Should I hit it with an 'ammer?

[Firebird]

After a couple of years of great service my Motech bars are now somewhat out of shape. If you look at the picture below you'll notice;

• The upper mount is missing (behind the cross brace) and is misaligned by an inch or so. This is the same on the nearside also.
• The lower arms mounting on the bash plate have moved up and back sheering two of the bash plate rubber mounts and stressing the others.
• The paint is crazed in many areas that have been stressed and scrapped off everywhere else.
• The bars have come in contact with the exhausts on both sides showing a level of sideways flex.

The question is, should I use a piece of wood and a club hammer to 'gently drift' the bars back into a more conventional position or could this stress other parts of the bike too much? There's no way to 'shape' them once they're off the bike without a jig so they'll have to stay attached.

OR

Is it time to admit that they've earned their keep and ask for a new set for my birthday?

 

[Dave Cr]

Looks as though you would just weaken them even further by trying to reshape them. As they do look well used, I'd go for the replacement option (and spend less time dropping the bike in the future). Good luck with it all.

 

[birdseye]

there's nothing that cant be bodged by the use of a Birmingham screwdriver.

 

[araspitfire]

It wouldn't be my first choice to use my aluminum motorcycle engine as a pry fixture in straightening something as solid as SW bars.... Would seem to me to be a stripped hole or stud waiting to happen...

Take some pictures... draw arrows on them so that you know how you want to bend them.... use a vice and some other pry tools... bend and fit... bend to adjust and re-mount...

If you don't have a large enough bench-vice, or other tough fixture, and tools appropriate to the task, then I'd say buy new ones...

It would be a shame to have used them to protect your engine all this time, then do serious damage while trying to straighten them with the wrong tools...

Al...

 

[Fanum]

Rather than using impact technology, (which as you say could easily jar things or crack things mebbe) I'd be inclined to use some Archimedes' lever science.(Stick a lump of 4x4 in there and bend the sod back in!)

Just be careful what parts you use as the fulcrum

 

[Phil Clarke]

No point in buying new ones of your just going to bend em again. they are only made of mild steel so they should bend without cracking. If they do crack - weld em up!

Seconded for use of levers rather than hammers. And dont be afraid to use the engine as a fulcrum. Just get some timber packing and avoid delicate fins or small castings. Heating the bars first will also reduce the force required to bend them.

 

[Dahoum]

What a joy to see a 12 thats as smacked up and 'characterful' as mine
Used for purpose.


I think I'd be of the opinion that the taking off/bending/refitting option would be wisest.

Bills words should be listened too also though if you're not keen on all the faff of taking off-refitting etc (he looks stupid but he's very wise in these matters )

i'll have to get some pics of mine at the moment put up

an if you're replacing - get the H&B ones

 

[Shep]

Ratchet straps can be very good at getting things lined up

Shep

 

[Firebird]

What a joy to see a 12 thats as smacked up and 'characterful' as mine
Used for purpose.

Yes, it's seen a bit of mud in its time...