Grip Removal

So, I bought some new grips and am ready to swap them out. On a newer bike this is usually pretty straight forward. For my 87, with the original grips, which have been sitting in a hot/cold garage for 19 years I'm thinking it might be a bit of a challenge. Any tips on removing the old grips? Is the throttle grip originally built as one unit with the tube (this is the case on my dual sport bike)?

 

fresh razor blade, carefully slice through length wise. then simply peel the old grip off. use isopropyl on inside of new grips when installing

 

wD-40 work well too. Then clean with mineral spirits or alcohol

 

Here's a tip. Go to Drugstore and get some isopropyl alcohol. While there grab one of those small plastic syringe for administering liquid prescription to your child. (If you are a parent, you will have plenty of these..) Fill syringe with rubbing alcohol and force it between grip and handlebar and squirt while twisting. Grips come off in 2 seconds and are good to be reused. Have fun on your VFR.
Laker

 

Do you have access to compressed air. A blast from a compressor under the edge of the grip and it almost falls off. Same with putting on new grips. Blast some air between the grip and the bar and the grip will slide over the cushion of air. A trick I learned from SLOVFR.

 

Thats a good one too, Randy. Also to put them back on you can use a shot of hairspray. Works great.
Laker

 

Thanks Laker. I was just amazed at how well that worked when SLOVFR showed me this trick. The great part of this is, you are not adding anything that may or may not bean issue later.

Its quite amazing the little tricks you learn that make biking life easier on this forum.

 

Hey Randy, its so true. How many times you have learned the hard way in the garage. Pounding your head against the wall over and over with many "F" words. Then you find the sneaky trick and BA-BAMM! Problem solved. HaHa. Thank goodness for the internet.
Laker

 

Gently cut off with knife or razor. I used brake cleaner as a lube to slide them on. The corrosiveness of the cleaner melts it a little and melts it into the plastic. I've never had them slip on any bike I've owned.

 

Thanks everyone. I always use the air trick with my dual sport, was just concerned about age. Cutting them off if necessary and able to use air for install...+++

 

The trick I used to get the grip on and secured, was hairspray. While still wet, it allows the grip to slide right on and when it dries acts like an adhesive. I would just grab my sister's Aquanet and spray inside the grip and on the handle bar and push the grip on. A lot of the new grips also have a safety wire groove, I add a wire at both ends and I never have a problem with the grips slipping or moving.

 

I used to do the hairspray trick as well. I may go that route again. Interesting that the grips you picture are the same ones I bought in blue.

 

I have these same grips on all of my bikes. I like the feel and that they have the safety wire groove. I guess I could have taken a less blurry pic though!

 

Anybody try Harley Hairspray? Saw some in one of their botiques once. Biggest Rattle can I ever saw. About a half gallon.. There was even a handle for it but that was extra.

 

Easier than I thought. Compressed air for removal. Air only on the left with a little hairspray on the weight to let is spin. A little hairspray on the throttle tube and it slid right on. Whew!!