Bent parts

[remy]

I didn't want to end on a bummer note in my track day post because it was such a great day and experience, but there was one mishap. When I arrived back home and opened up the trailer my bike was lying on its side. I can handle the weight of my Monster just fine, but damn is it hard to get good leverage inside a tiny 5x9 space!

Anyway, I picked the bike up and inspected everything and somehow the only thing that happened was my shift lever bent inwards and also bent in the rod that connects the lever to the thing that actually shifts (please excuse the technical terms). I've attached a picture to make better sense of what I just typed.

My question is: Is it alright to simply bend these two pieces back to relative straightness and keep riding with them, or do I run the risk of the strength of the metal being compromised and having it all break on me in the middle of shifting?

Oh, and I can't pinpoint exactly why the bike didn't stay secured the whole time. It was most likely due to me not tightening the tie-downs enough. They felt really tight, but this is the only time I didn't tighten them to the point where I didn't have the strength to tighten them anymore. I was fatigued from a full day on the track and just figured it would be 'good enough'.
Another reason could be Highway 80. That road is so torn up for so long that the trailer was just bouncing around all over the place for miles. Next time I go up to T-Hill I'll definitely go further east to 680 and avoid that whole mess.
Anyway, I'm just glad the bike didn't fall on the way there!

[Spidey]

That sucks.

Yes, bend it back.  Yes, you run the risk of it snapping mid-shift.  I wouldn't worry about it the shifter.  I mibht replace the shift rod, considering how bad the bend is.  I'd bend it back first.  Once you've bent it back, if it looks pretty straight and the metal isn't horribly fatigued, it's your call.  I might run with it for a bit while I waited for a replacement.

In the future, rock your bike once you've got it tied down.  If the bike moves, it needs to be tied down better.  If the whole truck or trailer shakes, you're good to go.  I've also gotten in the habit of stopping after a coupla miles (or 5-10 mins on the road) to do a quick check that none of the tie-downs have gotten loose. 

[desmoquattro]

I'd definitely replace the shifter, if not the linkage. Those things can break when they bend like that. And you might be able to get one in the parts wanted thread...maybe from someone who bought nice rearsets or went to GP shift

Or...you could just go GP shift yourself

[mostrobelle]

I think that stuff is cast aluminum??  Doesn't bend well--billet does.  It's not the end of the world if either of those snaps, but it's going to be inconvenient if/when it does.  Me?  I'm cheap.  I'd try to bend them back and make a little offering to the moto gods.  I'd also check out Ebay and see how much this shizznit costs to replace.  And then I'd probably find a bunch of cool aftermarket shizznit that costs $200 more than I'd planned on spending in the first place--and I'd buy it. 

[Michael Moore]

Here's a tip: if you decide to replace it, bend the old one back so it clears the shift rod, and carry it under your seat "just in case". Shifters are one of the few things Juan can't fab up from stuff found at the side of the road. 

[Popeye the Sailor]

Here's a tip: if you decide to replace it, bend the old one back so it clears the shift rod, and carry it under your seat "just in case". Shifters are one of the few things Juan can't fab up from stuff found at the side of the road. 

Nonsense. I once drove for miles with a shifter replaced with two sets of vice grips.


I only shifted once though 

[Mash]

Just went through the same dilemma with my bike.  (bent stuff) I've been watching for a used shifter lever since late March, and have yet to see one offered for sale on the board(s) or eBay.  My shifter lever was bent completely backwards into a U shape.

I clamped it in a vice, applied heat with a propane torch on the inside of the bend and slowly moved it back using vice grips.  When cold, the aluminum will definitely snap if you try and bend it.  When heated it'll soften up and move a little at a time.  If you're just going to replace it anyway, try bending it back using some heat.

[remy]

Just went through the same dilemma with my bike.  (bent stuff) I've been watching for a used shifter lever since late March, and have yet to see one offered for sale on the board(s) or eBay.  My shifter lever was bent completely backwards into a U shape.

I clamped it in a vice, applied heat with a propane torch on the inside of the bend and slowly moved it back using vice grips.  When cold, the aluminum will definitely snap if you try and bend it.  When heated it'll soften up and move a little at a time.  If you're just going to replace it anyway, try bending it back using some heat.

Thanks for the info, everybody. I think I'll put them in a vice, apply heat and try to bend them back. If that works I'll ride it around like that while I order the parts from Modesto Ducati, assuming a search for used parts doesn't work out soon.

And yeah, I definitely feel the pull to buy fancy replacements since I need to buy something anyway... but unfortunately the budget simply doesn't exist. That's quick to kill any dreams of shiny new Rizoma rearsets. 

[mostrobelle]

If you go to AMA my guess is that Rizoma will be there and discounts might exist.  Just sayin'.   

[desmoquattro]

Thanks for the info, everybody. I think I'll put them in a vice, apply heat and try to bend them back. If that works I'll ride it around like that while I order the parts from Modesto Ducati, assuming a search for used parts doesn't work out soon.

And yeah, I definitely feel the pull to buy fancy replacements since I need to buy something anyway... but unfortunately the budget simply doesn't exist. That's quick to kill any dreams of shiny new Rizoma rearsets. 

That's the beauty of switching to GP shift...crisper shifting (no linkage!), relatively inexpensive parts, easy installation, and no more toe-dragging when upshifting out of tight left-handers. But it's not for everyone.

[Michael Moore]

That's the beauty of switching to GP shift...crisper shifting (no linkage!), relatively inexpensive parts, easy installation, and no more toe-dragging when upshifting out of tight left-handers. But it's not for everyone.

You forgot one benefit - it provides great amusement for those who ride behind you when you forget and downshift while accelerating. <headsmack>

[desmoquattro]

You forgot one benefit - it provides great amusement for those who ride behind you when you forget and downshift while accelerating. <headsmack>

...or when you let others borrow your bike and you neglect to tell them about it