Bent Shift Lever

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sphen
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Bent Shift Lever

#1

Post by sphen »

As the subject implies, the shift lever on my project bike is bent. Not real bad, but enough to make the angle kinda weird. Two possible thoughts on the matter:

1- Is it possible to heat it up with a propane torch and persuade it back into position, or

2- are there any nice aftermarket units available? like a nice billet or anodised lever? Plenty of used OEMs out there, but wouldnt mind something nicer.
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

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tlbranth
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#2

Post by tlbranth »

I've fabbed lots of stuff from steel. I'm no expert but it's been my experience that to bend steel rod the way you want it to go, it needs to be cherry red. That means Oxyacetylene. But if it's just a bit out of shape, I'd hold it in a vise and bash it with a big hammer.
Terry
Don't own a Vanagon
Don't work at Boeing
Life is good

1999 GL1500 SE
2002 Honda VT750 "ACE"
1975 GL1000
1970 CB750
sphen
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#3

Post by sphen »

thanks. i did try a hammer, but i didnt try a big hammer...so i'll try that.

and i was kinda thinking my torch would be insufficient, and that cherry red would end up melting the rubber pad in the process.
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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rcmatt007
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#4

Post by rcmatt007 »

I would think it is a cast piece so I doubt you could get it hot enough to bend, and it you could, I would worry that the temper would be gone
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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tlbranth
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#5

Post by tlbranth »

Yes, it could break. I figured if it wasn't useful as-is it'd be worth the gamble.
Terry
Don't own a Vanagon
Don't work at Boeing
Life is good

1999 GL1500 SE
2002 Honda VT750 "ACE"
1975 GL1000
1970 CB750
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rcmatt007
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#6

Post by rcmatt007 »

sphen wrote:thanks. i did try a fh, but i didnt try a bfh...so i'll try that.

and i was kinda thinking my torch would be insufficient, and that cherry red would end up melting the rubber pad in the process.
the rubber pad comes off
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
sphen
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#7

Post by sphen »

any aftermarket units that fit? ive yet to find one..
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
Shadowjack
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#8

Post by Shadowjack »

All the Honda shift levers I've ever seen are like mild steel. If they get bent in use, just bend them back. You don't need heat, but you might need to get creative on hold to get hold of it. Or take it off and put it in a vise.
sphen
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#9

Post by sphen »

I was able to use a 3lb sledge and a well placed hit to get it close enough for troubleshooting work for now. i could probably get it right, but the way it needs to be in a vise in order to get the correct pressure, it slips and is really hard to immobilize.

Its good enough for now - i'll come back to it later. thanks
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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rcmatt007
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#10

Post by rcmatt007 »

sphen wrote:I was able to use a 3lb sledge
a "persuader"
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
User avatar
tlbranth
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#11

Post by tlbranth »

The bfh I was referring to.
Terry
Don't own a Vanagon
Don't work at Boeing
Life is good

1999 GL1500 SE
2002 Honda VT750 "ACE"
1975 GL1000
1970 CB750
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BlueThunder
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#12

Post by BlueThunder »

How bent is this shift lever? I haven't seen a bent shift lever that couldn't be straightened in a vise and a hammer - without breaking. If it can't, then I think you have more serious problems besides the bent shift lever. ;)
...Brian
2014 CTX1300 Deluxe - BlackThunder aka Predator
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CYBORG
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#13

Post by CYBORG »

I'd be interested in how it got bent. It lives in a pretty protected plsce
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
sphen
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#14

Post by sphen »

Its bent bc SOMEbody forgot to remove it before laying the bike over on its side during troublehooting/dissassembly...full weight went down on it juuuust right (i was soaking the cylinders in penetrant so had to level the bike over)

sigh
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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CYBORG
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Re: Bent Shift Lever

#15

Post by CYBORG »

Thanks. I was having trouble how it could have happened, under normal conditions
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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