Best way to flatten an alloy plate?

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Chris

Chris

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Hi
If a Rickman Commando falls over on the driveway & nobody saw it fall? Did it make any noise?
Or was that just me when I found it!
Can't believe how lucky I have been.
Well other than it falling over!
Didn't damage the tank, it
Best way to flatten an alloy plate?
bent the brake lever (adds to the old warrior look) However went to put it back in the garage & couldn't get it out of gear! Footpeg has taken the brunt of the fall & bent forward at the same time putting a bend into the alloy footrest plate & trapping the gearchange linkage.
Best way to flatten the alloy plate? Heat & a vice? Or hammer it flat? It's 6mm alloy.
Thanks Chris
 
I'd use heat and a vice
Although the vice may soak the heat away
When I straighten aluminium I use a blow torch, I find oxy acetylene heats up a bit too quick
Getting the temperature right is important you can heat the metal and touch with a piece of wood to see when the wood leaves a black mark
But I tend to put an adjustable spanner or G clamp etc onto the part just beyond the bend and keep a gentle firm pressure on it whilst playing the blow lamp over it
You can feel when it starts to go
When you can feel it move keep the heat on it
Don't remove the heat then bend it
Definitely do not try to bend it before you feel it move or it will crack
Do not overheat it it could crumble and end up a blob on the floor
You may get away with bashing flat with a hammer whilst it's cold but it's risky
 
Funnily enough I heated and bent a Yamaha clutch lever to fit my Indian Enfield this morning
 
2 times in 50 years I have seen my bike (yamaha RD350) fallen from wind blowing it off the centerstand. First time I was pissed at the SOB that did that...the second time I SAW it happen myself :eek: it was the wind.
 
Clamp it with the frame mounting points in the vice. The bend will then be clear to see. A stout hammer should straighten it quite easily. Although it will need to be applied stoutly too!

If heat is required, the trick I was taught with alloy was to use soap. Apply soap to one side and heat from the other, when the soap turns black it’s the right temp to bend. Seems to work for me.
 
Long time ago, an old mechanic told me to start the torch with only acetylene. Soot the aluminium black. Then heat the workpiece with a normal flame until the soot disappears. Don't use the torch too close. Then it could be bent a bit. Might be needed to repeat, if severe bent. Usually works but not always. Works better on a rolled plate than a cast piece. If it's a castng it might work if you are lucky.
Same idea but lower temperature than when you anneal copper gaskets.
 
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Mike I use the same method when working 6061T6. Best if you get it right the first time around.... second time bets are off because failures increase.
 
Bike looks GREAT Chris. Bet you don’t lose it in the paddock!

What are the exhaust pipes btw ?
 
Thank you all
Michealb drive side for you.
Reich I looked in my file for the drawings of the footplates. These were early versions. So I do have the cardboard patterns to copy. Nige the pipes were for a Commando featherbed. Nick Paravani. They hang down too low below the frame but as luck would have it, they work with the oil catch trays we have to fit now.
Best way to flatten an alloy plate?
 
Forgot to say. Mike40m I remember being told about smoking the back. Unfortunately I don't have acetylene. Nige I will soap the back & get out my propane torch. Baz spot on covered all my concerns. I think I will leave the brake lever alone! Thanks for the help.
Ps Dynodave exactly what happened. Strong gusting wind & my paddock stand let go.
 
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Rob
I said 6mm as thats what I remember (Drixton plates) & I knew it wasn't 8mm!
However, it's British & all I have in stock so it's in between lol
 
Skip breakfast before riding then to compensate for possible additional weight....
 
In the words of the immortal Ogri "Save about as much weight as taking a p*%%"

Go thicker then get the drill out!
 
Haha
if you new me you would know
Not using the bathroom would be an unbelievable pleasure. lol
Retaining weight would be grand.
I picked up a 4ftx 2ft sheet of alloy plate many moons ago. It's my stock item for footplates. I have never had one crack & with racing Commandos thats not bad. Then again I dont abuse them enough lol. Don't care about weight, starting & finishing are what matters. I was 17 1/4 stone in my leathers 10 years ago. I could do with some of that now. Haha all good but no Oomph, can't wait to get back out on track.
Footplate is back on with a gentle wave in it! The jigsaw will be out tomorrow as it's best to have spares.
Thanks all
 
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