Hi Mates,
Well, my ribs are still sore ten days after my spill, but it hasn't kept me from doing what I must. I need to ask if I can realistically unbend the handlebars and return them (close) to their original posture. I'm guessing I should remove the bars rather than risk forcing anything that torques the forks and should I warm up the metal before trying this? I will also need to do the same with the gear shift peg and the foot peg. Neither broke but just bent a little.
Thanks for any advice.
Yes you can successfully bend all of these parts back into shape depending of course on just how bent they are. I have bent handlebars while on the bike and I was surprised that it didn't take all that much force. I did heat the bars some, but just enough to make them warm, not hot. Take both bar ends off and use a heat gun on one end. Use a long rod inserted into the end you intend to bend. I used a ratchet strap to secure the other end in the right position. Was the better option for me rather than removing all of the controls and taking the bars off.
Personally I might just look into replacing these parts unless you really love the stock handle bar. You could source the footpegs and shifter from ebay or another forum member for around $30 and a replacement handle bar like the superbike bar can be had for $20-$25. $50-$60 to replace these parts might be easier and safer than bending them.
Good luck
Thanks NYNJ8. Good advice all around.
Not pooh poohing the idea... but is heatgun heat enough to make bars bend easier?! ... I would have thought steel was a butane/propane torch job at least?! ... don't get me wrong tho. . If heatgun is enough then cool/good info!
My heat gun gets up to 650 Celcuis (1202F), so I guess it's not a stretch to say it would make the steel at least a little easier to bend.
650! ... crikey! ... it's been awhile since I looked at heatgun then! Lol.... carry on! :thumb:
Quote from: mimikeni on February 03, 2015, 08:53:31 AM
Hi Mates,
Well, my ribs are still sore ten days after my spill, but it hasn't kept me from doing what I must. I need to ask if I can realistically unbend the handlebars and return them (close) to their original posture. I'm guessing I should remove the bars rather than risk forcing anything that torques the forks and should I warm up the metal before trying this? I will also need to do the same with the gear shift peg and the foot peg. Neither broke but just bent a little.
Thanks for any advice.
Replace them. Rebending will weaken the metal.
I've been looking at bending handlebars, but let go of the idea... safety is the issue.
You can find good handlebars online from $35 and up.
Some of the pedals on my 'other' bikes I've been able to bend with a hammer. My Honda Vt750 had a 4mm chrome plated steel pedal, and could only be bent by hydraulic pump.
No amount of hammering helped....
YMMV on the GS. I've never had to bend them, save for the gear pedal, which was possible on a concrete floor, with a wooden log partially under it, and a thick hammer.
My GS fell a few times from center stand while doing maintenance :o