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  • Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

    Q&A

    Jun 14, 2021 4 minutes

    WINNER

    LEVER BENDING

    Q:Just a quick comment about the bent clutch lever on Mark Haycock’s TX750. Mark says that he wouldn’t advise straightening it, but I have successfully straightened them in the past. The issue with alloy levers is that once bent they ‘work harden’ and become brittle so any attempt to straighten them runs the risk of them snapping. The solution to this is to anneal the metal by heating and quenching it before bending it straight. (Rub soft soap on the alloy and heat it with a blowtorch till the soap goes black, then quench).

    Get Mark to give it a go; he’s already fitted a replacement

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