Best Method to Fix Bent Handlebar

tony7kp · May 14th, 2012, 10:25 AM

I need to straighten out my handle bars that was bent when I bought the bike. The handle bar touches the fairing when turned all the way to the right, and there is very small clearance when its turned to the left.

Is there a good method of straightening out the bend? Would a bike shop take care of this? Or will I need to get new handle bars to get it straight.

Jiggles · May 14th, 2012, 10:33 AM

3 things, a vice, a torch, and a long pipe

cuong-nutz · May 14th, 2012, 10:38 AM

I managed to hammer mine back relatively straight with a BFH due to my limited tools. This method won't be pretty.

Do as Jiggles mentioned. Take the handle bars off with all the controls off, put it in a vice, slide pipe over the handle bar, and bend it straight.

CZroe · May 14th, 2012, 11:48 AM

I never noticed that my right handlebar was bent until I took it off to install my clip-ons. A neighborhood guy with a shop straightened it out mostly but said that it was as straight as he could get it without damaging it structurally. There are some marks where the vice was marring it as the force was applied to the bar and the bar is not perfectly round near the point it was bent from. I don't know if it will cause a fitment issue because I never put my controls back on it (installed the clip-ons). It does look perfectly usable and, well, I was using them before straightening without knowing anything was wrong, so I would say that it is possible to straighten them and use them. The only thing is that they will obviously never be as strong as they were when they bent under the first impact.

alex.s · May 14th, 2012, 01:04 PM

spend $20 on a used replacement

tony7kp · May 14th, 2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

spend $20 on a used replacement

I been looking around for some replacements, but never found anything close to a $20 range. Are you quoting anything specific? If its that cheap, I'll gladly replace it, but haven't found anything, which is why I'm looking for a fix.

alex.s · May 14th, 2012, 01:10 PM

find a local junk yard

CZroe · May 14th, 2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

find a local junk yard

For motorcycles? That's a tall order.

alex.s · May 14th, 2012, 01:18 PM

is it? there are 4 within 100 miles of me... i figured they were somewhat common

tony7kp · May 14th, 2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

is it? there are 4 within 100 miles of me... i figured they were somewhat common

Searched for junk yards. Only found 1 in the state and still nowhere near me, but worth a check. Emailed them to see if they have any parts for the bike. Don't have high hopes but thanks for the idea. Could pay off.

Racer x · May 14th, 2012, 03:06 PM

My first reaction was to just replace the bar. I did a quick e bay search and found nothing cheap.There are lots of clip ons and people aski g 100 dollars for handlebars. I was shocked at the price. I guess it is an item that is always damaged so the price is high.

How bent is it? Is there a noticable fold in the metal?

EthioKnight · May 14th, 2012, 03:29 PM

I also recently noticed that my right handlebar was bent...took me almost 5000 miles and some one's observation (posted a picture here) to realize it. Performance wise, it doesn't bother me at all (it's slight), but I'm installing woodcrafts clip-ons, so that the fix for me I guess

...good luck fixing yours.

Audi_O · May 14th, 2012, 03:45 PM

I installed clip-ons and dont need my stock bars. I can send them to you for $30 shipped. They dont have the bar ends though. They are like brand new, took them off before 600 miles.

tony7kp · May 15th, 2012, 07:47 AM

The bar isn't bent that much and I been driving it fine without any issues. But due to the bar, it didn't pass my stupid state inspection and needs to get fixed it order to get it registered.

tony7kp · May 15th, 2012, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audi_O

I installed clip-ons and dont need my stock bars. I can send them to you for $30 shipped. They dont have the bar ends though. They are like brand new, took them off before 600 miles.

That'll be great. I can use my current bar ends, so no issue there. Sent you a PM.

May 14th, 2012, 10:25 AM	#1
tony7kp ninjette.org member Name: Han Location: Columbia, MD Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 77	Best Method to Fix Bent Handlebar I need to straighten out my handle bars that was bent when I bought the bike. The handle bar touches the fairing when turned all the way to the right, and there is very small clearance when its turned to the left. Is there a good method of straightening out the bend? Would a bike shop take care of this? Or will I need to get new handle bars to get it straight.

May 14th, 2012, 10:33 AM	#2
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	3 things, a vice, a torch, and a long pipe __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

May 14th, 2012, 10:38 AM	#3
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	I managed to hammer mine back relatively straight with a BFH due to my limited tools. This method won't be pretty. Do as Jiggles mentioned. Take the handle bars off with all the controls off, put it in a vice, slide pipe over the handle bar, and bend it straight. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

May 14th, 2012, 01:04 PM	#5
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	spend $20 on a used replacement __________________________________________________

May 14th, 2012, 01:10 PM	#7
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	find a local junk yard __________________________________________________

May 14th, 2012, 11:48 AM	#4
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I never noticed that my right handlebar was bent until I took it off to install my clip-ons. A neighborhood guy with a shop straightened it out mostly but said that it was as straight as he could get it without damaging it structurally. There are some marks where the vice was marring it as the force was applied to the bar and the bar is not perfectly round near the point it was bent from. I don't know if it will cause a fitment issue because I never put my controls back on it (installed the clip-ons). It does look perfectly usable and, well, I was using them before straightening without knowing anything was wrong, so I would say that it is possible to straighten them and use them. The only thing is that they will obviously never be as strong as they were when they bent under the first impact.

May 14th, 2012, 01:18 PM	#9
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	is it? there are 4 within 100 miles of me... i figured they were somewhat common __________________________________________________

May 14th, 2012, 03:06 PM	#11
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	My first reaction was to just replace the bar. I did a quick e bay search and found nothing cheap.There are lots of clip ons and people aski g 100 dollars for handlebars. I was shocked at the price. I guess it is an item that is always damaged so the price is high. How bent is it? Is there a noticable fold in the metal?

May 14th, 2012, 03:29 PM	#12
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	I also recently noticed that my right handlebar was bent...took me almost 5000 miles and some one's observation (posted a picture here) to realize it. Performance wise, it doesn't bother me at all (it's slight), but I'm installing woodcrafts clip-ons, so that the fix for me I guess ...good luck fixing yours.

May 14th, 2012, 03:45 PM	#13
Audi_O ninjette.org member Name: O Location: Houston Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	I installed clip-ons and dont need my stock bars. I can send them to you for $30 shipped. They dont have the bar ends though. They are like brand new, took them off before 600 miles.

May 15th, 2012, 07:47 AM	#14
tony7kp ninjette.org member Name: Han Location: Columbia, MD Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 77	The bar isn't bent that much and I been driving it fine without any issues. But due to the bar, it didn't pass my stupid state inspection and needs to get fixed it order to get it registered.

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