Bending cast aluminium?

**lozz900** · 31st May 2009, 15:57

Hey guys,
My bottom triple clamp on my GSX14 has a wee twist in the alluminum casting between the fork clamp and the stem, When i set the triple clamp up in the vice with the forks in it equates to about 6mm over the length of the fork..
Can i heat it up and gently tweek it back? If yes what sort of temp should i be heating it to..?
Because its such a little bend should i just do it cold ?
Wadda you reckon?

Thanks in advance

**bsasuper** · 31st May 2009, 16:23

Cast alluminium has a different grain structure than drawn or rolled ali, it will most likely crack, but use some heat if you want to try.If you have an oxy acetylene set, use just the acetylene to heat the piece, when the piece turns black from all the soot thats about the right temp, otherwise propane will do but dont get it to hot, if you get it to hot you will make it weaker.

**LBD** · 31st May 2009, 16:29

Originally Posted by bsasuper

Cast alluminium has a different grain structure than drawn or rolled ali, it will most likely crack, but use some heat if you want to try.If you have an oxy acetylene set, use just the acetylene to heat the piece, when the piece turns black from all the soot thats about the right temp, otherwise propane will do but dont get it to hot, if you get it to hot you will make it weaker.

Almost but not quite....Black the peice with an acetylene flame then heat with a gentle oxy acetylene flame careful not to focus the heat in one small spot. Stop heating before the carbon burns off....

**CookMySock** · 31st May 2009, 16:29

Originally Posted by lozz900

My bottom triple clamp on my GSX14 has a wee twist in the alluminum casting between the fork clamp and the stem

It's fucked.

Originally Posted by lozz900

Can i heat it up and gently tweek it back?

No, don't do it. Anything cast that has been nudged is a throwaway item.

Steve

**YellowDog** · 31st May 2009, 16:42

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

It's fucked.

No, don't do it. Anything cast that has been nudged is a throwaway item.

Steve

Sorry, but I'm with Steve on this one. Have had bad past experiences with heating aluminium. Best avoided.

**Pussy** · 31st May 2009, 17:00

Originally Posted by YellowDog

Sorry, but I'm with Steve on this one. Have had bad past experiences with heating aluminium. Best avoided.

+1

**LBD** · 31st May 2009, 17:07

I have much experience with working aluminum, but reconsidering my advice, the tripple clamp is not to be messed with...I agree with the advice not to do it.

**vagrant** · 31st May 2009, 17:11

Are you doing your measurement with top and bottom clamps plus the axle installed?
I have recently put the forks back into my RC30, they were badly misaligned until I fitted the axle, loosened everything off, and re-torqued it all.
Now it has pulled itself straight again.

**Ocean1** · 31st May 2009, 17:42

Originally Posted by YellowDog

Sorry, but I'm with Steve on this one.

Yup, could be rescued, but if you're asking how then you need to not attempt it. Scrap it.

PS: you *have* checked the fork stanchions are straight, yes?

**Pedrostt500** · 31st May 2009, 18:21

Replace the tripple clamp, it takes alot of stress, and is under quiet large forces under normal riding, repair is not a reasonable option.

**howdamnhard** · 31st May 2009, 18:22

You'll either end up with a crack (when you don't heat it up enough) or a pool of molten metal ( when you heat it up to much). Considering what the triple clamp does and presuming its been bent in a prang, the safe option is a new one.

**Warr** · 31st May 2009, 19:04

Replace it. Dont mess with a stressed part like this.
Consider the forces placed in it and I wouldn't want anything sus holding my fork leg on.

**Shaun** · 31st May 2009, 22:58

Send it F1 Engineering in Hamilton, IF STEVE says NO, it is a NO!

**gatch** · 31st May 2009, 23:23

I wouldn't mess with cast ally..

**Shadows** · 31st May 2009, 23:36

Originally Posted by lozz900

Hey guys,
My bottom triple clamp on my GSX14 has a wee twist in the alluminum casting between the fork clamp and the stem, When i set the triple clamp up in the vice with the forks in it equates to about 6mm over the length of the fork..
Can i heat it up and gently tweek it back? If yes what sort of temp should i be heating it to..?
Because its such a little bend should i just do it cold ?
Wadda you reckon?

Thanks in advance

Fuck I'm not sure if I'll ever feel safe buying a used bike again!