Bending handlebars?

bobhamlin · 11-30-2009, 11:35 AM

I have risers on my bike, but the grips are still just a tad too far forward for perfect fit.

Has anyone bent their bars (intentionally, of course) to bring the grips even more rearward? I'm imagining a process of clamping the bar in a vise and brute-forcing a couple more degrees of angle.

Thoughts? I've restored several bikes, so I know that bent bars don't necessarily destroy chrome or weaken them beyond safe performance.

For me, achieving symmetry seems to be the challenge.

Yellow Jacket · 11-30-2009, 03:25 PM

It should work but you might need some sort of tube bender so that the bar doesn't try to "kink" at the place where it bends.

chainsaw · 11-30-2009, 03:40 PM

You maybe could take them to a muffler shop that uses pipe benders and have them done. Should cost next to nothing to have done.

**Jared** · 11-30-2009, 04:20 PM

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

cactusjack · 11-30-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "CHAINSAW"

You maybe could take them to a muffler shop that uses pipe benders and have them done. Should cost next to nothing to have done.

I used to work in a muffler shop. I doubt they have dies for 1" diameter tubing. Not many cars with 1" exhaust out there.

psychocycle · 11-30-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobhamlin

For me, achieving symmetry seems to be the challenge.

To maintain the symmetry you might have to make up a jig, it would be difficult to maintain by guess and by golly. I have never tried what you want to attempt but just be prepared to buy a new bar if all does not go well. Lots of different bars on the market at fairly reasonable prices if you do end up goofing the bars. Good Luck. ;)

**Cajunrider** · 11-30-2009, 08:21 PM

My biggest concern would be the chrome cracking. If you can fill the bars with sand and plug the ends you could get a slight "brute force" bend without kinking. I still would be worried about fracturing the chrome though.

**glwilson** · 11-30-2009, 08:41 PM

Seems to me you would be far better off with new bars that meet your requirements.

Just a thought...

**ringadingh** · 11-30-2009, 09:27 PM

You could probably tweak them some to get them where you want by slipping a length of pipe over the end of the bar and bending them. Just check them with a tape measure to make them the same on both sides. Ive done this on 7/8" bars with no damage to chrome at all.

macmac · 11-30-2009, 10:32 PM

It depends I guess.... On how much. You can make a vice jig with say 2x4 of oak with a 1 inch hole first drilled the long way thru the oak, then sawing thru the middle so when champed center in a vise the bars are not going anywhere.

Then with black pipe in a common electricians bender, padded with leather, you can likely get that gain you want.

The oak could grab nearer where you want the bend, too, but you would need a dead on match to the other side.

AlabamaNomadRider · 12-01-2009, 01:05 AM

I'm with Mac in getting the match exactly on each side. I think I would just look at replacing them. Just a thought.

billz410 · 12-01-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glwilson

Seems to me you would be far better off with new bars that meet your requirements.

Just a thought...

I suppose you never hear any of your new Harley 'friends' talking about needing to bend handlebars, huh?????

**glwilson** · 12-01-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billz410

Quote:

Originally Posted by glwilson

Seems to me you would be far better off with new bars that meet your requirements.

Just a thought...

I suppose you never hear any of your new Harley 'friends' talking about needing to bend handlebars, huh?????

Ouch Bill!! ;)

bobhamlin · 12-01-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psychocycle

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobhamlin

For me, achieving symmetry seems to be the challenge.

...but just be prepared to buy a new bar if all does not go well. Lots of different bars on the market at fairly reasonable prices if you do end up goofing the bars. Good Luck. ;)

My standard practice is to obtain a used whatever on eBay (or elsewhere) before attempting any irreversible action. Sometimes good ideas don't always pan out.

phenrichs · 12-01-2009, 09:17 AM

I am bob on this one. I would go to your local hd dealer. When people buy a ne wbike and order it with custom parts 99% of those parts are put on at the dealer and not in the factory. They then take the stock parts and put them in storage. Once a year our local dealer has an auction for all the take off parts but I have stopped in and bought parts at various times of the year. you could mix and match through what they have and maybe find what you need. either that or buy a used set even if they are in terrible condition to at least try the bending or fit before potentially wrecking your stockers.

11-30-2009, 11:35 AM	#1
bobhamlin Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Thurmont MD Posts: 760	Bending handlebars? I have risers on my bike, but the grips are still just a tad too far forward for perfect fit. Has anyone bent their bars (intentionally, of course) to bring the grips even more rearward? I'm imagining a process of clamping the bar in a vise and brute-forcing a couple more degrees of angle. Thoughts? I've restored several bikes, so I know that bent bars don't necessarily destroy chrome or weaken them beyond safe performance. For me, achieving symmetry seems to be the challenge. __________________ Bob Hamlin RC PGR '06 VN1600D6F Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

11-30-2009, 03:25 PM	#2
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	Bending handlebars? It should work but you might need some sort of tube bender so that the bar doesn't try to "kink" at the place where it bends. __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
	0

11-30-2009, 03:40 PM	#3
chainsaw Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,732	Bending handlebars? You maybe could take them to a muffler shop that uses pipe benders and have them done. Should cost next to nothing to have done.
	0

11-30-2009, 04:20 PM	#4
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Bending handlebars? Good luck! Let us know how it goes! __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
	0

11-30-2009, 08:21 PM	#7
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Bending handlebars? My biggest concern would be the chrome cracking. If you can fill the bars with sand and plug the ends you could get a slight "brute force" bend without kinking. I still would be worried about fracturing the chrome though. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
	0

11-30-2009, 08:41 PM	#8
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Bending handlebars? Seems to me you would be far better off with new bars that meet your requirements. Just a thought... __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
	0

11-30-2009, 09:27 PM	#9
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Bending handlebars? You could probably tweak them some to get them where you want by slipping a length of pipe over the end of the bar and bending them. Just check them with a tape measure to make them the same on both sides. Ive done this on 7/8" bars with no damage to chrome at all. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

11-30-2009, 10:32 PM	#10
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Bending handlebars? It depends I guess.... On how much. You can make a vice jig with say 2x4 of oak with a 1 inch hole first drilled the long way thru the oak, then sawing thru the middle so when champed center in a vise the bars are not going anywhere. Then with black pipe in a common electricians bender, padded with leather, you can likely get that gain you want. The oak could grab nearer where you want the bend, too, but you would need a dead on match to the other side. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

12-01-2009, 01:05 AM	#11
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Bending handlebars? I'm with Mac in getting the match exactly on each side. I think I would just look at replacing them. Just a thought. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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12-01-2009, 09:17 AM	#15
phenrichs Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 2,498	Bending handlebars? I am bob on this one. I would go to your local hd dealer. When people buy a ne wbike and order it with custom parts 99% of those parts are put on at the dealer and not in the factory. They then take the stock parts and put them in storage. Once a year our local dealer has an auction for all the take off parts but I have stopped in and bought parts at various times of the year. you could mix and match through what they have and maybe find what you need. either that or buy a used set even if they are in terrible condition to at least try the bending or fit before potentially wrecking your stockers.
	0

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