2002 Roadhawk handle bars

[starrider1946]

Was wondering if there is any way of widening the handle bars on my Roadhawk. They are not really wide enough. Feel like my hands are too close together. Guess I am used to my motorcycle. I don't think they sell any aftermarket bars for it the way they are made but I would like them to be wider to feel like I have more control especially at higher speeds. I had thought about bending them a little but don't know if that would be a good idea or not. I had a motorcycle one time that one handle bar was bent and the other wasn't but I never bent the other one. Would bending them weaken then? I don't think it would but I don't know. Anybody know or have any suggestions on how to widen them. Thanks

 

[vwbug72501]

How much wider do you need? Is the current angle of the handgrips OK? My first thought would be to look at extending the ends of the bars by machining a slug to fit inside the tube at the weld area and adding a straight section from another set of handlebars. You can probably keep the ground down weld area hidden under the handgrips. This would add about 3 inches on either side. No re-chroming that way. I'm afraid that if you bent the bars you might crack the chrome. Also consider that if you extend them too much, you might have to add a brace where they turn out to the handgrips because you have more leverage and they might get a little too springy.

 

[stinger608]

I think like VW stated; have a couple of slugs machined and extend the ends out how ever far your comfortable with.

 

[starrider1946]

I would at least have each bar moved 2 to 3 inches out. At least 2. The angle of the grip is ok. I already have a brace between the bars I made to help keep them from shaking. Roadhawk should have put 1" bars instead of 7/8. That would have helped that problem.
The slugs sound good but I would get into a wiring problem on the left handle bar because the wire is run through the bars. I would have to extend them plus I would have to remove the grip which I don't want to ruin. I think I might could bend the bars a little without ruining the chrome but I would just have to try it and see. I'll dwell on it but thanks for the suggestions.

I think like VW stated; have a couple of slugs machined and extend the ends out how ever far your comfortable with.

 

[stinger608]

If you could come up with a tube bender that handles 7/8 you might be able to bend them out a bit. Trouble is, once you bend the bars it will change the grip angle. You might have to bend them back some to compensate.

Maybe go to a local welding and fab shop and see what they think they could do. Should be able to bend them without removing the bars or wiring I would think.