Fix My Ride (episode 1)

On this episode of "Fix My Ride" we'll explore the possibility of replacing the rear-brake pedal for less than what is currently being asked for on Ron Ayers (46500-MCW-D60, $75)....

<grumble>

So, I go to the gas station this AM to top off the tires; the last time I took her out, I was ~2-3 #'s low in both tires, this AM, was down ~5#'s. I like to run the standard 36F, 42R. I stop in front of the air-fill-pump, and hop off after putting her on the side-stand. Once off the bike, with face-shield up, but gear still on, I go to put her up on the center stand to have easier access to both tires. On the way up, as I'm stepping down on the center-stand, my foot slips off. Over she goes, right in front of me...and about 10-15 others at the gas station / car-wash. Nothing hurt but my pride, a couple minor scratches, and a bent rear-brake lever.

I do have to give mad props to the guy sweeping around the area I was in and the other 2 ppl that came over to help out. The sweeping station attendant and I quickly and easily lifted her off the ground and back over to her center stand. Thanks dude!

I had heard that bending these levers around has a tendency to break them. Any thoughts on where I can get another one cheap? I hadn't figured that it would cost $75 to replace, but if that's the price, I might go about trying to bend it back first...

Any help greatly appreciated.
:cheer:
VFRnGTP

Quick before anyone else says it...

you use your rear brakes!?!?

These cast parts seem to be good for ONE bend. At least that was the case for my front brake levers when I tipped her over.

DDO-VFR

I've 'repaired' mine twice. (Two drops, ouch.) I used a handheld propane torch to heat up the brake pedal's arm and a pair of ViceGrips clamped on the toe tab to manipulate the arm once it was heated up. Very easy to do and took me 10-15 minutes.

Heat it up enough that you don't have to use a lot of force to move the arm. Too much force and you'll break it off.

Torch was a "Bernz-o-matic" w/controllable flow nozzle from Wal-Mart.

I agree with Timc. Just make sure that you heat evenly then after bending it, let it cool down on its own.

I heated and bent mine down a bit so I could get to it easier. I left it on the bike while doing this. It's been fine ever since. It heated up and softened incredibly fast, though, so be careful!

Thanks for the thoughts, guys. The cost of a variable propane torch and a bottle of propane is a HECK of a lot cheaper than the cost of a new pedal.

Thx,

The torch method works well, but if it doesn't work out for you, do a search here for "Dave Lusk - Mosites Motorsports". He'll get one to you for ~$50.

What tires do you have on and how often do you have to fill? The stock Dunlops required me to fill every week. The Pirelli Diablo's that I have on now only need to be topped off once this whole summer.

Quote

The cost of a variable propane torch and a bottle of propane is a HECK of a lot cheaper than the cost of a new pedal.

Plus think how much trouble you can get into, err fun you can have with the torch after. :goofy:

[image: View Post]Snafu, on Oct 21 2008, 10:59 PM, said:

What tires do you have on and how often do you have to fill? The stock Dunlops required me to fill every week. The Pirelli Diablo's that I have on now only need to be topped off once this whole summer.


I've got a set of Michellin Pilot Powers on, NOT the 2CT ones. I've actually only ever really had to fill them about every couple of months.

$75! OMFG, are you serious? That is insane. Does this part not cross over with any other bike?