Handle bars bent - need advice!

[stephan]

I bought my GS500 knowing full well that it had been tipped over a few times according to the evidence I saw and what the seller told me.  As I walked into our garage the other day I noticed the handle bars are a bit askew, something I didn't notice before.  I certainly don't blame the seller, he was very honest regarding the bike from what I can tell.  It's my own fault for missing it.

Anyway, the handle bars are bent on the brake side.  My questions is, does it really matter?  I was sitting there looking at the handle bars and it looks easy enough to remove but . . . . . . there's all the fun electrical wires and cables to re-route.  This is my first bike so I don't have much wrenching experience besides general maintenance on cars.  But I certainly have no problem getting my hands dirty.

So what do you think?  Should I fix it or live with it?  Also, how hard is it to replace the handle bars?

Thanks for any info you can share!  

[The Buddha]

I'd replace them... 2 reasons... they are cheap enough, and the damn things are made of paper thin tubing... takes very little for them to bend more or break and you dont want either to happen under hard braking...
Cool.
Srinath.

[JeffD]

Well Mines been over a few time (stupid college students) anyway my brake side handlebar is bent In a tad (like 5-10 degrees)  not a whole lot.  I notice it after long rides on the highway because my wrist is bent a little funny.  But I say get to it when you get to it.   Get confident on your bike and then replace it, Because what happens if you just put your new bar on and drop it.     I think it will be ok.

[The Buddha]

OK fine... but I have had the bars on my virago bend under braking after being twisted in an accident. bent handle bars bend more easily and the next time they fall you may end up hitting the tank with the bar. Happened on my 89 in the 2000 crash I had. Within small limits of course it might retain most of its strength. It is steel, but not really mild steel, its CDOM (cold drawn over mandrel) and tends to be more brittle than mild steel. And bends do weaken it. But JeffD has a point... if it took you a few days to see it, chances are its not too bad.
Cool.
Srinath.

[stephan]

It is steel, but not really mild steel, its CDOM (cold drawn over mandrel) and tends to be more brittle than mild steel. And bends do weaken it. But JeffD has a point... if it took you a few days to see it, chances are its not too bad.
Cool.
Srinath.

That makes perfect sense.  I know for sure trying to bend it back is the worst thing I could do.  We all know what happens the more you bend metal - *SNAP!*

I could only tell it was bent when I sighted down the centerline of the bike at the handle bars at eye level, so your right, it's not that bad.

I think it'll be okay for the time being, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Gee Srinath . . . . I don't know where I could find new bars   :mrgreen:

[The Buddha]

Well I might be sold out...  :mrgreen:
You'd buy mine cos you want that position to ride... that's really the point. I dont sell bars cos there are none available in the market. So while yes buying for a bent bar is fine... my target is people that dont think the stock is good and lower and the right angle is what they want. So I am not trying to make a sale by telling you to get new ones... heck if you want I'll send you the stock ones I got lying about. But if you at some point think the position and angle of the stock bars are just un natural and bad... that's why I make them. BTW the stock type bars cost $15-20 at your local bike store. Mine would set you back ~$50 including shipping. That alone is enough to make people buy it only if they want the position/angle.
Cool.
Srinath.

[stephan]

I'm just messing with you . . .  

I understand what your saying.  I know your not giving me bum advice just to make a sale.

However if you're serious about those stock bars you have, and if you have a black one in good shape, shoot me a price!  

[The Buddha]

Gino gave them to me... and they are free if you send me shipping. !7-8 bucks will be shipping cost and they aren't worth that IMHO... I was going to slice them up to make 89 clip on tubes... for which they work grea...cos weaker the better, you dont want the more expensive aluminum parts off an 89 to break. Anyway I can find enough pipe lying around the place... so yea send me $$$ and an address and I'll send it. Preferably like in the next 1/2 hour so I'll send it out tonight with the others.
Cool.
Srinath.

[The Buddha]

Well and you can send money check or somehting later... just commit to send me the $$$ and I'll send it... rather have 1 trip to send a bunch than do it 1 at a time.
Thanks.
Srinath.