Pedal hits muffler

sofasurferlinux · #1 07-10-2009, 02:18 PM

My pedal hits the muffler...just barely. I've read some post on bending the exhaust. I don't have heat or a vice...drat!! I am going to try sanding the gasket on a taper. Hows that sound?

**2door** · #2 07-10-2009, 02:24 PM

Not good. You'll probably end up with an exhaust leak, and that's not good either. If you don't have access to a vice you might try bolting the muffler flange to a heavy, immovable object and try bending it that way. Heat is not necessary. The pipe is pretty tough but it will bend if enough force is applied. Go slow and do just a little at a time. The best way is to use a solidly mounted bench vise. Maybe a neighbor or friend has one you could borrow? Good luck.
Tom

Retmachinist · #3 07-10-2009, 02:26 PM

If it is just barely hitting, you may be able to give the mounting holes about another 1/32" clearance. Then you can turn the muffler a little bit, might be enough.

John

**2door** · #4 07-10-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retmachinist

If it is just barely hitting, you may be able to give the mounting holes about another 1/32" clearance. Then you can turn the muffler a little bit, might be enough.

John

John,
Is that what they call, "Wollerin' out the holes" ?

Tom

sofasurferlinux · #5 07-10-2009, 02:35 PM

"Wollerin' out the holes". I like that Think I'll try it.

**Ilikeabikea** · #6 07-10-2009, 02:39 PM

I know a few guys that have bent the crank arm out just a little bit too. Just take the pedal off and put a long peice of pipe over the crank arm a give an ever so gentle tweak........

Retmachinist · #7 07-10-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2door

John,
Is that what they call, "Wollerin' out the holes" ?

Tom

Tom, I would call it a sloppy fit. I think in the military they used to refer to it as a "Tijuana Fit"

John

Retmachinist · #8 07-10-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilikeabikea

I know a few guys that have bent the crank arm out just a little bit too. Just take the pedal off and put a long peice of pipe over the crank arm a give an ever so gentle tweak........

I like the way you said that "Ever so gentle" Funny, I say that all the time. It's also like saying "Splitting a Frog Hair" When you are working with some close tollerances.

John

sofasurferlinux · #9 07-10-2009, 03:19 PM

While I have all of you peoples attention let me ask one more question.
My chain tensioner turns freely with my fingers. But the chain does not cause the tensioner wheel to turn. I assume that is because of the tensioner wheel being a hard, glossy smooth surface and the chain likewise. Thus, eventially the tensioner wheel will wear flat and then NEVER turn.
Is this a problem?

**2door** · #10 07-10-2009, 03:29 PM

Sofa,
You want to check, then double check your chain and tensioner wheel alignment. It should be near perfect, or as John would say, "Closer than a frog's hair". Most of the kit supplied tensioner wheel brackets require a slight twist, (there's another need for a vice) to get it to align with the chain path. The bike's chainstay, the part of the frame it mounts to usually is not exactly parallel to the chain so 'tweaking' the bracket becomes essential. Do you like how we toss around those highly technical machinest terms here?
Tom