BENDING old handlebars - Good or Bad Idea?

Hey all, another mod question.

I'll start by saying I have a parts bike. What id like to do is pull everything off the second set of bars and put a blow torch to it. Once its nice and warm I figure id man handle them attempting to shape it into something more my style.

1st, Is this possible to do by hand? I may need to pull the bars off and pop it into the table vice.
2nd, will this change the structural integrity of the bars?

Any thoughts on this.

 

Hello Recordless,

I too have often thought of bending things to fit - and on many occasions, have! But have never applied that logic to handlebars for a few reasons.

My first thought to this is: "Why?"

With the rationale being the initial thought of: 1. Cost of handlebars are super inexpensive 2. Bending steel/aluminum bars will result in changes to material wall thickness that could impair its structural integrity. This is also coming from the guy who can ride carbon fiber mountain bike everything without issue (counterintuitive logic to motos).

Would feel more confident chopping and welding a pair of handlebars than I would bending. Might you have something very custom in mind for handlebar shape that isn't offered from current handlebar manufacturers?

Running a $26 pair of Krator drag bars here and love them. Amazon Link: http://a.co/3SkZ20r

Good luck man, let us know how it turns out!

 

I would advise against bending personally. That being said, I modded a set of bars for my maxim by cutting them, adding tube of the same diameter and wall thickness, and welding back together changing rise, pull back, etc. I took it one step further, mostly for my own piece of mind, and added some solid round stock inside of the areas I modified which I plug welded as well as welded together all pieces at the seams. Turned out ok. I can always cut them back apart and rework them if I don't like them. I started with some stock honda bars out of a parts pile so I wasn't out anything even if I messed up and they were destroyed beyond repair.

 

harbor freight sells a tube bending tool and sell more mandrels for it would be a better way to go

https://www.harborfreight.com/bench-top-bar-and-rod-bender-38471.html





they also sell a set of square rod bending mandrills

 

This is a bad idea if you are off even a slight amount this can effect handling.

 

HaHaHaHa

 

Ever notice how you get flat spots and folds when you bend a tube? Those spots would be very weak, and look bad. XJ550H's suggestion of mandrel bending would prevent it, but simply buying the bar you want would be much cheaper!

 

Well that about sums it. Bad idea lol.

Thanks guys.