Straightening hand levers...

StewRoss
Senior Member

Posts: 2,334

Straightening hand levers... May 31, 2007 6:04:28 GMT -5

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Post by StewRoss on May 31, 2007 6:04:28 GMT -5

Hi,

A question was asked about the straightening of hand levers, clutch, brake...

It can be done on later model stuff lie SR's etc or later...so long as they aren't 'too' bent.

I boil them in water for a short while then I use gloves to take them to a wooden block then hit them from behind carefully with a rubber mallet until the desired straightness is achieved...works most times...the older ones or cheap aftermarket ones may not survive this treatment.

Give it a go...and it's better not to do them cold.

SR

...'Any unnecessary items on the bike, that it doesn't really need, shouldn't be there!'. (Café racers creed). SR...

uk500
Junior Member

Posts: 47

Straightening hand levers... May 31, 2007 16:49:35 GMT -5

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Post by uk500 on May 31, 2007 16:49:35 GMT -5

Hi, thanks for picking this one up for me,,,,I can see that's a pretty subtle method, a bit of heat, wooden block and rubber mallet giving it a good chance of survival, still not sure if I'll attempt it on my 1983 SR lever though sounds like it might be to old,,,,if I do have a go I'll let you know if it survived! Cheers, John,,,,,,,,,,

colinjay
Senior Member

Posts: 520

Straightening hand levers... May 31, 2007 22:47:17 GMT -5

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Post by colinjay on May 31, 2007 22:47:17 GMT -5

I have used a similar method to Stew, having straightened lever after warm/heating them up in and oven, and being rather gentle while straightening them.

The rule of thumbs that I learnt back in the 1970's was that you can straighten forged levers relativley easily, but it is almost impossible to straighten cast levers. Most japanese bikes and aftermarket lever are cast so can be very difficult to straighten. However, forged levers, such as the Magura lever as used on european dirt bikes can be can be bent like a pretzel and still be straightened out.

CJ

Is 37 motorcycles too many??[br]Obviously Not! As the collection is back up to 40 bikes! Make that 42, I picked up another 2 wrecks while I was in the Hill on the weekend!

StewRoss Senior Member Posts: 2,334	Straightening hand levers... Jun 1, 2007 5:09:47 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by StewRoss on Jun 1, 2007 5:09:47 GMT -5 Hi, I've done it on a fair few Japanese levers over the years with good success. Should work on a genuine SR lever...depending in the degree of bend of course. SR
	...'Any unnecessary items on the bike, that it doesn't really need, shouldn't be there!'. (Café racers creed). SR...

1980thumper Full Member sucksqueezebangblow Posts: 127	Straightening hand levers... Jun 1, 2007 6:23:32 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by 1980thumper on Jun 1, 2007 6:23:32 GMT -5 you didnt go and drop it did you? psht damo
	One Cylinder.....One nutter....

marlon Senior Member Posts: 630	Straightening hand levers... Jun 1, 2007 18:00:41 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by marlon on Jun 1, 2007 18:00:41 GMT -5 Hrmm, I did! Might be worth a crack. I've got an aftermarket one upstairs i picked up from Metro motorcycle wreckers for around $20, it's new old stock.
	The Internet - More crap at your fingertips.[br]Than on them.

Post by StewRoss on May 31, 2007 6:04:28 GMT -5

Post by uk500 on May 31, 2007 16:49:35 GMT -5

Post by colinjay on May 31, 2007 22:47:17 GMT -5

Post by StewRoss on Jun 1, 2007 5:09:47 GMT -5

Post by 1980thumper on Jun 1, 2007 6:23:32 GMT -5

Post by marlon on Jun 1, 2007 18:00:41 GMT -5