grip removal

[DeanR]

Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove original grips that are in good shape without damaging them in order to use on a different set of handlebars? I'm thinking that using any lubricant might be bad for getting them put back on securely. Thanks everybody

[btdtdan]

Insert a screwdriver blade between the grip and handlebar the blow in the space with compressed air. That and little twist will probably do it.
Dan

[don07tncav]

I pluged up the hole on one side and blew in compressed air, the grip slipped right off. Then I did the same thing on the throttle side, I had to twist and pull that one but it came off without damage.

[Czekus21]

I worked in " PATIENTLY " ,a little WD40 and a small screw driver while twisting and pulling. After there off, a little bit of windex to clean em up. Inside and out.

[DeanR]

Forgot to ask about the reinstall on GL bars. Is an adhesive required? Anything to watch out for on the throttle side, having not done this before. And everything else just bolts right back on?

[Czekus21]

I've never used adheasive on grips. I've always just made sure that the bars and inside of grips were clean. ( mabee clean inside with alcohol ) Then I've just pushed them back on. Mabee I've just been lucky. I've heard of people having to use rubber cement glue, Gasket material, Vulcanizing compound, So on and so forth.

[randy]

best adhesive for grips---

Aquanet hair spray.

spray inside grip, it'll slip right on and dries stuck tight.

[DeanR]

Randy, thanks for the Aquanet suggestion. Sounds easy enough!

[xswilly]

plug the hole on one side with your finger
blow into the hole on the end of the grip with an air compressor and it will pop right off

use wd40 to slip back on

[RS Thornton]

Randy,

Have you ever tried brands other than aquanet?

Ohh, I mean on the bike..

Seriously, thanks for the tip, now for the fun stuff. What are you guys using for grips and how are they? My 78 has one a 4 7/8" black rubber on the throttle (I think it is stock) and one shorter foam grip on the other side. Did 250 miles to warm up for an iron butt and my hands were tingly so I think I would like to upgrade. See stuff in JC whitey and on ebay, price and description vary widely though.

Thoughts or suggestions?

Other than hairspray choices or course, that would be better on the "I wish I needed hairspray but I am folically challenged" forum.

[xssiveone]

Did 250 miles to warm up for an iron butt and my hands were tingly so I think I would like to upgrade.

Don't think different grips will make that much difference, unless you can find a set of gel filled ones. Not sure if they even make such an animal.

What you can try is to weight the bar ends. Bar weights are (or maybe were?) available at most bike shops. Insert, tighten the screw to swell and lock the weights and you're done.

It doesn't eliminate the vibration, but it changes the frequency of it, hopefully into a speed range that you don't normally ride at. I put a throttle lock on mine so I can lock it and then take my hand off the throttle for a bit. And others have resorted to lead shot to weight their bars. Fill the bars almost full with caulking(you have to put a hose on the caulking tube to get to the bottom of the bars) fill the last 6-8" with lead shot, seal with more caulking. I would think it would be a good idea to tamp the shot in place tightly to avoid rattles.

[randy]

I don't know, Scott. I have the stock grips and i don't get much vibration at all, but then, I have fat hands!

Seriously, though, you might want to invest the time in a valve adjustment and a carb sync. In that order. That should smooth things out quite a bit.

Also, try not to cruise at around 4000 RPM. That's where all of the vibro gremlins lurk. Run her above 4K and she will love you back!

[RS Thornton]

Thanks, the two maintenance items are good. I did most of that run on 55 mph road in top gear, so yeah. 4000 rpm makes sense. Hit the 70 mph roads for a few miles and you are right the bike stops growling and starts purring. The good news is the planned iron butt is the in Ontario, running the 400 series highways, so will be up in the sweet spot.

If nothing else I will at least get a matching set of grips. Wish I could steal the set off my star, but they are 1" bars. There is a swap meet in the area this weekend, maybe I pick something up there. Probably nothing with macho maroon trim but you never know.

Maybe it is not so much the aging grips as it is the aging rider that is the problem!!!

[prometheus578]

R S Thornton, did this vibration suddenly appear, or is it cronic?
Had a vibration prob develop suddenly the last 200 miles of a trip. Tingled... then turned numb and got down-right painful. Read up on all the tips about the bars, etc., but turned out to be that lousey KENDA tire that was on the front. Looked fine, plenty of tread, just had too much flex to it, plus the cupping. You might want to check your tires, too.

[RS Thornton]

As I read the replies I have 2 conclusions.
1) I am a crybaby
2) I wanted some rationalization for buying an accessory

The 97 star is just plain smoother and I favored it for the longer runs last year. I decided that I wanted to do the IBA run on my vintage cruiser, so I spent some seat time in it last weekend to prep. 300 miles into a 1000 miler is not a good time to discover things, (but then changing parts just before you go is not suggested either)

After a longish ride I parked and just had some after effects. No pain, just felt like I still holding the bar after I had been off the bike for 20 minutes. i looked at the grips and they are mismatched and hard, so I figured new matching softer grips might be something worth pursuing. i think I am actually having growing pains in that it seems the bike is running great and I actually have all the PM done. So, you guys have basically convinced me that there are no issues on the bike, I am a big spoiled crybaby comparing an old pre-sport bike to a cruiser.

So.... I am going to go the swap meet and look for some 4.75" long grips for 7/8" bars, that are "cushy". And just to be a complete wanker I am going to see about mounting those Harley passenger boards in my highway peg holder on the crash bar.

Good thing I have that 79 special to occupy my freetime, or I'd be mounting forward controls and a barons beach bar.