straightening foot peg - heat it or beat it

[mikeb]

sadly, a slight off today with some car doing a u-turn in front of me. minimal damage including a bent foot peg, bent back maybe 1 1/2". I assume its cast (?) and heat would be better to straighten it, but can't be bother with the repaint. is beating it into shape 'acceptable' or likely to fatigue it. what would you do?

thanks
Mike

[muskrat]

G'day Mike.
Heat till pink/red. Paint is cheap compared to a cracked footpeg.
Cheers

[limeyrob]

Agreed, I think its forged which is why the bend not break.  Don't do it cold, he initial bend has work hardened it and you have to heat into the dull red to remove that hardness.  If you don't it will crack and also when hit it it won't bend back at the bend where its now harder, but next to it so you end up not with the straight pedal but one with 2 opposite bends.
I see you are in the antipodes, just put it in the barbie for a while, it will come out wonderfully soft. : )

[KiwiGF]

Agreed, I think its forged which is why the bend not break.  Don't do it cold, he initial bend has work hardened it and you have to heat into the dull red to remove that hardness.  If you don't it will crack and also when hit it it won't bend back at the bend where its now harder, but next to it so you end up not with the straight pedal but one with 2 opposite bends.
I see you are in the antipodes, just put it in the barbie for a while, it will come out wonderfully soft. : )

Our barbies are not THAT hot 🙄

But yes, heating up is best, but I have risked bending them (and brake levers) back cold, they are (or should be) in a soft state, but you don’t know how often they have been bent before.

[Triton Thrasher]

Agreed, I think its forged which is why the bend not break.

Not that it matters much, but these things on old bikes were usually malleable cast iron.

[limeyrob]

Quite possible but they do bend more than I would expect malleable iron.

[mikeb]

thanks guys - i 'did the right thing'