Bent handlebar

[kitchenman]

What to do?
Fix it myself? .. (how?)
Take it to LBS?
Take it to a special BS which has special handlebar straightening out equipment?
Take it to the small engineering place - like the one that made my spoke adapter plate?
Leave it as it is? .. I can still steer ...

Photo:

 

[Mussels]

Handlebars are made to tight tolerances with the minimum of metal. If I bent mine I'd replace it for a new one as a repair will never be as strong, it's probably cheaper to replace than repair anyway.

 

[amigafan2003]

Replace it - don't repair it. Remember what happens to a paper clip when you bend it back and forths a few times?

I would ride with a handlebar like that - it's been stressed and may even have micro fractures - it could fail at any point.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Are they steel or alloy? Test with a magnet.
If they're steel, remove the lever and grip etc, tape some cardboard round them and whack back into position with a large mallet. Don't use a hammer because you'll dent them. Alloy is more tricky to deal with because it work-hardens at the bend. You can bend them back like the steel ones provided you heat them up at the point where they need to bend to nearly red hot before you start and after each movement of about 10mm.

In the photo, it looks like your stem has moved round a bit. The handlebars will be straighter if you re-position it.

 

[kitchenman]

Are they steel or alloy? Test with a magnet.
If they're steel, remove the lever and grip etc, tape some cardboard round them and whack back into position with a large mallet. Don't use a hammer because you'll dent them. Alloy is more tricky to deal with because it work-hardens at the bend. You can bend them back like the steel ones provided you heat them up at the point where they need to bend to nearly red hot before you start and after each movement of about 10mm.

In the photo, it looks like your stem has moved round a bit. The handlebars will be straighter if you re-position it.

Steel ... and I have a large mallet! .. I'll have a go ... The stem had moved and I had re-positioned ... I just need to work on my re-positioning!

 

[kitchenman]

Replace it - don't repair it. Remember what happens to a paper clip when you bend it back and forths a few times?

I would ride with a handlebar like that - it's been stressed and may even have micro fractures - it could fail at any point.

I'll have a go with the mallet. But will also investigate getting a new one .. thanks ..

 

[kitchenman]

Handlebars are made to tight tolerances with the minimum of metal. If I bent mine I'd replace it for a new one as a repair will never be as strong, it's probably cheaper to replace than repair anyway.

Mussels, I'm surprised! I would have thought you to be a fan of the mallet! ...

 

[RoadieRoger]

Fit a pipe over the end of the bar and manipulate it . Protect the handlebar with tape or a rag .

 

[kitchenman]

Fit a pipe over the end of the bar and manipulate it . Protect the handlebar with tape or a rag .

Thats sounds better than hitting it with a mallet! ... what kind of pipe? ... something with a slightly bigger diameter that the bar ... or could I use a bit of scaffolding? ....

Actually, I dont think I can get a pipe onto the bit of the bar that needs attention ...

Heres a photo showing the complete arrangement ..

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Steel ... and I have a large mallet! .. I'll have a go ... The stem had moved and I had re-positioned ... I just need to work on my re-positioning!

Go for it. Dont worry about what they say about cracks or loss of strength. Mild steel wont give these problems, plus there's no stress on them in normal use.

 

[NRG]

I remember years ago the father of a mate of mine fixing my motor bike bars after an off, filled them with sand and expertly beat them back into shape using a mallet while supporting them on a sandbag, he was a clever old bugger!

 

[jerrysimon]

Heres a photo showing the complete arrangement ..
View attachment 2845

What is that on the right, is it attached to the bike ?

Looks like a PSP game pad thingy ?

Regards

Jerry

 

[kitchenman]

What is that on the right, is it attached to the bike ?

Looks like a PSP game pad thingy ?

Regards

Jerry

Yes. Thats right! ... I use a PSP as a rear view camera by plugging in a USB camera. THats what I used to shoot the rear view of my crash ... I came up with the "side table" idea and cable tied a pannier cage which used to be where the motor is now and then strapped a camera tripod minus its legs to use to mount my PSP ... its a bit heath robinson but worked really well and survived the crash! .. I'm looking forward to playing with the config a bit more as ideally the console needs to be a bit further forward and a bit higher ... but I need to straighten out my bars first! ... else I'll just be going round in circles! ...

 

[kitchenman]

I remember years ago the father of a mate of mine fixing my motor bike bars after an off, filled them with sand and expertly beat them back into shape using a mallet while supporting them on a sandbag, he was a clever old bugger!

The kids next door have a sandpit. I wonder .....

 

[Mussels]

Mussels, I'm surprised! I would have thought you to be a fan of the mallet! ...

I am usually but I've done some reading before on handlebars and they are usually very thin metal and reliant on the shape for strength, coupled with it not being unusual for me to hit a pothole when braking hard and the cheap price of new ones I'd go for a replacement.

 

[kitchenman]

I am usually but I've done some reading before on handlebars and they are usually very thin metal and reliant on the shape for strength, coupled with it not being unusual for me to hit a pothole when braking hard and the cheap price of new ones I'd go for a replacement.

I just checked the price, dreading the worst, and was pleasantly surprised to find that I can get replacement bar for £30.00..