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I have still not fixed the bent frame that holds my dash in place. It is canted over to one side (like a parallelogram if you know what I mean). Obviously took some impact in a drop before I bought the bike and I didnt notice until I replaced the screen.There must be a way to jig it and bend it back, it shouldnt be too much trouble but I cannot picture a way. Anyone got a good idea ? I cannot get the fairing back on without this being straight and a replacement is £280 or so. Failing that, has anyone seen a Falco in a breakers anywhere that doesnt have front end damage ? I have been off the road since June, need to get going again. I am sure we are owed some decent Autumn weather !!

Brute force and ignorance worked for me, and a big hammer, and a big spanner.

Seriously now. I bent mine, and once the front end was stripped down used a big adjustable spanner to get a tight grip and bend it straight. I also tried some tie-down straps, one end attatched to the garage roof the other on the bike leant over a good 45degrees and me jumping on it (I wouldn't recommend this method though, I wont be held responsable for someones bike ending up on the floor). Those little sub-frames are remarkably tough.

The best method would be to tidy all combustable bits out the way and heat it up with a blow torch. That would make it easier to budge but would also burn all your paint off so it would need repainting.

It can be done though, you just have to be a bit brutal (and a bit strong)

I found an engineering shop today willing to have a look at it. If that doesnt work, I need to fix it on one side and bend it as though in a jig, if you see what I mean. I might bolt one side to the garage wall and apply some heavy pressure to the other side to pull it straight. Keeping my fingers crossed for the engineer option, cos I could make a proper mess of it otherwise

If you've got to take it off anyway, see if someone's got a vice you can use then it will be held rock steady while you try and ease it back into shape.

The best way if you can do it is to get it clamped in then try and wedge a long metal bar in a suitable place and just use some leverage on it rather than banging it with a hammer. Very difficult to explain without demonstrating but hopefully you get what I'm on about

Very reasonable, straightened it for a tenner, no cutting required.I will fit it Sunday and hopefully ride the bloody thing

Result !!

Where did you go Beckh?

I can only think of one place and thats 4thD at Shepperton.

Went to a small engineering firm near work in Bracknell (on Longshot lane for those that know the area, unit 42 but the name escapes me). Tenner for the coffee tin, probably took 2 minutes to do it but I am happy with that .I had to wait 3 days while they thought about it but they are busy. Just one chase call per day or they may have not bothered. I remember doing something similar to get some welding on my Vespa in the early 80's. Treat them gently and they enjoy little challenges like that !!

on my Vespa

please do not swear

beckh wrote:Went to a small engineering firm near work in Bracknell (on Longshot lane for those that know the area, unit 42 but the name escapes me). Tenner for the coffee tin, probably took 2 minutes to do it but I am happy with that .I had to wait 3 days while they thought about it but they are busy. Just one chase call per day or they may have not bothered. I remember doing something similar to get some welding on my Vespa in the early 80's. Treat them gently and they enjoy little challenges like that !!

Cheers for that, I'll have a look down there next time I'm in Bracknell, always good to find somewhere different

It works ! Shame the same cant be said for the battery Sorry for the Vespa thing, still luv them I am afraid. Keeping it Italian though, dont I get a point for that

beckh wrote:It works ! Shame the same cant be said for the battery Sorry for the Vespa thing, still luv them I am afraid. Keeping it Italian though, dont I get a point for that

Shoulda been a Lambretta

And you can wash yer mouth out too..

Where's an Aprilia Mod when you need one...

Kwackerz wrote:And you can wash yer mouth out too..

Where's an Aprilia Mod when you need one...

Oyy bloody foreigner, wot you doing ina italian bike forum

Lambretta/Vespa, Ducati/Aprilia, its all the same. One leaks oil and breaks down, the other is in my garage