Bent rail 2016 TS 137

SnoFro · Dec 29, 2016

Now that the snow and ice have melted off my bike, I noticed that my rail is bent. The Socool ice scratcher caught a rock. Has anyone got experience straightening a rail? I will try to post some pictures.

M5- · Dec 29, 2016

I'm not sure what the 16 rails are made of but being that its aluminum you really are only going to have one shot at straightening that. I wouldn't try to get it perfect just back to true, it will be real easy to crack that plus it has been stretched. If it were me I have a big *** crescent type wrench that I would put on the rail and use another one to twist both bends at once. I see you are in Calgary, I am too, but just not right now. I have the perfect tool for that but I'm not home until the new year. PM me if I can be of help.

M5

Norma Stitz · Dec 29, 2016

Good advice about getting it close and not perfect because it will crack. If it were me I'd get a small vise and clamp the area with significant squeeze and see if it would flatten it out, thus straightening it. Otherwise a heavy C clamp and some flat metal may be of use.

AZ800 · Dec 29, 2016

If it didn't bend the bottom of the rail, looks like it didn't, then I wouldn't touch it. That top part doesn't add much lateral strength anyway.
It'll probably straighten but will be even weaker.
You can take the scratcher off. Only need one to keep the hifax cool

kell8071 · Dec 29, 2016

I have straightened multiple side panels but never a rail. I hate to assume they are the same material but so far we had luck bending the side panel aluminum.

Kell

SnoFro · Jan 8, 2017

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SnoFro · Jan 8, 2017

Thanks for the offer M5. I just got busy looking for a job.

chumbilly1 · Jan 9, 2017

We have straightened rails on sleds and too much heat will destroy the temper or hardness of the alloy and they bend like noodles. I would replace and keep that as spare / shop decor.

Bent rail 2016 TS 137

SnoFro

Free Member

M5-

Free Member

Norma Stitz

Free Member

AZ800

Free Member

kell8071

Well-known member

SnoFro

Free Member

SnoFro

Free Member

chumbilly1

Well-known member

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