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KTM Gordo
Brolly Dolly



Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Karma :
PostPosted: 19:43 - 22 May 2008    Post subject: Beached Reply with quote
I took the 990 Adv. out for a trip on some local byways and discovered an unexpected problem - deep, narrow ruts. I found this out when the bike beached itself on its engine bars.

https://www.gordo.eclipse.co.uk/pictures/bikes/ktm/tr-11-may-08/11-05-08_1611.jpg

She's a heavy beast when you need to lift her - thankfully there were two of us to heave her out and in to the shallower one.

Only damage was a bent rear brake lever, and the rubber cover on the gearshift. For some reason KTM don't fit a folding brake lever as standard, but everything else folds.

Of course I'm leaving for France on Tuesday, and can't use the brake without damaging the engine cover. Tried to bend it back, but it isn't going... Confused Any suggestions?

Next time I'll take the high road. And hopefully have knobbly tyres rather than the standard ones. At road pressure!

Still, it was a lovely day for it.

https://www.gordo.eclipse.co.uk/pictures/bikes/ktm/tr-11-may-08/11-05-08_1638.jpg
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Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4
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Ste
Not Work Safe



Joined: 01 Sep 2002
Karma :
PostPosted: 19:52 - 22 May 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ruts aren't an unexpected problem, you'll find them on lots of byways courtesy of 4x4's. Wink

Should be much easier with knobbly tyres as then you'll be about to get out of ruts rather than having to keep going in a straight line cos of road tyres. Thumbs Up
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tatters
Exxon Valdez



Joined: 04 Jan 2004
Karma :
PostPosted: 19:54 - 22 May 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote
have you tried heating the brake lever with a blow torch as you bend it?
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Gazdaman
I did a trackday!!!



Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:42 - 22 May 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote
Have you tried taking it off and bending it in a vice, rather than on the bike?

Gaz
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KTM Gordo
Brolly Dolly



Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:47 - 22 May 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote
The trouble is that it's cast aluminium, and has been bent backwards as well as inwards. I'll try heating it and see what happens - at £40 a piece it's worth trying...
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KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4
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Max77
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 19:21 - 23 May 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote
go back to the same rut and ride it backwards.
it might bend it back again Smile
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garyd
Brolly Dolly



Joined: 09 Apr 2006
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PostPosted: 14:16 - 27 May 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote
Looks like it failed where a cheap chinese thing would have pissed it Laughing Laughing Laughing
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KTM Gordo
Brolly Dolly



Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Karma :
PostPosted: 15:54 - 27 May 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote
garyd wrote:
Looks like it failed where a cheap chinese thing would have pissed it Laughing Laughing Laughing

Quite possibly - but could it then have taken to France and back through some serious weather?

I think I'll stick with the KTM Smile
____________________
Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4
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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Karma :
PostPosted: 18:48 - 27 May 2008    Post subject: Reply with quote
KTM Gordo wrote:
The trouble is that it's cast aluminium, and has been bent backwards as well as inwards. I'll try heating it and see what happens - at £40 a piece it's worth trying...


Cast aluminium is a bastard. there is a knack to it.

Clamp it in a vice and rub soap over it. Scorch the soap with the blowlamp so it's covered in soot.

Soot burns at a slightly lower temperature than aluminium melts.

Work out where you are going to bend it and with what. I like to slide a bit of pipe over the end because this allows you to hold it in position after it's been bent.

Heat the piece all round the area you are going to bend but concentrating the heat more on the specific part you want to bend.

Gradually intensify the heat, you'll see the soot starting to glow. This means the alloy is all of a sudden going to take on the consistancy of putty.

When it 'goes' slowly but purposefully bend it into the place you want it. Do it in a single movement, don't fuss over it and keep adjusting because your lever is about to melt into a puddle. It should take next to no force to do if hot enough, almost bends itself.

Hold it there as you gradually back the heat off.

Now slowly heat and cool it several times to allow the metal to flow into itself, relieving any internal stresses. The slow cooling allows the metal to re-crystalise in a strong form.

Now try as hard as you can to snap it. Better to find out now.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 17 years, 246 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
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