Gerry, From owning many bikes over the years I was always under the impression that the shifter itself was made up of a metal that was a little less brittle than the rest. I believe that it is designed to (within reason) be bent back into shape. I have bent, hammered, several and never broke one yet. Knock on wood. Especially on the trail bikes. I have used a tree branch to bend them somewhat back into shape out in the middle of nowhere.

Jerry

2005 America, Green, Thunderbike exhaust LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET THE HE** OUT OF THE WAY!