Topic: chain gaurd help

[stumy]

Hello everyone! I have browsed this board for about a year, but this will be my first post. Some background to my present problem: A year ago I purchased a 1975 cb750f and things have been gong great until tonight. Basically, I did something really stupid. I put a u-lock (intended for bicycles) in my rear hub when I parked, thinking that because I would be away from my bike for a while I should be safe. Of course upon returning to my bike, I forgot about it. So I hopped on my 750 and thought everything was fine until there was a fierce resistance after I had moved about a foot. Of course this resistance was in fact my original polished chain guard being bent by the u-lock. Luckily I was parked at an upward angle so I was actually riding uphill, which helped to minimize the damage. Other than the chain guard, nothing else appears to be at all damaged.

My question is this: I have never bent or manipulated metal that is as tough as the stainless steel of the chain guard. In fact, the chain guard was not bent terribly out of proportion, but the u-lock was completely mangled. (So if that gives you any idea of how tough the guard is...) Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to how to best bend it back. I am rather embarrassed at my ignorance on what seems like such a simple procedure ( i.e. bending metal) but I find myself not knowing where to start. Should I use a vice, and a mallet? Or should I put another object inside the chain guard and mallet it then?

I have attempted to post pictures of the chain guard below. I feel very foolish right now, as I realize I could have been really hurt. I am planning on visiting my local motorcycle shop tomorrow, and purchasing a lock with one of those elastic cords that clamps to the handlebars. Anyway, any thoughts on how I might straighten my chain guard out would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

Scott K.

[750goes]

Sorry you bent it..no thoughts or suggestions on how to straighten it..

for the other side of things

check your SPOKES really close - I reckon you may have bent a few of those depending on how fast you took off..

at least you have a chain guard - I'm still trying to find one for mine..

[jaknight]

Hello Stumy,

     I feel for you stumy.........pain in the a**; been there, done that......

     I am afraid you are going to have to take a crash course in sheet metal.  You will need a piece of steel back up plate (like the dollies that are used in automotive metal work) and a very smooth faced hammer.  Any dents or scratches on the hammer face will transfer their marks onto your chain guard.

     Remove your chain guard, place your metal back up bar on the inside of your guard and pound on the OUTER edges of the dents, keeping pressure upwards with your piece of metal.  As you pound, work your way around the "edges" of the dent and gradually work your way inward to the center of the dent (as the metal moves back to its original position).

     You will have to do some searching to find metal stock that will fit inside your chain guard.  If you have a difficult time securing the guard while you pound and use your "bucking bar" dolly, and no one else is around to help you, you can use a section of leather, filled with #7 or #8 bird shot from shotgun shells and lay the guard on that while you pound.  Sounds like a lot of trouble, but can be done........... I know from experience..........

      Aside from that unpleasant business,  welcome to the forum........kick back, relax, and enjoy the many rides here.........Welcome aboard!!!

     ~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[stumy]

Thank you to both jaknight and 750goes for the responses. I think I understand the physical procedure of pounding the gaurd back into shape, but I am unsure of where to begin searching for an appropriate "bucking bar" or a metal backing sheet. Is Home Depot a good place to start? Do I need to go to specific metal working shops?

To 750goes: Luckily I didn't put the lock all the way through the wheel. I am convinced after having examined both the lock and the placement of it on the hub (area) that it only affected the chain guard. However, I will certainly be inspecting the spokes just in case.

Again, thanks for the suggestions!

[Honda CBer]

somewhere in my basement is a 750 chainguard that i no longer need... if one of you are interested, i will see if i can find it... be advised that the side of the basement that contains parts resembles post-katrina footage...

[stumy]

Honda CBer,

Thanks for the post. I sent you a personal message.

Scott K.