Bent Bars?

[Mister Fishfinger]

Standing back to admire my new tyre and lovely clean bike today, I had a strange feeling that it didn't look completely straight. So I took a tape measure to it.

With the bike on a flat floor, on the centre stand, it's 109.5cm from the centre of the left bar end to the floor. On the right side, the same measurement comes out at 114.5cm.

I reckon at some point in the past it has been dropped on its right side, there are some scuffs on the right bar end which would seem to confirm that. So what do we think? I reckon it should be possible to straighten it with a decent length of bar for leverage.

[gsxbarmy]

Personally I would not bend bars straight - false economy IMO, as I think it can only service to weaken them. Mind you, it must have gone a whack on its side to bend the bars like that

I'd fit a replacement set, either another set of standards or maybe take the opportunity to fit some different bars like Renthals perhaps - many have fitted the Renthal 758 Ultra-lows in the past to give a slightly "leaning forward" stance, had them on mine and was very happy with them.

[seth]

As said never good trying to straighten bent bars .
But before you do check more measurements
ie.
End of bars to the same place  on the tank badge , end if bars to the footrests , end of bars to center of front axle just to confirm they are bent(as could be the way the stand lets the bike sit if it's worn or bent giving a wrong measurement ) then if they are change for standard or after market ones as you like (barmy's suggestion is very good )

[Mister Fishfinger]

Thanks, I only had a quick measure tonight just to check that my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. I'll make a few more tomorrow, those are good suggestions.

Do Renthals need different bar end weights? The inside diameter is different, right?

[Sweaty]

Great point about the measurements Seth.

[gsxbarmy]

Thanks, I only had a quick measure tonight just to check that my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. I'll make a few more tomorrow, those are good suggestions.

Do Renthals need different bar end weights? The inside diameter is different, right?

Yes, the standard ones won't fit, so you will need some new ones. The aluminium ones Renthal do are too light (IMO), I fitted a set of Oberon Stainless Bar End weights to mine, as very similar to standard in size, shape and weight.

[grog]

Dont re bend, i did once. Not on 14 but cracked on hard braking, miles from home. Never again. My bars are standard but wouldnt mind slightly lower. Tried 30mm risers, horrible. Back to stock but now thinking lower. How much lower are 758? I use bar end mirrors, obv wont fit in renthals. Any other bars with same internal size as originals, want to keep my mirrors. Thanks.

[gsxbarmy]

Dont re bend, i did once. Not on 14 but cracked on hard braking, miles from home. Never again. My bars are standard but wouldnt mind slightly lower. Tried 30mm risers, horrible. Back to stock but now thinking lower. How much lower are 758? I use bar end mirrors, obv wont fit in renthals. Any other bars with same internal size as originals, want to keep my mirrors. Thanks.

@grog
Comparison of Renthal to standard bars http://gsx1400owners.org/forum_test/index.php?topic=290.0

Not sure why your bar ends will not fit as if they are set in the end and pull up the bung on a screw, I can't see why they won't fit?

[KiwiCol]

I've got some 754's due to be delivered any day now, thinking I may put the bar-end mirrors on them.

I 'straightened' the original bars on the black. Nearly back to how it should be, but there's a definite bend in 1 spot, it was just a stop gap measure till the new ones get here. I was surprised how easily i managed to bend them back into position.

[Mister Fishfinger]

Have a look at this photo I took today. If you line up the bars with the fork tops, you can see that the clamps are out of line. It's also noticeable on the top yoke - the clamps are nearer the front edge of the yoke on the right hand side.

I slackened it all off and brought it back more or less in line, but there's no doubt the bars are still bent. You don't need to measure it, you can see it easily enough by eye. A spirit level confirms, the grips are at different angles on each side.

So I think I'm going to do the Renthal thing.

[seth]

Definitely bent then change
If there that much out at the clamps they'll be a lot out at the grips.
Renthals are good and cheap enough.
Plenty of info on renthals here and fitting bar-ends/mirrors ect.

Seth

[Mister Fishfinger]

Actually seth, it's not just the bars. The clamps themselves were out of line. But yeah, the bars are toast I think.

By the way - I had a look at the bar end weights. I thought these would have some sort of internal clamp, but it seems like they just screw into a female thread in the handlebar, which is welded in place. If so, I guess you would definitely need new bar end weights for any new bars, not just Renthals.

[seth]

Glad you found all that was out of line.
Hopefully it all will sorted asap.
Yes its a daft suzuki thing on some models of gsx1400's having a welded in boss in the end of the bars but not all.

Good luck 

[gsxbarmy]

Hopefully this may help if you go the Renthal route

http://gsx1400owners.org/forum_test/index.php?topic=290.0

[grog]

might have to get 758, lower but mainly like the 15mm lower at bar end. mustve been wrong about internal size, thought i read on here they a smaller. bar end mirrors will fit using the rubber slide in thingos?tighten to expand im trying to say. current on stock bars they screw into welded bit in bars. hope im making some sense.