A lightweight guide bar (16) formed from a heavy material, e.g., steel, and having a center section, e.g., a cavity of reduced material (30) and fitted with a lighter weight insert, e.g., aluminum plate (36). The center section includes a flange to which the aluminum plate is adhered and a spacer lip (34) defines the desired thickness of the adhesive. Adhesive is applied to the desired thickness under the lip and the aluminum plate is abutted against the lip and into contact with the adhesive for adhering of the plate to the flange. In a preferred embodiment, the flange is a continuous web (32) down the center of the center section and insert plates are adhered to each side of the web. Also, preferably the inserts are oval and symmetrical and are selectively mechanically secured to the flanges by rivets (44).