Mounting handlebar without scratching it

I just recently found an 3ttt Alan stem for my project, only the thing is when I want to mount the handlebar it leaves nasty, deep scratches in it. Luckely I tried it with a crappy handlebar first...

How do I solve this? Use a smaller handlebar size with a filling metal thing (don't know how it's called in english)?

Thanks for the answers..

it will be covered by bartape so the scratches will be hidden.

Wrap the bars in electrical tape before fitting them, then remove the tape and clean off the sticky residue?

If I don't want to use bartape...

http://www.londonfgss.com/post231115-16.html

fairy liquid - loads of it and use a screwdriver to hold the clamp open ^ beat me to it!

You can also use a thin sock/condom/cellophane - any thin protective layer that can help protect it. then smother it in fairy liquid. i got my Cinellis on fine

Htfu

Doesn't that make scratches on the stem? :) Or put some kind of sheet between it..I will try that one..thanks!

It isn't a 'project'.
It is a bike you are building from pieces.

This is a project:

If I don't want to use bartape...

ffs...

http://velosolo.co.uk/barfitting.html#d17

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/barfitting.html

Friendly bunch of people too......

to free up a spare hand from the screwdriver method above try this.

1. Remove the bolt from the bar clamp of your stem
   
2. Insert a 1p coin into the slot in the clamp ensuring it does not overlap with where the bars will go
   
3. inset the bolt from the other (threaded side) and tighten against the 1p coin gently. This should open the clamp up and keep it open for you to slide through the bars. Be careful not to open the clamp up too much or you can damage it.
   
4. Once the bars are in remove the bolt and 1p and the insert the bolt into the clamp the normal side and tighten away to your hearts content.
   
   

This method does not work for all stems as you need to be able to access both sides for the bar clamp. Those it does work for though, it has the advantage of not scratching any paintwork or even worse denting the stem as twisting screwdrivers has been known to do.

Hope it works for you

I hadn't heard of using washing up liquid or electrician's tape (which on reflection may have been better) but wrapped my bars (on one side) in masking tape, this worked fine at first but once at the bend in the bars started to tear the masking tape, luckily without marking the bars underneath. So I stripped the tape off, no screwdriver was used in the clamp as the stem is anodised black and I didn't want to mark it - even if it would have been hidden, and used copious amounts of WD40. This worked perfectly and the bars were unmarked. Plus, I got high.

I used KY Jelly and a screwdriver to get mine in without scratches.

That's not a joke by the way.

personally i just... eh never mind.