Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Bent Shift Lever

Well I forgot my kickstand was up when I went to set my bike on the kickstand and dropped it. %$#%!! Bent both my clutch lever and gear shift lever. Tried to bend the clutch lever back and it broke off.

My question: is it safe to bend the shift lever back 1/2 to 3/4 inch? My guess is yes since it's not aluminum like the clutch lever but I'm interested in other's advice.

In the future you can put a clutch lever in your oven for a while and once hot you will be able to bend it back without breaking it. Should be able to bend the shifter back since it's steel.

The shift lever will straighten up ok.

Another tip -

Loosen the clutch and brake on the bars, so that they wont rotate under normal hand pressure, but will if dropped.

Might just save the levers.

Don't ask me how I know.

Yes your shift lever will bend back no prob. I've done it to mine once due to a "shifter bender" accident. I was lucky. My peg snapped off, and the shifter bent around my header.

Thanks for the advice. My new clutch lever came in yesterday so I'll put it on and bend the shift lever back. Hopefully from now on I'll get that kickstand business right.