Bending handlebars
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 368
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From: Montgomery, Alabama
Bending handlebars
I'm swapping out bars to 10" khromewerks apes but was thinking of modifying my old stock bars a bit to put in a different bike. Nothing major, but changing the sweep a few degrees. So more of a twist than a bend. Has anybody tried this? Just curious if it would actually work. I've read a few things online about filling them with sand/lead shot, not to heat them so that they don't distort or weaken the strength. But ultimately it'd be about an inch of movement overall.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
I've done it. Chuck up the center of the bars in a vice, use a close diameter pipe on the grip end, and pull. Getting it matched on both sides takes a little work. As well, watch out for bending where you don't want it to be happening. You are likely to scar up the bars a little.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 17,684
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From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
You have nothing to lose if it don't work, but I think an inch you're going to possibly kink it. Couple degrees yes, probably can be done. Let us know how you make out. Get the right clamping and as above mentioned by Foxtrapper, pipe that fits the bars to work with.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 368
Likes: 37
From: Montgomery, Alabama
Alright, I'll try it out this weekend and post the results for future use. I've done actual pipe bending in the past. But these have been heat treated and chromed, so the material properties are different. Given the wall thickness wasn't sure how it would handle. But we'll find out lol
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 205
From: Manchester, MI
Chrome is not flexible. It is a hard coating so as KCFLHC stated, the chrome will at the very least form spiderweb cracks on the outside radius. When you bend metal, he outside stretches.
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Stage I
Joined: Jun 2021
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From: Portland Oregon
Did it work? Any pics? I want to do the same with my wheebarrow bars on the 2017 Road Glide.
Did it work? Any pics? I want to do the same with my wheebarrow bars on the 2017 Road Glide.
Alright, I'll try it out this weekend and post the results for future use. I've done actual pipe bending in the past. But these have been heat treated and chromed, so the material properties are different. Given the wall thickness wasn't sure how it would handle. But we'll find out lol
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Maybe he didn't know the thread was 3 years old.
As so many of these arm chair riders say; use the search.
Maybe this thread/answer came up......................
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