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DL Bottom Headset Bending

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 11:42 pm
by Lamaddict
The bottom of my original DL bars has been rewelded causing the headset top not to fit too well. Could it be re bent somehow, I'm think heat, vice and a hammer :?
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Re: DL Bottom Headset Bending

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 9:35 am
by warts
Aluminium alloys can be funny stuff. There are lots of different grades, which don't all respond to brutality in the same way.
Can't you get it cut and re-welded?
If cost is a factor, what is the cost of failure?

Re: DL Bottom Headset Bending

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 2:33 pm
by GTFOMWSC
warts wrote:Aluminium alloys can be funny stuff. There are lots of different grades, which don't all respond to brutality in the same way.
Can't you get it cut and re-welded?
If cost is a factor, what is the cost of failure?
Agree 100% ally being brittle doesn't respond too well to being forced into position it generally cracks, heat sometimes works but not always best option like said is to cut and reweld in correct position.

Re: DL Bottom Headset Bending

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 6:13 pm
by psychedelicropcircle
I'd imagine not wanting to repaint an original paint part! No way you can sit something under it over the winter pressuring it into place over time?

Re: DL Bottom Headset Bending

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 7:13 pm
by bazza3004
Recently bought a headset top(gp) that had a gap like yours although maybe not quite a big.using the 2 headset fixing screws i fitted it and kept tightening them over a week and once i was happy with the fit left it all screwed up for a while and now it fits just fine. Mine had been adapted to take a vapour unit so maybe the added heat/welding had slightly distorted mine .

Re: DL Bottom Headset Bending

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 7:23 am
by 10 inch Terror
You could try cutting down a long M5 bolt and insert it into the top and use a penny washer and nut to draw it together. This should be stronger than a screw and will protect the thread in the headset.

Re: DL Bottom Headset Bending

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 8:37 am
by DigDug
10 inch Terror wrote:You could try cutting down a long M5 bolt and insert it into the top and use a penny washer and nut to draw it together. This should be stronger than a screw and will protect the thread in the headset.
And probably snap the top half of it too.

Re: DL Bottom Headset Bending

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 8:43 am
by HxPaul
bazza3004 wrote:Recently bought a headset top(gp) that had a gap like yours although maybe not quite a big.using the 2 headset fixing screws i fitted it and kept tightening them over a week and once i was happy with the fit left it all screwed up for a while and now it fits just fine. Mine had been adapted to take a vapour unit so maybe the added heat/welding had slightly distorted mine .
When you tightened the screws gradually,did the bottom screw up to the top,or did the top come down to meet the bottom ?

Re: DL Bottom Headset Bending

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 9:15 am
by bazza3004
Sorry mate just thought its the bottom of yours thats bent were as it was the top of mine. I doubt the bottom half would pull up the way i corrected my headset top.

Re: DL Bottom Headset Bending

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 4:52 pm
by 10 inch Terror
DigDug wrote:
10 inch Terror wrote:You could try cutting down a long M5 bolt and insert it into the top and use a penny washer and nut to draw it together. This should be stronger than a screw and will protect the thread in the headset.
And probably snap the top half of it too.
I'm out.