Damn and F*ck it all - Help needed

[TygerTung]

Thanks for all the advice guy's. However Wellys being Wellys, where I live there is no alternative but to park the bike on the footpath. I live up about 25 odd steep stairs, and have no alternative. I had thought about wheeling my bike up the stairs, BUT my bike weighs 150+ kilos and I weigh about 50.
FROSTY - thanks, I will be putting it on its main stand from now on.

My mate from work who rides himself just went and had another look at it with me. THIS IS WEIRD . . . there are no scratches on the bike anywhere, so I don't quite understand whats hapenned!

Why not ride it up the stairs like the liquid terminator does on terminator 2!

[vifferman]

Also.. heat is your friend. If yuou can them up to nice and warm, then bend them, then let 'em cool slowly it'll be MUCH less likely to fracture (invisibly or visibly).

I did this with my brake pedal and footpeg bracket, using a hot-air gun and a BIG spanner. It worked well, within the limitations of how much / which directions I could bend it with it in place. But then again, if I'd taken it off (not an easy job), it would've been hard to estimate when it was about right. I figured that the hot-air gun was unlikely to get it too hot, but would make the alloy malleable enough to co-operate. Turned out I was right.

[Str8 Jacket]

Why not ride it up the stairs like the liquid terminator does on terminator 2!

Cheers for that mate, when I get home i'll give it a go and let ya'll know how it went . . . . On second thoughts maybe not!

[Ixion]

Sorry to hear the nice GN is hurt.

Myself I'd probably just kick the footpeg straight. But that's cos I'm rough as. Probably work OK though. The gear levers a bit trickier, cos (in theory anyrate) you could risk bending the shaft, which would be a Bad Thing. If it's steel, then a bit of heat will help (though if it's chromed it may bugger up the finish). Ally is trickier - aluminum is hot short, so heating it there's a risk it might break. Usually best worked cold.

Got any guy types mates, father, brothers etc who are handy with spanners ? (carefully avoiding any reference to tools here , go away you rude people) - they should be able to straighten it out easily enough, can't be too much bent if it's still usable.

[Ixion]

Cheers for that mate, when I get home i'll give it a go and let ya'll know how it went . . . . On second thoughts maybe not!

Not silly. I used to ride bikes up stairs. It's not as hard as it sounds PROVIDED the step distance isn't an even divisor of the wheelbase! (ie you don't want both front and back wheel hitting a riser at the same time.)

Used to ride a Velo up steps, so a GN would be pretty easy, they're good at that sort of thing.

Actually coming down again is the harder bit.

[Str8 Jacket]

Got any guy type mates, who are handy with spanners ? - they should be able to straighten it out easily enough, can't be too much bent if it's still usable.

Aww, sorry mate couldn't resist, I AM one of those rude types. Started pissing myself laughing at my desk, now Im getting some very strange looks!!

[Str8 Jacket]

Actually coming down again is the harder bit.

Hmm me suspects you should stop taking so many drugs . . . (p/t)

But in all seriouness, thankyou for all your advice I do appreciate it!

[Sparky Bills]

Be carefull straightening it.
It helps to heat it before bending it. That helps it from not breaking.

Trust me, ive straightened a few bars etc

Slowly and surely is what you need. Dont try to bend it back too fast.

Good luck.

[Sparky Bills]

Opps,
Just read that the heat thing has already been said.
Sorry,
Dont mind me. Carry on with what your doing.

[Eurygnomes]

Aw no!!! You poor thing. I know what you mean about leaving it in the street - I would have thought it safe in Brooklyn though! Have purchased a mbike cover from trademe. How long do you reckon it's gonna last in the wind? Will have to make holes in it so it doesn't parachute my bike into flatmates Rav, so what's the point!?

[unhingedlizard]

Be carefull straightening it.
It helps to heat it before bending it. That helps it from not breaking.

Trust me, ive straightened a few
Good luck.

Ho Hum.....

[Str8 Jacket]

Aw no!!! You poor thing. I know what you mean about leaving it in the street - I would have thought it safe in Brooklyn though! Have purchased a mbike cover from trademe. How long do you reckon it's gonna last in the wind? Will have to make holes in it so it doesn't parachute my bike into flatmates Rav, so what's the point!?

Yep, it totally sux big time, but at least it's fixable and no scratches etc. That and if i have too I can still ride it.

Arrgh, don't worry bout your flatties Rav, they should have insurance, that and your GN will rust alot faster than a Rav ever would . . . anyway would it really be so bad if it did "take out the Rav", then you could convince your flattie to gat a bike too - there problem solved!

[Wolf]

If you've got a flat, sheltered area near your house and your steps aren't too insane (I am remembering we're talking about Wellington region, here), riding the bike up the steps would not be too stupid an idea. Getting it down again you could back it down, controlling its descent with the front brake. Walk down the steps backwards on the right hand side of the bike holding the handlebars, gravity will move it downwards with no effort on your part and a gentle squeeze on the brakes is all that's required to slow it down.

Or just hop on, turn on the ignition, point the frontwheel downhill and let go of the brakes - just as you're about to hit the road, pull in the clutch, kick it up into second, scream "Tally-ho" and drop the clutch - save wear and tear on the starter motor every morning...

Last bike I took forwards down a flight of steps was the TS125 and they were pretty shallow steps. Being of the Trail bike persuasion it handled them well.

[Ixion]

If you've got a flat, sheltered area near your house and your steps aren't too insane (I am remembering we're talking about Wellington region, here), riding the bike up the steps would not be too stupid an idea. Getting it down again you could back it down, controlling its descent with the front brake. Walk down the steps backwards on the right hand side of the bike holding the handlebars, gravity will move it downwards with no effort on your part and a gentle squeeze on the brakes is all that's required to slow it down.

Or just hop on, turn on the ignition, point the frontwheel downhill and let go of the brakes - just as you're about to hit the road, pull in the clutch, kick it up into second, scream "Tally-ho" and drop the clutch - save wear and tear on the starter motor every morning...

Last bike I took forwards down a flight of steps was the TS125 and they were pretty shallow steps. Being of the Trail bike persuasion it handled them well.

I've only ever gone down facing forward. Not too sure about going down backward. I always leaned well back and put all the weight over the rear wheel . Backwards I'd be a bit worried about flipping it. Could be interesting to try though. C'mon Li'L Ratty, I've a job for you. Bugger. No steps. Except the stairs in the house. Hmmm. Nope much too dangerous. The riding part would be fine, but Mrs Ixion....... No, don't want to go there. The fuss she made when I rode through the entrance lobby and out the front door, I've still got the mental scars (was ALLI was getting for a while too !)

[Str8 Jacket]

Cheers for all your advice guy's. My b\f has removed the clutch lever and is going to get his mate to straighten it tomorrow morning,
The best thing is that my neighbour has agreed to let me ride the mighty GN up there driveway up the side of their house, and right up to my entrance way, which is awesome! The only catch is that their driveway is insanely slippery . . .