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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: jonathaneugene on May 19, 2010, 01:51:02 PM

Title: Strong-arming the handlebars
Post by: jonathaneugene on May 19, 2010, 01:51:02 PM
My bike's handlebars are slightly bent.  I've considered my options, but in order to make a decision I need to know if anyone has bent their handlebars back to original.  So, any known he-men out there with successful outcomes?
(left side is bent, right side is good-to-go!)
(http://files.me.com/jonathaneugene/dyf7qi)
Title: Re: Strong-arming the handlebars
Post by: plurpimpin on May 19, 2010, 02:09:20 PM
I tried but it didn't work. Ended up jet getting a new set ($20 superbike bars off ebay).
Title: Re: Strong-arming the handlebars
Post by: ohgood on May 19, 2010, 02:10:16 PM
Quote from: jonathaneugene on May 19, 2010, 01:51:02 PM
My bike's handlebars are slightly bent.  I've considered my options, but in order to make a decision I need to know if anyone has bent their handlebars back to original.  So, any known he-men out there with successful outcomes?
(left side is bent, right side is good-to-go!)
(http://files.me.com/jonathaneugene/dyf7qi)


NICE BIKE !

good luck with that, you'll need a good long cheater pole. like 8 ft.

gs bars are cheap, around $20 for chrome oem from good folks of gstwins. i'd go for chrome. :)
Title: Re: Strong-arming the handlebars
Post by: tt_four on May 19, 2010, 03:32:09 PM
If you're gonna bend them I'd clamp the center into a vice and then put a big cheater bar around the left.

Are you fond of the stock position? personally I'd use this as an excuse to try out some other kinds of handlebars.
Title: Re: Strong-arming the handlebars
Post by: DoD#i on May 19, 2010, 05:03:42 PM
Spend $20 on new ones - it's hard verging on damn near impossible to get them back all the way right, generally never get beyond close, and if you screw with them enough there's a concern about fatigue stress.

Check with local dealer - often they can get you the same stuff as mail-order with no shipping, and at a price differential that's less than shipping, so you save money in the end - unless they are ebil, or you are ordering lots of stuff at once.

Look for Bikemaster bars - I think the Daytona is closest to GS500 stock. Superbike is lower. European is lower but more back. GP touring is more back, but higher than the European and SuperBike.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/68/1/0/61/DEPARTMENT/Bikemaster-Street-Bike-Handlebars-Controls-Accessories.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/68/1/0/61/DEPARTMENT/Bikemaster-Street-Bike-Handlebars-Controls-Accessories.aspx)

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=5740&gift=False&mscssid=39562F4B24BB4AA59DD3C217F03BDD4B (http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=5740&gift=False&mscssid=39562F4B24BB4AA59DD3C217F03BDD4B)
Title: Re: Strong-arming the handlebars
Post by: tt_four on May 19, 2010, 07:22:03 PM
Did you try just pushing the bike over on the right side?  :dunno_black:

Get some of these handlebars.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/mintbread1/76172336071628.jpg)