Black Lady Down

Not sure who said there are two kinds of bike owners, those who will drop their bikes and those who have. I just moved from the first to second group after a very dumb :redface: move in my garage. Due to ferocious pulling effort by me during the slow-motion fall, she only suffered a bent brake lever and lower cowl and mirror scratches, though I've haven't checked the Helibars yet. The '06 black pearl shows up the scratches very nicely...:frown: Three questions:

1. The brake lever is bent around almost 270 degrees. Can it be bent back without affecting the part strength/integrity? It seems to be farily soft metal that wouldn't retain residual stresses.

2. What black touch up paint do folks here suggest, especially if it can be bought in Canada?

3. Do I have to apply clear coat to the touch up paint and, if so, any recommendations for brands?

I guess that would be four questions...

 

My '00 suffered the same in the hands of the previous owner's son. most damage came from his petite wife trying to pull it back up by yanking on the clutch lever and then letting it drop again on the right turn signal. The paint has been retouched(yellow) without clear coat.(my bike is much older than yours so you prolly want to make it look nicer) The clutch lever is still bent to th degree of a banana away from the handle. I am sure the aluminum will crack/break if I try to bend it, so it stays. I will be replacing it with stock levers when budget permits.

 

If I ever bent one of my brake levers or scratched my VFR, I'd give Service Honda a call because they would have the touch up paint and since the brake lever is bent, I'd also upgrade to the the Pazzo levers.

http://www.servicehonda.com/

http://vfrworld.com/forums/maintenance/4020-pazzo-lever-installation.html



I almost did the same thing on the Northern California ride with Reg, In the picture posted below, look at the VFR in the background, I parked my bike in the wrong direction, too upright and so on the edge it started to tip just from the movement of me putting the camera back in the tailbag, I was one of the lucky one's that day because some how I saved it before it got to the point of no return...

 

Hey Jeff, I did the same damn thing in my garage, long story. Minor scratches, mostly noticable to myself. My brake pedal lever was bent in pretty good and I really never noticed it until I needed it. I attempted to bend it back; it came out a little but not enough. I put a new one on it yesterday. Maybe a guy (or gal) could take it off and put it in a vise and try to straighten it more that way. New one was just under 100 bucks. About the scratches, they are still there. I figure once I buff them out or touch them up.. well, you know.

 

Long crappy story but had bent my clutch lever like yours. I took a rubber mallet, set the lever on a soft board with both ends down and slowly tapped it back into shape. Did not have anything to lose....:smash:

 

WTF is with you guys. I have never dropped my bike. 4 times now I never dropped it. Friggin thing just kept jumping from under my arse then laid down on the pavement for a nice little nappy.:lie:

Now that this is over with, time to get it re-painted. Do damage other than scratched paint. Anyone cost out a paint job lately. I have heard it is difficult to get the Pearl White paint from Honda.

 

Try this site:

http://www.colorrite.com/index.php

they should have the color you need and the paint comes in different sizes, depending on your needs.

 

Thanks for the feedback and info.

 

IMHO Levers are pretty cheap. I'd replace it.

 

I have successfully re-bent the brake lever on mine. Like posted above. You really dont have anything to loose. Your gonna replace it anyway if you dont try right ?

Easy peezy..... :biggrin:

 

Thanks Azpnshr. Be safe over there. Say hello to my Canadian family over there with you.:canada: :usa2:

 

ColorRite is awesome!

They're prices are just ok, but the color match is as good if not better than OEM.
They ship quick too.
I just finished re-p;ainting my lowers and seat cowl to '93 Pearl white.
I can't say enough about the paint...great stuff
Looks like I just bought it from the dealer...with minimal effort.

-S

 

I haven't bent a VFR lever yet, but I dropped my ol' KLR 650 more than once and when I attempted to bent the lever back it bent only so much then easily broke.
If your lever has been bent back and forth once wouldn't you worry that it night be weakened enough to snap off when you are grabbing a fist full of front brake,leaving you FUBAR'd?
IMHO,for the price of a lever I think I'd rather just get a new one and have one less thing to worry about.