Bent handle bars

[watersuper]

Anyone have a suggestion on how to straighten bent handlebars?
The right side is bent down about one inch after a minor mishap.

 

[Sticks in the Face]

My experience an inch might be a bit much - not because it couldn't be brought back but because it will more than likely reduce the resilancy of the bar material. So it'll probably bend again even easier the next time a "mishap" occours.

So I guess I would advise to replace the bars rather than try and repair by bending them back by that amount.

Just my thoughts. . .

 

[kinger]

We bent my Dads back from about a 3" bend at the tip of the bar been good for 2 seasons since. Just got two guys on the end and gave her a lift and straigtened it out perfectly.

 

[mbw919]

What model do you have? I have an '06 Vector handlebar that I've offered in the "Pay It Forward" thread:

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... c&start=30

I'm sure many handlebars have been straightened without a problem, but metal fatigue is a valid concern. It wouldn't be any fun to have it break while riding.

 

[ahicks]

As long as they aren't kinked or partially collapsed you should be able to bend them back. Mine have been straightened as well. You certainly have nothing to loose by trying. If they look OK afterward they probably are...

 

[RTYsxv]

I had a bent set from a rollover on my Apex. I felt like I was going to break the riser or something when I tried to bend them back, so I took them off, heated them to bend them back, and repainted everything up to the handgrips.

As far as weakening the bars, I don't think it's that big of a deal - if they start to bend easily then you can replace them at that time. You might as well try to fix the set you have now rather then buying a new set IMO.

 

[04rxw10]

Anyone have a suggestion on how to straighten bent handlebars?
The right side is bent down about one inch after a minor mishap.

If you have a RX1 I have a set I can give you I will be in NH tomorrow or Sunday Just need to replace the connecters on the warmers I had to cut them off to use on my apex bars.

 

[Rockmeister]

As long as they aren't kinked or partially collapsed you should be able to bend them back. Mine have been straightened as well. You certainly have nothing to loose by trying. If they look OK afterward they probably are...

X2

 

[snoway]

Had the exact cond as you, watersuper.
To avoid putting pressure on the post, I used a 24" pipe wrench, held flat with the jaws opened full.
Lay the long end,(top jaw) on top of the bar close to the bend, and then the lower jaw under the bar out towards the grip end,
place the bar as deep as you can into the throat of the wench, and lift till you feel it bend up.
I got lucky with the 1st try raising the bent side back to match the other bar sides height.

To get an accurate measurement off the running board to the bar ends, I placed an 8' straight edge along the track and centered the skis off of it to ensure the bars were centered also.
Then carefully measure up off the same spot on the running board on each side.

 

[watersuper]

Thanks for all the suggestions and offers. I think I will bend them back into shape and the Apex will be as good as new. Snoway good tips on how to measure the bars location to be sure they are truly straight.

 

[sleddingfarmer]

I used a pipe wrench also, but put a cheater bar on the pipe wrench for more leverage.

 

[watersuper]

Straightened bars with pipe wrench and all went well. They were out less than 3/4 inch.
Now will order Yamaheaters and sled will be ready to go.