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Is it safe to drill handlebars?

1.5K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  delineator  
#1 ·
I just got into a lively discussion with my local moto club. I mentioned that I had just bought new handlebars and I was planning to drill them so that I can run the cables through them and also so that the guide pins in the control boxes (on this CB350) would fit into the bars. a bunch of guys emphatically insisted that drilling handlebars is extremely dangerous and that it should never be done. now, I know people do it: I've seen forum posts here about it, bikebandit.com (the place that sold me the bars) has a GUIDE to drilling handlebars and the factory bars themselves are drilled!

what's the deal? is it safe to drill handlebars? what needs to be taken into consideration?
 
#2 ·
Well, if you make a 1 inch hole in a 7/8 bar, it's dangerous. But if you are duplicating the factory holes, it's not dangerous to the handlebars, anyway.

I wanted to answer your question in a more frivolous way.

It's dangerous!! Make sure you wear safety glasses and gloves. You could get hurt..

Now I feel better....
 
#3 ·
if you are a big guy and wanting to do stunts that involve standing on the handle bars then it might be a bad idea, but a couple of holes and slots for wires? no worries. i agree, the most "dangerous" part will be using the machinery to remove the metal.