What would be the best way to make the bends on say a haro type plate? I have the plastic sheet already.

I think steam would do the trick without burning the plastic. worth a shot anyway.
A gentle heat from a stove maybe?

I would try laying the plastic down on your bars and use a hair dryer. Start somewhat far away, and gradually go closer to the plate. Wear a pair of gloves, and use your hand to form the plate around the bars. Now...if that works, make one for me.

...oh, what kind of plastic is it and where can I get some?

I think it was said on here sometime ago that B Haro used an oven. Either he heated the bars up and bent the plate to them, or heated the plastic up and bent it to the bars............

I read that Bob did them that way too at first.

Vacuume forming is the ticket in the real world.

Shop Vac, Peg board topped box, heat gun, ...gets more serious from there.

If you already have the outside shape, just use a heat gun (Hair dryer is not hot enough), and heat it til she forms......

Thermo-forming plastic, you pick.....probably wouldnt choose PVC or Lexan.

PVC is the stuff you would find used for making a v-formed garbage can lid, or a blow molded gas can. Nothing sticks to it very well, including number plate decals.

Lexan is too brittle and hard, and sharp when it breaks.

I have a Haro Series 1-B that was used as a display in a shop, and the "ears" are totally flattened. Do you think I can heat it up and reshape it without damaging the graphics?

I would heat it mostly from the backside. The decal will have to be softened with heat enough to slide, and allow the plastic to bend underneath it.

I would not be affraid to try it. I would work slow, and not use more heat than needed.

This is "I would" advice, not "I have done" advice with the decal involved.

I've made a few plates - I heated the "ears" for the bars w/ a heat gun and zip tied them in place to cool. Mine were made from wrecked Rubbermaid clear plastic storage bins.