Stuck cork in handlebar?
03-16-21, 09:28 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 199
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Stuck cork in handlebar?
Ok, C&V gang, I figure you all are the folks to ask how to extract a cork from handlebar. Oh no. Ha you thought it was easy one where it was just wedged in and you simply pull it out. Oh no, this one has been pushed into the bar about 2 inches.
Any ideas or experience? Or is it just now a permanent feature of the bar? I was thinking maybe something like this as a hail mary but then I was wondering if there's some sort of plumber's tool or an awl-like thing with a hook.
Thanks for any help.
Any ideas or experience? Or is it just now a permanent feature of the bar? I was thinking maybe something like this as a hail mary but then I was wondering if there's some sort of plumber's tool or an awl-like thing with a hook.
Thanks for any help.
Last edited by roguedog; 03-16-21 at 09:29 AM. Reason: detail
03-16-21, 09:30 AM
#2
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,219
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1349 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Get a Long drill bit and drill some holes in it.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
03-16-21, 09:32 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 1,052
Bikes: Gunnar, Shogun, Concorde, F Moser, Pete Tansley, Rocky Mtn, Diamant, Krapf, Marin, Avanti, Winora, Emmelle, Ken Evans
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 273 Post(s)
Liked 416 Times
in
217 Posts
Likes For Soody:
03-16-21, 09:34 AM
#4
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,499
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3648 Post(s)
Liked 5,381 Times
in
2,732 Posts
Yep, corkscrew is the perfect tool. Imagine....
03-16-21, 09:45 AM
#5
2k miles from the midwest
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,964
Bikes: ~'75 Colin Laing, '80s Schwinn SuperSport 650b, ex-Backroads ti project...
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 525 Post(s)
Liked 931 Times
in
446 Posts
Leave it in there for vibration attunement, a la the old Bontrager Buzz-kill plugs.
When I worked in a shop, there were a few rabid devotees to those things.
When I worked in a shop, there were a few rabid devotees to those things.
Likes For Dylansbob:
Likes For jiangshi:
03-16-21, 09:57 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Pico Rivera, CA
Posts: 4,182
Bikes: 1983 Basso Gap...2013 Colnago CX-1...2015 Bianchi Intenso
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1199 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times
in
716 Posts
If the bike is built with Campagnolo, the cork must be removed with a Campagnolo wine cork
Likes For malcala622:
03-16-21, 09:58 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 6,016
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1814 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 923 Times
in
569 Posts
If it's beyond reach of a corkscrew, use a long wood or sheet metal screw, drilling a pilot hole first if needed.
03-16-21, 10:03 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 3,409
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 2011 Jamis Quest, 1980 Peugeot TH8 Tandem, 1992 Performance Parabola, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-S LTD, 197? FW Evans
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 523 Post(s)
Liked 973 Times
in
508 Posts
If you have access to an air compressor, you may be able to use air to blow it out from the other side. I have an old bar end plug with a hole in it that I'll use my blow gun to pressurize the handlebar to blow off grips off the other side. I would think the same technique would work for a cork, unless it is really jammed in there.
03-16-21, 10:07 AM
#10
Banned.
If you have access to an air compressor, you may be able to use air to blow it out from the other side. I have an old bar end plug with a hole in it that I'll use my blow gun to pressurize the handlebar to blow off grips off the other side. I would think the same technique would work for a cork, unless it is really jammed in there.
https://www.bikeforums.net/21970072-post8.html
03-16-21, 10:32 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
If you have access to an air compressor, you may be able to use air to blow it out from the other side. I have an old bar end plug with a hole in it that I'll use my blow gun to pressurize the handlebar to blow off grips off the other side. I would think the same technique would work for a cork, unless it is really jammed in there.
03-16-21, 04:28 PM
#12
Off grid off road
Can you get a long bendy stick like hazel in from the other end and push it out?
03-16-21, 07:39 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,045
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3009 Post(s)
Liked 3,785 Times
in
1,405 Posts
Likes For iab:
03-16-21, 07:46 PM
#14
Senior Member
2” inside of the bar end! Just leave it there. Who’s going to know it’s there besides you? I’d think about putting one in the other side too!!
Likes For sovende:
03-16-21, 08:23 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Big Apple
Posts: 1,428
Bikes: yes
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 512 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 409 Times
in
176 Posts
A variation on the air compressor idea could be to stick the nozzle of a water hose in the other end and let it rip.
03-16-21, 09:48 PM
#16
mycocyclist
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Monkey Junction, Wilmington, NC
Posts: 1,230
Bikes: 1964 Schwinn Paramount P-13 DeLuxe, 1964 Schwinn Sport Super Sport, 1972 Falcon San Remo, 1974 Maserati MT-1, 1974 Raleigh International, 1984 Lotus Odyssey, 198? Rossin Ghibli, 1990 LeMond Le Vanquer (sic), 1991 Specialized Allez Transition Pro, +
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 909 Post(s)
Liked 811 Times
in
448 Posts
Put A Cork In It
Fill a basin large enough to accommodate the handlebars with a strong solution of Lye, NaOH, Sodium Hydroxide.
Immerse bars, which should promptly dissolve.
Rinse off cork before using, but it should be fine!
Immerse bars, which should promptly dissolve.
Rinse off cork before using, but it should be fine!
Likes For machinist42:
03-17-21, 09:53 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,866
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1854 Post(s)
Liked 660 Times
in
503 Posts
With a long drill or awl, or a drill on as extension bar, cut or punch a bunch of holes in it. Then progressively tear it to pieces from the outside.
Worked for me on a cotter pin, using chain saw sharpening files! Should be way easier for a wine cork!
Could also attach a driver of some sort to a flexible tube like an old hand brake outer cable, and try to push from the inner side.
Worked for me on a cotter pin, using chain saw sharpening files! Should be way easier for a wine cork!
Could also attach a driver of some sort to a flexible tube like an old hand brake outer cable, and try to push from the inner side.
Last edited by Road Fan; 03-17-21 at 10:20 AM.
03-17-21, 10:59 AM
#18
Senior Member
Corkscrew first. Hopefully the cork is wedged tightly enough to get the cork screw inserted.
I know someone who permanently disfigured his face by pressurizing something that was not designed to be a pressure vessel with an air compressor. If you must attempt the pressure thing, use water as Vintage_Cyclist suggested. Domestic water pressure is around 70psi. Inside of handlebar around 20mm. You could get 35lb of force on the end of the cork.
Another thing that might work since the cork is only 2" deep- find something about 1/2" diameter with a square cut end. Glue it to the end of cork (steady...
) and pull after glue has set.
I know someone who permanently disfigured his face by pressurizing something that was not designed to be a pressure vessel with an air compressor. If you must attempt the pressure thing, use water as Vintage_Cyclist suggested. Domestic water pressure is around 70psi. Inside of handlebar around 20mm. You could get 35lb of force on the end of the cork.
Another thing that might work since the cork is only 2" deep- find something about 1/2" diameter with a square cut end. Glue it to the end of cork (steady...
) and pull after glue has set.
__________________
I.C.
I.C.
03-17-21, 11:22 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,441
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4221 Post(s)
Liked 2,942 Times
in
1,801 Posts
Likes For himespau:
03-17-21, 12:09 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Big Apple
Posts: 1,428
Bikes: yes
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 512 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 409 Times
in
176 Posts
When you do get the cork out, make sure to stick it up inside the bottom of your fork where it belongs.
03-17-21, 12:34 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 699
Bikes: 1984 Bianchi Tipo Corsa, 1985 Cannondale SM600 (24/26)
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 235 Post(s)
Liked 349 Times
in
190 Posts
Soak with lighter fluid, set on fire, clean out burnt bits.
03-17-21, 01:36 PM
#22
Off grid off road
Hey you could stuff the bar and indeed the whole frame full of corks and have an amphibious bicycle. That would be
a w e s u m
a w e s u m
03-22-21, 08:33 PM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 199
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wow. Love all the creativity.
It's not hurting anything. It's just sorta annoying me mentally that something isn't quite right. Just mildly bugs me.
Don't think corkscrew will work. It's not wedged enough. I think I'd just push it in farther. In fact I tried it but with one of those 2 pronged ones, hoping to wedge and grip it a bit and it just pushed it farther in. But if I get desperate, I may give it a go with a real corkscrew.
I may try the destroy and chop in small bits. Don't have air compresssor but that's a great idea. Maybe I can borrow one or something.
I was also thinking of getting like a dental pick to see if I can "stick it" and then pull in back out.
It's not hurting anything. It's just sorta annoying me mentally that something isn't quite right. Just mildly bugs me.
Don't think corkscrew will work. It's not wedged enough. I think I'd just push it in farther. In fact I tried it but with one of those 2 pronged ones, hoping to wedge and grip it a bit and it just pushed it farther in. But if I get desperate, I may give it a go with a real corkscrew.
I may try the destroy and chop in small bits. Don't have air compresssor but that's a great idea. Maybe I can borrow one or something.
I was also thinking of getting like a dental pick to see if I can "stick it" and then pull in back out.
03-22-21, 08:43 PM
#25
CL Addict
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Evanston, IL
Posts: 1,067
Bikes: '50s Leon Cattrysse - late 50s Raleigh Lenton Sports - 1960/61 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix - '72 Canadian Tire Company Supercycle - '74 Raleigh International - '83 Nishiki Cresta - '84 Centurion Turbo - '86 v. Herwerden (Chesini) - '87 Specialized Sirr
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times
in
59 Posts
__________________
Likes For b dub:
