering degree to hit something with a hammer......

As someone WITH an engineering degree*, I fully agree.
Still seem to spend a lot of time clouting things with a 4lb club and swearing...
:bash:

* Mind you, it is in electrical engineering...

[Crasherfromwayback]

As someone WITH an engineering degree*, I fully agree.
Still seem to spend a lot of time clouting things with a 4lb club and swearing...
:bash:

* Mind you, it is in electrical engineering...

Being an ex car mechanic...I believe the term for such an important tool would be a 'knockometer'.

[vifferman]

Being an ex car mechanic...I believe the term for such an important tool would be a 'knockometer'.
Does it measure knocks? :confused:

Or is that because you give things a carefully measured knock with it?

[MSTRS]

Yes <ujgjggg>

[Crasherfromwayback]

Does it measure knocks? :confused:

Or is that because you give things a carefully measured knock with it?

It delivers them...not always carefully...as in ball joints etc!

[Owl]

almost as good as new except for the gravel rash on the back of the knob:yes:

May be easily sorted Barry!:yes:

[Swoop]

...the term for such an important tool would be a 'knockometer'.
The term "percussion adjuster" is used around here...

[Crasherfromwayback]

The term "percussion adjuster" is used around here...

Salubrious!!!