3 hours of elbow grease

[RockiMtn]

Got a set of Avid Ultimate SD-L levers in decent condition but thought they could be spruced up.

Tore the lever apart to just the main body, and flat leveled it on sandpaper placed on a flat surface. Worked them with 600 grit until I got the rough anodized surface and scratches removed, and then a bit of marine rubbing compound on it. Could prob go over it again with some higher grit and do some more polishing, but I'm good with it as is for now as my arms are too sore to do anymore! Only remnants of a few deeper scratches are still showing on the left lever, but nothing too bad.

Also I swapped out the lever pivot bolts as I needed one for another set of black levers I bought that was missing one. So after doing some comparing of the original bolts with some misc jockey bolts I had lying around, I ordered some KCNC alloy jockey bolts knowing I'd have to do some modification. Jockey bolts are about .2mm thicker in profile, 4.9mm as opposed to the stupid original bolts at 4.7mm to get through the pivot bearing. Took forever for me to spin the bolts in a drill and file off the extra material for it to fit.

 

[theproudhighway]

Nice one! Like you say there's not much point going with finer grades, especially if they are going to be used regularly, since they will go a bit dull anyway.

These are one of my favourite levers.

 

[dalecooper]

Nice work! And now you have 2 painfull arms?? :facepalm:

 

[jimo746]

Nice work! And now you have 2 painfull arms?? :facepalm:

just one, unless he's ambidextrous

Looking good, only way you'll get them shinier is to bring out the power tools with buffing wheel.

 

[RockiMtn]

hahaha, most of the work was done with my right arm. but i gave my left a decent work out as well, just not as much.

just need to scrub out the dirt caught in the notches of the adjusters, and other nooks & crannies of the levers.

 

[PeteC]

well done Frank!

 

[WD Pro]

They look great you are on a slippery slope though ... ;-)

Looking good, only way you'll get them shinier is to bring out the power tools with buffing wheel.

I disagree, this is better :

Looking good, only way you'll get them shinier quicker and without looking like popeye, is to bring out the power tools with buffing wheel.

;-)

WD

 

[RockiMtn]

Re:

WD, i blame you for my OCD madness! :twisted:

i've been looking at combo table belt sanders! :facepalm:

 

[dirttorpedo]

Nice!

 

[Rampage]

Re: Re:

WD, i blame you for my OCD madness! :twisted:

i've been looking at combo table belt sanders! :facepalm:

That won't help polish it!
You need a loose flap mop with fine cutting polish ideally.