The handlebars of the motorcycle are the metal part that controls the steering column of the two-wheeled vehicle. The gear and brake handles are located at each end of the handlebars. While it is obvious that it is an essential element for driving the machine and handling the road, it also plays a role in the driver's sensations and performance. Improper or poorly adjusted handlebars further increase the risk of discomfort or premature fatigue. And this is even more true when the handlebars of the motorcycle lock up. Therefore, is your machine in this situation? Would you like to know how to prevent the handlebars of your motorcycle from jamming? Answers in the following lines ...
The different types of motorcycle handlebars
Just as there are different types of motorcycle depending on the practice, the same goes for handlebars. Here are the main types:
- Custom motorcycle handlebars
They have the particularity of being raised so that the rider can put his hands in a high way while being comfortably installed back on his chair.
- Roaster type motorcycle handlebars
They can be different from each other. It all depends, in reality, on the ergonomics of the frame and the driver's choice of position.
- Flat motorcycle handlebars
They are the most present on the market. They have the specificity of having little bending. You find them mainly on sports machines where the rider is leaning forward.
- Moto cross handlebars
They are very atypical. Robust and reinforced, they are designed to withstand the numerous vibrations and shocks that the steering control will undergo due to the indelicacy of the terrain.
A motorcycle handlebar that hangs: how to avoid it?
To avoid falling victim to such a situation as much as possible, you must select the components of choice for your handlebars. Particular attention should then be paid to the following parameters:
A motorcycle handlebar that gets stuck due to the material of the handlebars
The handlebars can be made from different materials depending on the practice of the rider, the care he brings to his machine but also his budget.
So, above all, they can be made of steel. This material is the most common, the least expensive and above all very resistant. However, it is heavier than the others. It corresponds to the material of the original handlebars, therefore to their shape and dimensions. It is solid and twists, but hardly breaks in the event of a fall.
The handlebars can also be made of aluminum. A material that is renowned for its lightness and for its very varied shapes. However, handlebars made from aluminum can break if dropped. On the other hand, aluminum has the advantage of re-cutting more easily than steel.
Finally, the handlebars can also be made of carbon. They are more expensive but also more fragile. However, the feeling of comfort they give you is unmatched.
A motorcycle handlebar that hangs because of the shape of the handlebars
There are many shapes and sizes of handlebars. Still called a hanger, it generally has two elbows giving it its shape. The first elbow conditions the position of the arms while the second elbow places the hands. A handlebar greatly influences the riding position and the ease of handling. So, it is important not to choose a handlebars lightly: a mistake of choice and it is difficult to handle the machine well which is most often the cause of the handlebars blocking.
Motorcycle handlebars jam: causes and solutions
Its blockage can be due to the axis of the bent fork which modifies the good functioning of the machine or to an aging oil fork, a bad level of oil in this one. If it hasn't been drained for a very long time, it might be a good idea to check if that's where the problem is. And, a bent fork is a weakened item. We must therefore think about replacing it.
This phenomenon can also be caused by poorly tightened or too tight or poorly mounted bearings which ensure regular movement. These bearings tend to wear and deteriorate with the test of time and impact. Already, they make it possible to limit mechanical efforts by reducing friction (favoring freewheeling).
It is also possible that the rear shock absorber of the machine is a little out of breath or badly adjusted. What can parasitic reactions in the handlebars.
The final word
The motorcycle handlebars are an essential part of the frame. It perfectly calibrates the driver's handling, his feelings and his position. However, the handlebars can experience locking problems which are often related to a fall of the motorcycle. In most cases, after a while, the handlebars return to normal. Still, the safest is to locate the source of the problem or bring the machine as quickly as possible to the mechanic.
