Delboy's Garage, "Are Your Handlebars Bent" or just Misaligned ?

[@IsleofMoto]

Great advice and fantastic tutorial! I have 50 years riding and wrenching, please listen to this man's advice! He knows his stuff!!

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you Dan!

[@dirtybiker420]

cheers for planting a seed of doubt into my ocd head lol

[@bhpturboboost]

low tire pressure can also give you a pulling to one side effect/feedback ,. and the choice of tyer you use is also a factor to how well the bike stears in the bends ...

[@mattbishop8917]

Very helpful, thank you. This helped me diagnose a set of bent handle bars.

[@NarcissisticAbuseHealing]

My bike’s bars are bent from a car hitting me from the side. I was hoping I could just bend them back as it is only about 1cm out. But you make a good point in that it may be weakened. Better to save up and replace them. Thank you for an amazing video.

[@Moonfleet41]

Firstly im Sorry to hear that, i hope the bike was parked and you weren't riding it at the time... You can bend a bar back if its a tiny amount and it's steel.. but cast or tempered alloy will be harder to bend back and almost certainly weakened... good luck with it my friend and i hope you can get it fixed. !

[@NarcissisticAbuseHealing]

@@Moonfleet41 thank you. Nope. I was on the bike. A lady passed me and then swerved in while she was still alongside me. Hit me off the bike. My left leg went in between the frame and the chain and sprocket. Broke both bones in my lower left leg. Spent 4 months in a full leg cast and now two months after having the cast removed I can take a few steps without crutches. Took the bike for a ride today for the first time in over 6 months and that’s when I noticed the bar is bent. Other damage on the bike is mirror and brake lever and some scratches as I was under the bike. It’s a Honda cbx 250 twister. Don’t know if it is a steel handle bar.

[@Moonfleet41]

Oh my goodness, that sounds nasty, and im glad to hear that you're on the mend now my Broer, it's amazing how easy a simple nudge on the road can lead to a nasty injury. And it's good to hear you are back on the bike again and making progress.. With the bar, just tough it with a magnet, it it's steel it will stick, alloy wont.. but of course, if you can afford a new bar eventually that would be the best solution.. Take care again and Ride Safe.. Del.

[@NarcissisticAbuseHealing]

@@Moonfleet41 thank you

[@saddamszajbert4023]

Great as always. You hit A bullseye with that one! I'll be doing some front end customisation on my Softail, all of them basen on your films and service manual. Head stock bearings, fork rebulid and many more! Thank you Dell. Ride safe!

[@Moonfleet41]

Good with your projects, glad to know the videos can help you out, ride safe!

[@geneahart5607]

Del, you are a genius! You have saved my behind twice in the last month, first with the broom handle trick and now my handle bars are straight, thank you!

[@papasquatscott7615]

Super helpful and clearly communicated! Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@Volvi373]

Reminds me of the tailors on Savile Row asking his client as he measures the inside leg of his trousers "Which side do you 'dress' Sir"? I reckon my Harley dresses ever so slightly to the left. LOL.

[@zenzen9131]

Great advice :) Someone pushed my 2019 CMX500 Honda Rebel over last summer and my bars were missaligned by what seems about 2 inches at the ends. So much so that I had difficulty in riding the thing 2 miles home. The following morning I had a look and the bars are fitted to the top yoke through a set of 4 rubber bushes. I took them all off and the bolts going through the yokes were perfectly straight and when i put them pack on and nipped everything back up it's all aligned again perfectly now.

[@Moonfleet41]

Good going mate, it's nearly always misalignment of pinch bolts and bushes.

[@cyberjack]

Thanks Dell grate advice. something to add to knowledge collection

[@__Yannick__]

Thank you! I dropped my bike the other day and after picking my bike up the from when was completely off centre. I bent them back while away from home and unscrewed/rescrewed everything when back home and I think it's fine now. I think it's because of my handlebar risers. Maybe I need to get a different set that's interconnected between left/right riser for more stability. It's so great to know all the different steps to go through for next time. Thank you!

[@Moonfleet41]

Most welcome Yannick. Glad it helped!

[@md1997]

Great video. Have been wondering about my bike after an accident and I will check this out tomorrow and find the answer. Thank you!

[@athiannedesirejeanhugues2023]

Man you had that video for four years on the tube and it only now, that I came across it. What a shame. You've given me some really good tips to see if that handle bar of mine is twisted or it is something else going wrong

[@jj.296]

Blessed video , thank you for your info !

[@Moonfleet41]

You are so welcome

[@mauriziocrisera4929]

FANTASTIC AND RATIONAL ADVICES

[@Moonfleet41]

Glad it was helpful!

[@owainlloyd9810]

The bar test has been handy! Thank you

[@Moonfleet41]

Happy to help!

[@BobMan1952]

Once again a fantastic video Thank you

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks for watching, glad it helped!

[@sameenakausar1020]

Awesome ! I've become a fan of your skills.🙌

[@owningmediocricy6487]

Thank you for this great video. just purchased xl1200c and the bar alignment is off. it was dropped and the clutch handle broken. i need to replace the bushings and clutch housing, so i'll start with checking the bars before i loosen the triple tree(your other great video)

[@rikardbjork3491]

Thanks. My bike fall over to The right. For some years ago. Tested. What you said. But. Now Will remow and test in my kitchten.

[@gunznguitarz]

Thank you for posting this. Saved me a trip to the shop.

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

ST1100, I out it down on its side over some slick train tracks in the rain a few years ago. Bars were misaligned, my left hand was a full one inch ahead of my right hand. After watching your video, I decided to invest the time and money in correcting this safety issue. I'm delighted to share, when I loosened the four bolts holding the handlebars inside mount/clamp, I could see the bars just twisted themselves, now free of torsion, and the bars are restored to their original alignment, and if there is a bend, it's MMs instead of CMs. 👍🍻

[@Moonfleet41]

Good result, it's very rare that the bar actually bends.. most of the time either the bar is knocked out of alignment in the clamp like yours, or the forks knocked out in the yokes.. nice when it's a free repair aye.

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

@@Moonfleet41 I mean, she's 675 pounds, and hit with some force, but the tubular bars should have, and did, resist bending. It was the coolest thing to see it unwind itself, saving me tens of dollars and hours of time. Weeeeee. 👍 Thanks for helping the riding community. You wouldn't happen to have a video on the proper "rake" or angle of the bars to the bike, would you?

[@Moonfleet41]

​@@OutsideTheTargetDemographic I don't have such a video as there isn't really a set place for bars, pretty much every bike is just set where you're happy with them, there isn't much range to shift them about anyway, so any adjustment is minimal, most important factor is that you are comfortable and everything functions and operates freely without snagging or pinching !

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

@@Moonfleet41 I rolled the rake rearward last night, and took if for a ride on the twisties. The bike swung through the turns like a crotch rocket instead of a sport touring bike. I guess the bars got torsioned AND reangled. I have a new bike now, just by taking the time to tune the bars. 🍻😋

[@konstantinosampatzidis9856]

thank you for your TECHNICAL ADVISE!

[@hharis]

Very helpful video, thanks a lot!

[@PRITAMPAKHIRA]

Will check all the things you have mentioned sir. Great Video. Thank You.

[@ashrayhebbar5885]

This was extremely insightful, thank you.

[@KNR6292]

Thank you for another helpful video, you make things so much better for those of us who do all of the work on our bikes ourselves. I don't care how experienced you are, nobody knows everything and the knowledgebase you have built for us here is a gift to the world. Thank you!

[@Moonfleet41]

Most welcome, thank you for your kind feedback.

[@varunm7011]

it is helpful .. thanks a lot !!

[@TC-en7vi]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@Moonfleet41]

Most welcome.

[@antiR3ality]

Great video, straight to the point. Thank you!

[@rod4530]

As usual - top vid. Thanks.

[@BulletproofPitbulls]

Great video boss

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate.. Great channel BTW !

[@hawthorn250505]

Thank you for this 👍🏻 got a couple things to check before I start spending money 🥰

[@jimfrancis7169]

I have found your videos very informative and never leaving out any details thank you very much for all you do

[@Moonfleet41]

You are very welcome Jim, thank you for your kind feedback!

[@anthonyscott16]

I learn something new everyday with this channel. Thanks Del.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you Anthony, it's an honour to be able to reach out to you in some way... take care and ride safe, and have a great weekend!

[@dnoypi206]

This has been very helpful. Thanks for the useful tips.

[@frozenmaks3544]

You really are a good teacher. Thanks, mate.

[@Moonfleet41]

I appreciate that, thanks mate.

[@basstradamus1]

Thanks for great and practical video!

[@michaelkessler5784]

You helped me so much, love your channel thanks!

[@Moonfleet41]

You are so welcome, thanks for the feedback.

[@rubansaran6575]

Useful info👍

[@JDnBeastlet]

Hey team DBG., excellent video. Comprehensive, easy to follow instructions, clearly explained. I'd like it twice if I could!

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks buddy, apprecaite your support, have a great weekend, D&Px

[@TheRoku7]

Nice informative vid. Cheers fella ✌

[@samreddish93]

Absolutley Brilliant video again! Keep up the good work dude👍👍

[@shannonashby8145]

Just what I needed, thanks for the video.

[@chriscs9080]

Thanks Im going to buy used handlebars and i wanted to make sure they are straight !

[@rsbharley4766]

Nice video Del, great sound advice. This will help a lot of people save some money for years to come. Penny and you have a relaxing weekend. Cheers

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate, hope you're ok there, always appreciate your kind support, have a great Sunday yourself, D&Px

[@ArchAnto]

You’re the Gordon Ramsay of the bike world

[@andysspiriteddrives]

Still recovering from my drop, and this is great learning & inspiration material sir!

[@Moonfleet41]

Sorry to hear about your drop Andrius, i hope you weren't hurt..! Glad the video can help in some small way..!

[@marnickkaerts6960]

Very helpfull video! As of all of your vids are helpfull to. I learn a lot from your tips and tricks. Also the way you explain things, it is easy to understand. Even from belgium. I'm learning 'motorcycle mechanics' at adult education. And I always look up your vids to help me 'learn' at home on my own project. So a big thanks man!

[@Moonfleet41]

Hello Marnik, Thank you for your kind feedback, im glad the videos can help you, and wish you the best of luck with your course... take care and ride safe.. Del.

[@hardy-xn1kq]

Thank you!!! Very useful video.

[@g40will]

Good video del. I used your fork alignment video a while back.

[@thefreedomguyuk]

So did I 👍

[@brucemilne8780]

Wow, perfect timing Del. I threw my bike down the road at the start of the week and apart from some other things (engine casing split and foot board assembly ripped off) it took a fair skelp on one end of the bars so I'll have to wait and see how it feels once it's running again. This video may come in handy methinks...

[@Moonfleet41]

Sorry to hear that mate, I hope you were ok and didn't hurt yourself... good luck, hoping it's all straight when you get it back together.

[@brucemilne8780]

Just bruised, but apart from that it's mainly wallet pain 😬

[@Moonfleet41]

@@brucemilne8780 Sorry to hear it mate.. hope it's all ok .

[@brucemilne8780]

@@Moonfleet41 Hi Del, Go the bike back last week and everything seems to be straight and it doesn't want to ride sideways. There was one thing that the mechanic was wondering about and that was that after the crash the right bar weight didn't fit the throttle grip properly. I had forgotten but because of one of your videos (I can't remeber now which one) I backed off the fasteners on the switch-gear/lever assemblies on the bike slightly so that if it ever went on its side they would move rather than break. This is exactly what happened and although the bike hit the ground with enough force to rip the foot board assembly clean off, the bars are still straight and all they needed was a new brake lever. Cheers mate, that saved me a good few quid there (and that's from an Aberdonian, so it's a BIG deal :D )

[@Moonfleet41]

@@brucemilne8780 Hi Bruce, so glad to hear that mate, and i bet you're glad you have it back now.. Always best not to tighten bar controls up rock solid, as you found, it allows them to shift in a drop and minimise damage... glad it worked in your case here, any saving is a bonus aye mate... Enjoy getting back on the road and ride safe mate.. Del.

[@dpryce9801]

Great vid. As you know I'm not a biker but some of this applies to push bikes too. Have a good weekend, D&P.

[@lukethemaster69]

Thanks man this was just the video I needed can't beat free knowledge thank you

[@simonfreeman6790]

My Dyna had the same problem that you replicated, I did all the same checks to find bent bars. The bars were brand new and the bike had not been dropped. Contrary to what you said about throwing them away, I did tweek them in a clamp with a pipe inside the bar end and reinstall. They have been on the bike for a year now with no perceived problems, and yes I have checked them numerous times. Im not refuting your word, just saying I took a chance that hopefully will pay off.

[@Moonfleet41]

Don't get me wrong Simon, a piece of stainless steel tube, the quality of which is used on Harley Davidson's, should be more than capable of taking a small dress back in to shape, but I have to project the 'safety line' on a video as we all make choices for ourselves and we take those risks on a personal basis, many riders are flying around on the roads with slightly distorted bars and probably don't know it... and in my lifetime I've never known a bar snap clean off, so I wouldn't overthink it buddy.

[@simonfreeman6790]

@@Moonfleet41 Sure Del, I respect your professionalism always. Great channel by the way and invaluable advise. Thanks.

[@padraicheneghan6404]

Common sense and to the point information. Beware of other videos with misinformation. Straightened my handle bars with the first tip you gave. Subscribed for more valuable information

[@Moonfleet41]

Glad it helped mate, thanks for our support and subscription!

[@jasonsanderson9385]

Always noticed drag bars slightly off, never bothered me.... Installed batwing on bike and now TOTALLY can see there's a 1.5" different clutch side about 3" to batwing and throttle side .25" before batwing hits mirror.... My left riser seems cocked to the side.... Assuming I understand your video I think the bushings are bad...... Should I replace the bushings with solid or Polyurethane?

[@haroldwiser2641]

More good information, thanks Del!

[@Moonfleet41]

Cheers Harold, have a great weekend and ride safe! D&Px

[@tonygriffiths2485]

It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that info will save lives. Nice one thanks :)

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Tony, well not to put too dramatic a spin on it.. but alignment is pretty important for many reasons.. Thanks for your support as always mate.. D&Pxx

[@randomrides]

That's great advice, I dropped my Bandit on black ice and it slid a bit it's not felt 100% right since but everything's straight(Rental bars btw) I can't wait to check this method!

[@Moonfleet41]

Good luck with it mate, hope you can locate the problem.

[@nonametom88]

thanks for saving me a millions of years to try to bend handlebar back

[@Moonfleet41]

Sure thing Tom, it's a great little test and it's accurate too!

[@josseyt]

Greate tip. I was having that bothering filling when ridding. Now will definitely check and like you said have peace of mind👍

[@mechanic3d]

The handlebar of my motorcycle was tilted. Which I have not been able to correct till date. This is a special task

[@abegaz9582]

gosh I love this channel

[@JK-tu1xx]

Checked mine after watching this video as my bike always had the ever so slightest head clock when riding that I assumed was due to the road crown even though I had dropped it once, pulled the bars off and what do you know they're less than a milimeter bent out of whack to the inside in the up bend on the left. Granted these are aluminium aftermarket renthal bars so I'm not too worried about their structural integrity as aluminium bends quite easily in comparison to steel so I presume they're probably more than fine to ride with but it's good to know if I ever get tired of their fit or look I've got an extra reason to replace them.

[@Moonfleet41]

Just a thought mate, if you take the trouble to try and find the old video that was online years ago of Duggy Lampkin riding his trials bike around the Renthal factory and offices where inbetween, they showed the manufacturing processes in clips, and one of the clips... was showing them 'tempering' the bars, they flex them almost 3" out of line and spring back, so be aware that they don't bend like regular aluminium, and if you try to bend them back it's just possible you could be weakening them, you'd certainly have to bend them a long way past where they are to make any adjustment stay put... they're cheap enough mate, just get some new ones.

[@kevinberdine]

Great video

[@mnap89]

I would like to check handlebars on my bike and I know you can easily remove almost everything but how about left grip? I think they are glued on. So even if I manage to take it off without damaging how to put attatch it afterwards?

[@NishadAbdulkhader]

Great video dell..the infobits you shared took my remorse down. After having purchased the BMW G310GS I was wondering why my handlebar is offset. The showroom guys were gropping in the darkness. Now I know what to do ..thank you so much buddy ..subscribed

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you my friend, glad it helped and welcome aboard!

[@vincentpemberton3749]

Wasn't sure how to check or do this, and I was in for an MOT, so I asked htem to do it. Bike came bike and they said they'd aligned it all - I immediately hopped on and thought, "It's the same!" So I just lived with it temporarily because I was in for a maintainence job later on. So I asked them to do it again... same story... so now I head outside to do it myself! Thank you for the knowledge! Only issue is I have no centre stand on a Triumph Boneville America (not the lightest bike) so is it okay to loosen the headstock clamps with it on the side stand, and then pick it up, straighten it, put it back down and re-tighten?

[@Moonfleet41]

Yes you can, if you place the bike on the sidestand and then loosen everything below the top pinch bolts you then can do the plunging alignment straddled across the bike, but you must do up those fasteners in sequence with the bike upright, if you allow it to go back to the sidestand you'll throw out the alignment again! Good luck with it mate, hope you get it sussed.

[@Cueballproductions1149]

Nice tip will put in my Delboy playlist had a fan turn up at my group meet last week had good chat bout you Delboy keep em coming 👍👍

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Si, glad the video could help, just a little trick to keep you safe aye?!

[@mikemarthaller8789]

Again Well done Clear and understandable

[@myaccount4400]

It's very easy to replace handlebar better be safe and save money and buy new handlebar 😉👍

[@daveeccles7957]

Simple , clear , spot on proper DBG 👍

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Dave, much appreciated mate.. Have a good weekend. D&Pxx

[@beans4491]

Fantastic video ! And the bike is looking brill Dell. Kind regards.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Beans. good to hear from you mate, and hope life is good... Soon be summer aye.

[@beans4491]

ah thanks, been up to loads bike wise, hope to start a few more vloggs this year....mmm hate the editing thing though lol. Love all the vids sir.

[@Khanarmaanrokz]

My bikes handlebar got bent , the mechanic just put it in a pipe and strengthened them out, now it feels perfect. Yes I want to replace them but the spares aren't available due to lockdown.

[@cynicalgamer6558]

Hey delboy, my bike fell over onto its left side due to a storm and now the handlbars are aimed left when the tire is straight. It had the fork lock active. What would be your guess as to which it most likely be? I'm good at riding but not so much at working on them.

[@parker9083]

What if previous owner bent bars back to shape is this something I should be concerned about?

[@kgaius8692]

Mine is a little bit off too but they are clip ons.. I have checked and loosen the front forks but it's still off...

[@sundharsirkali4400]

Good tips .thank u

[@lioney4482]

a zero bullshit video, sub earned

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you buddy, welcome aboard !

[@Mikey-xw7yo]

I got a nail in my tire of my harley and my tire had a slow leak. When i parked it the tire went flat over night and the bike fell over. I have a set of fat meat hook type ape hangers 18in bars. Now my bars are slightly tweaked. Feels like im turning to the right when going straight. Im gonna try to bend them back. They arent bent real bad but just slightly, enough to notice. I really hope i can straightened them a little

[@Moonfleet41]

Good luck with it mate.. hope you can sort it out.

[@outty77]

For sure my bars are bent on my F800.. gonna check asap!

[@hawklord122]

Good info Del. Can you please explain the best way to check clip-on handlebars?

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi mate, what Jediknight129 said is correct, take both clip ons off and strip them naked, just like you would a single handlebar, then lay them on a flat surface, side by side, and you're looking for symmetry between them... they should be a perfect, symmetrical mirror image of each other... whichever side you suspect has been bent, pick it up and cast an eye along it's length, like a gun sight, and you should be able to see any kink or bend... it can often be close to the point it goes in to the clamp with the clamp acting as a fulcrum, you may need to undo the actual bar section of the clip on and remove it from the clamp, so it's actually then a naked piece of bar, then you'll clearly be able to see any bend... good luck with it mate, hope you can get it sorted.

[@chrisvantassel8867]

I have a 2020 Harey Low Rider S and the bars are only right out of the gate. Harley will not admit it but they are way off. No drops etc.....would you suggest a most likely culprit based on what you have talked about?

[@elton71737678]

When I changed my risers on my 2019 Triumph 1200 Scrambler. My dealer says it caused an engine fault, preventing the bike from starting. Requiring a trip to the dealer to have the engine fault cleared. Your thoughts?

[@lowriderST24]

I have the problem that you're explaining. I really think its the handle bar. The guy that I bought it from told me he did drop it. Thanks

[@martincarey8620]

You sure won't see video's like this anywhere else!! Another corker Del :-)

[@Moonfleet41]

Ayup Martin, have a great weekend mate, stay in touch, Cheers, D&Px

[@highlandriders9696]

Interesting vid Del. I got an advisory on MOT from a garage for "bent bars, question result of impact". Luckily I did my own investigation and turned out just to be one of the fork clamps had loosened.

[@Moonfleet41]

Blimey mate, and you would think that you could trust an MOT tester not to make assumptions that, as you've found out, are not correct... you could have gone replacing those bars at great expense and still not cured the issue, shows how important it is to check for yourself!

[@highlandriders9696]

@@Moonfleet41 Yeah unfortunately that particular garage, which no longer gets my custom, is known for getting jobs done quickly and expensively.

[@stevenmillar6592]

Very helpful Del as per

[@gerry9359]

Great video del great knowledge passed on Cheers Del

[@Moonfleet41]

Cheers Gerry, always good to hear from you mate, hope you're having a good week and recovering well, stay in touch, keep us posted, kind regards, D&Px

[@TechnMoto]

Good info Del. If you think those bars are bad you should see some of the bars I’ve had in the past😂

[@Moonfleet41]

Yeah amazing the things we put up with aye? Good to hear from you, keep warm in the snow!

[@pauliglic]

Thanks for the video

[@harrymiles4317]

I came off my bike and it fell hard last weekend and I was sure the handlebar is bent on the side it fell. I was just going to bend it back but after watching this I’ll buy a new one and fit it

[@Moonfleet41]

Im glad you weren't hurt in the drop, great to know it was just parts and scuffs.

[@harrymiles4317]

@@Moonfleet41 I’ve got the handlebar on and controls connected. Everything works except the brake lights, the brakes and the switch work so I guess it’s the wiring. Might have to take it to a garage as I wouldn’t know where to start with electrics

[@lumazzoni]

Hi Dell, need your help to resolve an handebar issue. On the left I have shaved the small pin wich is supose to fit in a handlebar hole but now the main high bin isn't working.

[@Thetattooedredneck]

Thank you good sir.

[@indianscout1019]

Thanks Del, didn't think about the rear! Horribly missalligned - now good. Wonder if you could give me a bit of advice? I want to do similar things to you plus a bit more heavy stuff too - I have seen a good second hand stick welder for sale at a good price and am tempted. Have done a bit of research on pro's and cons etc. I would prefer a MIG I suppose but wanted to know your opinion. Have you or would you use stick over MIG anytime?

[@Moonfleet41]

Hello mate, good luck with your ventures... I've never used a stick welder, I've always deemed it more for outdoor use and on heavy things like trailers and gates, I started my welding experience straight away with a MIG welder and love it!

[@pleasetakemynamenow]

Great advise!

[@redlineluke]

i have a question what about front wheel wobble when both hands are released bars are fine tyre pressure is fine the actual tyre is new and fine as far as i can see and no buckle in the front wheel as far as i can see also wheel is balanced well and i can't feel any play in the head bearings top or bottom. What would you suggest next

[@jjjohniee]

Always know when bars are the slightest tiny bit out, many dispute it until they do all the checks, then say "you know what, rides like a dream now!" I can also tell if small parts are missing from computer packages, company I worked for always got me manhandling the deliveries off the back of the trucks, saved them thousands of pounds just by not taking them off the truck! Funny thing, after a while it stopped happening, they started "weighing them" before sending to us. LMAO