‘18 ST Raw: bent side plate, bend it back?

[jhobbs]

‘18 ST Raw: bent side plate, bend it back?

Hi guys, as you can see from these photos, rider must of taken a good spill that impacted the rear corner of the tunnel grab handle. I know aluminum is brittle once it’s bent, but I’m gonna try and bend this back before replacing with a whole new side plate. Wanted to get anyone’s experiences if they have dealt with this at all?

 

[jacmmaxwell]

That small of a bend should be fine , not likely to crack.


If your really wanting to not crack it you could anneal it first BUT you wont have a way to properly harden it.


Use acetylene torch with no oxy so it leaves a sooty layer on the aluminum , then add oxy and heat just hot enough to burn off the soot ... pretty much the best way to soften bent aluminum before working it. Of course it will also destroy the finish on the sides.


If it where me , don't anneal it and bend it straight. I've bent sled tunnels and brackets way worse than that little blemish

 

[jhobbs]

So I ended up pulling the side plate and putting it in a press, worked on each area individually. Only took about 30 minutes start to finish and it’s back to almost perfect!