Handlebar Rebending?!? Is it safe?

Hey all.
I am asking for some safety minded help this time.
As most of you know parts are harder to come by now more than ever.
I have some damage to the original handlebars, kinda bent.
Not bad, but the angle makes for a not so fun ride.
I cant find the OEMs so I was thinking of bending them back.
The picture attached look at the right hand side where the damage occured.
Will this bending be dangerous?
I appreciate everyones .02 on this matter

 

When I got my XJ700 last year the previous owner had laid it down on its right side resulting in the RH half of the handlebar to be bent down and in slightly. Since the bar was not kinked and there were no signs of cracking I was able to tweak the bar back into place. The chrome never spit and the metal shows very few signs of fatigue at the point where I "adjusted" it. I have riden the bike for over 6,000 miles since without any incidents. My strongest caution to you is to make sure the bar is not and does not kink, crack, or deform in any way. Best of luck.

 

I'll agree with Teewinot. I believe we are dealing with chrome plated mild steel tube. Anything that doesn't cause the chrome to crack and flake isn't hurting the tube. So long as you don't have a major crease or out of round of the tube you should be just fine.

 

The Plated Steel Tube-type might need some heating to stay unbent.

The Billet Style or the Cast Aluminum-type is liable to break if the bend was severe.

In the case of Cast and Billet. You are going to need some strong heat and a Hydraulic Press to do any successful unbending.

I've seen a few Aluminum Rims straightened by heat and pressing. There's always a chance to get it back right. But, awkward bends in the Original undamaged piece make it tough to place on the press for the application of force.

 

The bars that are on there are the original.
I realy need to tear those plastic fairings off to see what damage was done.
Been so busy with rehabalitation/therapy to get to the bike more often.
Went to see it today but got there...no key to the storage area. That sucked.
I will see if I can get any photos of the bend/bar.

 

I agree with the others. The stockers are steel so if they are just tweeked a little (like they look in the picture) then I wouldn't worry about bending them back harming them. The tuff part will be making sure they are strait, in New York if the bars are bent you fail inspection, well unless you know where to take your bike :wink: .

 

Don't they have a "Rise Limit" on Ape-hangers in NY; too???

 

Yeah It is either so many inches from the ground or from the seat height, I don't remeber which. I have never had an issue with that one :lol: .

 

Well if that is the case then thanks a bunch.
I will take them off soon and examine.
If it is indeed a small bend I will take it to a shop for re-bending
If it is worse than it looks I will post some more pics.
Cant get to the bike for a few days, but will make time during labor day weekend. At least thats my plan.

 

You might be able to get the bent portion corrected by a clever fellow who really knows his way around a pipe bending machine at a Muffler Shop.

 

Thats the kind of place I was planning on going to.
Still have to get the bars off, but a peak under the bonnet(fairings) provide hope.
No big bends, looks "normal" just one bar is closer.
Still need some 82 xj750rj seca parts...

 

15" from the seat IIRC.

Bars can be bent back ONCE - after that replace them, and once only if they're not kinked or severely deformed.

 

I removed the plastic and took a look inside.
No visible damage, but did not have an allen big enough to remove it.
Talked to a guy yesterday who said he would take a look at them, but made no promises.
I will get them off soon, maybe next weekend.
That guy had a 83 maxim that was so badly taken care of.
Had a drilling pipe for exhaust...haha
Extention cord for wiring in some places.
Truly a shame

 

That's not the kind of guy I would be wanting to make recommendations to me on what to do about my bike.

He seems to need you making recommendations to HIM!

 

Thanks for the compliment...i guess....
No he has a few bikes he buys and resales after fixing a few bugs.
Well this bike just has too many bugs.
Just funny the only other xj in my small town is a hunk o' junk.
I will go out today and pull those bars off.
If I had a torch and a vise I might do it myself, but for a few buck I could watch someone.
BTW Rico- Nothing, I mean nothing, was worth having off that bike. You couldnt pay me to ride that POS. That was the sorriest junk heap every. Truley a shame

 

*Update*
Took the bars to that shop.
The guy put them in a vice and lightly tapped for 20 mins.
While waiting saw a xj sitting in the scrap heap and :lol: bam!
I asked him if he would mind me taking a few parts he said "Have Fun"
Got most of the right side items and looked a little more.
It still had the CDI and I know how much people need those.
Might still be a tool kit as well but dont really know on that one.
After all that I asked how much I owed and he said "Hell...nothing"
This guyis gonna get some referals from me.

Anyway the bars are symetrical, and mounted up perfectly
I can tell a differance

 

Go get more stuff ...

 

And pay him handsomely!!! Rewards like that can make a great impression for life!