Author Topic: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?  (Read 923 times)

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Offline IVPeters

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CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« on: July 01, 2018, 12:59:55 PM »
Hello everybody, summer is here! 8) The title pretty much says it all - I'm nearing the end of my 3 year cafe build (CB750 F0) so I'm down to some fine details!

I want to keep the kickstart lever on my F0 but it hits the newly positioned (rearset) foot peg on its travel, a simple minor bend would have it clear, but I'm wondering if I'll end up snapping the thing trying to bend it with heat if it's cast iron.

I have a spare, so I was just going to give it a shot, but I figured I'd ask if anyone knew or knows how to tell if it's cast iron or steel.

Offline 754

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2018, 01:25:27 PM »
It's steel   probably forged.  Heat and bend should be ok.
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Offline IVPeters

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2018, 01:40:39 PM »
Awesome, thanks 754.

Offline Gamma

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2018, 10:42:42 PM »

I had the same problem with clearance on Tarrozzis. I used a blow torch to get it really hot, bent it and quenched it in water.
I don’t know the composition so I then put it in an industrial oven at about 600c for 3 hours to temper it.
Not used it yet, I’ll let you know when it shears in half and goes through my calf muscle😀
It still won’t clear the toe lever on the brake lever unless I disconnect the GT750 cable that operates the rear drum brake. I will have to rethink this when I do the final build
« Last Edit: July 01, 2018, 10:45:04 PM by Gamma »

Offline 70CB750

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2018, 05:28:44 AM »
What Frank says.

Offline IVPeters

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2018, 12:34:47 PM »
Quote
... I’ll let you know when it shears in half and goes through my calf muscle😀

Ha! I actually had the exact same mental image when thinking about the lever's integrity after bending it.
I'll post a couple pics after I get to it.
Your situation does looks similar to mine - although for me the lever just barely hits the peg, like 1/8" outward would clear it.
 
« Last Edit: July 02, 2018, 12:40:44 PM by IVPeters »

Offline IVPeters

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2018, 12:58:22 PM »
Here's the setup I've got going


Offline Gamma

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2018, 11:21:49 AM »


This is my original issue although now improved since I bent the kickstart lever.  I will have to sort the interference with the toe post when i start the build.

I can only use the kickstart if I unclip the brake cable, which is not ideal.
I’ve also removed the electric starter😂 and the wiring loom I made doesn’t have provision for one😬 I may have to change the lever so that I can flip the toe post up.

« Last Edit: July 03, 2018, 11:26:24 AM by Gamma »

Offline IVPeters

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2018, 02:19:35 PM »
I see, yeah the angle-out on the toe lever isn't helping things from the looks of it.
I like your brackets on brackets :D

Offline piefairy

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2018, 04:02:19 PM »
I like the look of your bike, I have a question though... what is a toe post?

Offline IVPeters

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2018, 07:04:01 PM »
I like the look of your bike, I have a question though... what is a toe post?

I think just referring to the "toe-end" of the foot controls, it would be the rear brake lever in this case.

Offline Gamma

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #11 on: July 03, 2018, 08:22:48 PM »
Thanks for the complement.
Yes, I mean the forward part of the brake lever, couldn’t think of anything else to call it. 😄
« Last Edit: July 03, 2018, 08:25:19 PM by Gamma »

Offline piefairy

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Re: CB750 Kickstart Lever - Cast Iron or Cast Steel?
« Reply #12 on: July 03, 2018, 10:17:16 PM »
That was the only thing I could think of was the rear break. Glad im just mostly nuts and not completely.