How do you tell the difference between the early Redline forklifter Freestyle bars and the later ones and could you give me the years approx?Pics? Thanks!!!

I'm only aware of one true "freestyle forklifter" design and they are pretty obvious to identify. Do you have a picture of the bars in question?

+1 there are no early vs. late freestyle version Forklifter bars, all the same.

Race versions from different years there are differences in height and with or without tabs.
Also, there is more difference between a race version bar and freestyle version besides the dropped crossbar; not well known but the race bars also have a flatter bend.

There is a version of the Forklifter bars that has the newer style RL logo on the bottom ends. The piece that attaches to the stem is also a bit longer then the older version. In fact there is a set of these newer Forklifter bars on E-Bay right now. I'm not sure what year these are, may be 89 or early 90's.

Here are 2 pictures from that auction including the picture of the newer RL logo.

there were some subtle differences in the switch from japan to taiwan, but i'd need a set of taiwans in-hand to compare what they were, again.

Why are the FS forklifters so rare? I would have thought they made them by the bahzillions.

I think the differences was the backsweep and upsweep between early and late/ Japan and Taiwan, stamp/logo.

They're rare because everyone wants them and those that have them usually intend to keep them forever. Even though there may be bazillions produced, very few come up for sale, and when they do, about fifty of us guys circle the auction like vultures...

Here is a picture of both the Japan 85 and Taiwan 86 bars. The bend in the U bars is slightly different and the welded area is shorter on the 86 bars. The RL stampings on the bottom ends are the same.

Thats funny you say that! lol! I kept mine since 1986. I remember wanting those bars because I liked the way they looked. Now they finally have home on my Bully.

I knew there were some differences in the lenght of the clamping bars and the stamps on the ends but I didn't the difference between the Japan ones and the Tiawan ones. What year did they change to the later stamp like one the pair on ebay? I just picked up a set
and they are the early Japan ones! I'm stoked!!

Crowe-T...don't you think you should send me a set....my bike would really appreciate it...hahaha

I know the 'what's it worth' questions are not liked, but what the heck...what is a decent price for a set of these, early or late, always wanted them, but couldn't dig up the $$$ 20+ year ago. How hard are the hazzard yellow one's to find?

Yeah they are on the way!!! haha

Used sets sell for around $150 and NOS sets sell from $200 - $300 and more.

The original Hazard Yellow set in the picture belongs to a friend. They are near impossible to find.

Near impossible to find....bummer. Why didn't i just beg the parents when they were in stock at the bike store! Thanks for the price info.

I wish I could go back in time and pick some of these parts and bikes up.