I've acquired an Electra cruiser with rusty steel handle bars. In two rust

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spots the bars are pitted and I'm wondering if filing them smooth before repainting would be ok or is there a better strategy.

For what the price of new handle bars is you could almost replace them for what painting would cost. Roger

I considered that but couldn't find a suitable replacement under $30ish. And the frame needs touch up paint, it's black too.

I’m somewhat hesitant to recommend filing, as I have no idea how much material you’d need to remove to get to a flat surface. It’d be entirely possible to remove enough to weaken the bar in an important way.
I’d probably settle for something milder. Steel brush, light sanding. The rust removing chemical of your choice.
If you want to get rid of the pitting, consider using a filler before paint.

Look at other bike sites and look for Wald handlebars. Try also Cruiser handle bars on EBAY. Roger

a chrome set would do wonders on your black beauty.https://www.ebay.com/itm/WALD-PRODUC...UAAOSwCNJfKyZ1
or https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wald-Produc...EAAOSwLdBaAwJt

Like I said in my post I looked on EBAY and there were like 1300 available. I have used the Wald ones and they work good. Roger

The Schwinn 7881 handlebars from circa 1967 thru 1977 are the best quality handlebars that you'll ever find. Their shape is similar to the Wald example seen above. Near perfect examples can be found for $20 to $22 total cost including shipping at all times on Ebay. There are at least five there at this moment. You can sometimes get lucky and find the 7881 for $16 to $20 total cost including shipping but do remember that for normal people selling on Ebay that the US Postal System 1st class postage for these handlebars is gonna be approx nine bucks....so to get it for sixteen total...somebody has to have it at seven, buy it now and nine for shipping in the lower 48 states, etc....or whatever combination makes the total cost come to that...........it is more realistic that you'll find them nearer twenty total cost. No need to pay more than twenty two total cost unless you can't wait several days for other sellers to list such an item. Millions of these Schwinn bikes were made. The 7881 bars are found on 1967-1977 Collegiates, Suburbans, Breeze, Speedster, and other similar variants with other names. The chrome quality on these 7881 handlebars is the best. ALL OF THESE 7881 handlebars ARE STAMPED AS SUCH WITH 7881-two digit year WHERE IT MOUNTS BENEATH THE STEM CLAMP. These are 25.4mm(one inch) clamp area and typical 22.2mm(7/8") bar outer diameter where brake levers and grips attach. Look for the 7881 handlebars, they are the best. Example 7881-67 indicates (1967 manufacture) ........7881-77 indicates (1977 manufacture)..... 7881-72 indicates (1972 manufacture)....YOU GET THE PICTURE, There is no physical difference between any years although some swear that the chrome quality on 1976 and 1977 does not equal earlier ones but my experiences with all of these is that I cannot determine any difference in chrome quality. Nobody else new today or yesterday made replacement bars or had original equipment handlebars that were of the same quality as the 7881 Schwinn or other 1960's to mid 1970's schwinn bars. Nobody had such durable quality chrome plating! Even an old somewhat rusted, weathered Schwinn handlebar will clean up and be much more durable and presentable than any steel chrome plated handlebar of today, or steel painted handlebar of today. Give the 7881 bars a look, chances are that you'll love the overall shape and rise, as they are in my opinion, Schwinn's most comfortable tourist/cruiser bar. There are so many out there that you'll find a near perfect one for probably next to nothing in cost. The old 7881 bars are a great upgrade for any of today's beach cruiser and 7 speed hybrid tourist cruisers!

Thanks for all the links to replacement bars. I'm hoping to find them in black, hopefully a listing will pop up some time

Do the same EBAY search but add the word black to it. Roger

Buy the chrome ones - scuff - metal primer - paint.