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Looking for help with handle bars - aluminum versus steel?

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eddypeck
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PostPosted: 12:26 - 21 Sep 2017    Post subject: Looking for help with handle bars - aluminum versus steel? Reply with quote

Hi, I've just picked up a GS1000G. It was originally a US bike and they came with more upright bars.

https://eddypeck.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/2017-09-18-10-24-15.jpg

I'm looking to put lower, flatter, straighter bars on it and think I've got my head around the ideal dimensions but it leaves me asking the question what are the pros and cons of Ally or Steel and which should I be going for.

If it makes a difference I just want plain black, not chrome so don't need to worry about the OEM look.
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grr666
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PostPosted: 12:38 - 21 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 13:39 - 21 Sep 2017    Post subject: Re: Looking for help with handle bars - aluminum versus stee Reply with quote

eddypeck wrote:
Ally or Steel

Surely time for a reboot.

Does it matter? You're not going to be offroading it, right? Have you ever pushed on your bars hard enough to bend a 22mm copper tube, let alone aluminium or alloy?
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eddypeck
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PostPosted: 14:17 - 21 Sep 2017    Post subject: Re: Looking for help with handle bars - aluminum versus stee Reply with quote

Rogerborg wrote:
Does it matter?


That's what I'm trying to find out. lol. but I'm guessing the answer is not really.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 15:24 - 21 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, given the model of bike, I strongly suspect you're not going to notice the weight saving you'd get from alloy.
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MCN
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PostPosted: 17:26 - 21 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I read a thing about alloy bars breaking due to fatigue. Vibration cycles because of where the bars are fitted.
The at May have been for Shite bars that hadnanvery thin section so there was no hope they'd last.

Only reasons no can think of for choosing aluminimiuminm is an weight saving and possible few pound cheaper than steel (which is an alloy believe it or not).
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eddypeck
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PostPosted: 17:33 - 21 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

MCN wrote:
I read a thing about alloy bars breaking due to fatigue. Vibration cycles because of where the bars are fitted.
The at May have been for Shite bars that hadnanvery thin section so there was no hope they'd last.

Only reasons no can think of for choosing aluminimiuminm is an weight saving and possible few pound cheaper than steel (which is an alloy believe it or not).


As mentioned above a few grams of weight saving isn't going to make much difference on this tank, and the steel bars seem to be cheaper than aluminum ones, so think I'll just stick with steel and leave myself a few extra quid for some nicer grips.

Thanks for the comments.
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yen_powell
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PostPosted: 18:50 - 21 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

When I fitted Renthal bars to my old Africa Twin I found I no longer needed the bar end weights, the thicker walled aluminium seemed to kill the vibrations on their own. I ended up with my arms further apart (which was more comfortable for me) but the handlebars not making the bike any wider due to the loss of the end weights.
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 09:20 - 22 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cool bike! Thumbs Up
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Tdibs
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PostPosted: 15:22 - 23 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I put renthal flats on my divvy for a while, enjoyed the more aggressive position but the light ally just intensified the vibrations through the bars, bars ends only did so much. Stock heavy steel ones helped dampen out the vibrations a lot. So if its a very vibey machine you might notice it a lot more.
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almostthere
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PostPosted: 19:06 - 23 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

alloy all day long less front end weight = more wheelies Laughing
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techathy
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PostPosted: 19:30 - 23 Sep 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd go with steel for two reasons -
1. steel bars will tend to damp more vibration than alloy
2. alloy bars tend to have a sudden failure mode if they become cracked where as steel will tend to fail more slowly

Neither of these points are absolutes.
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