New Bar Grip Installation Tips Please

[squirrel_hunter]

Not strictly SV650 related but the principle question can relate to the SV or any other motorcycle, and there is more chance that one of our resident technical gurus might spot this...

I'm putting a new grip on the left bar of the TZR and its very difficult to get it on. Its a new OEM grip on a new OEM bar. I know that it needs to be tight to stop it moving, but this is far harder to get on then others I've replaced before.

I was considering a little WD40 to help the rubber slip over, but wonder if I will then have a insecure grip. So what's the tricks and tips you all have to get new grips on?

[Jayneflakes]

I use an old bicycle spoke and lots of hair spray, the spoke lets you wiggle the grip around if you need to, but the hair spray acts as a lubricant and then dries as a glue. I have used this method on all sorts of bikes, from MTBs, BMXs and now motorbikes and it still works.

Don't bother buying expensive hair spray, the cheapest nastiest chemical gunk works the best.

If you used see through grips ( a craze that was popular on MTBs many moons ago), it was common to swap the hair spray for spray paint. I have not tried this method and would not want spray paint dripping anywhere near my recently finished project anyway.

Good luck and am looking forwards to seeing you in a week and a bit.

[Bibio]

contact adhesive on bar and let it dry. place grip on end of bar and 'clap' it on using the palm of your hand on the end of the grip. if it wont go on with 'clapping' it then get the compressor out and use the air duster gun making a good seal with your hand on the end of the grip. the air has to go somewhere and that somewhere is out the sides of the grip so creates a cushion of air to let you slide the grip on. this is unless your bars are open at both ends then you will need to plug the opposite end.

do not twist it on using contact adhesive.

[shiftin_gear98]

As above in both cases.
Or a quick blast of disc brake cleaner aerosol.
Not to much, just enough wet the inside let excess run out. It will soften (eat rubber) and will slide right on, drying really quickly, giving a good clean grip.


Used loads of times in the bike shop as always to hand.
How all my own grips have been put on for past 9 years.

Washing up liquid is also a go.
Gets a bit bubbly the first time it rains, but after that everything should be fine.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Jayneflakes

I use an old bicycle spoke and lots of hair spray, the spoke lets you wiggle the grip around if you need to, but the hair spray acts as a lubricant and then dries as a glue. I have used this method on all sorts of bikes, from MTBs, BMXs and now motorbikes and it still works.

Don't bother buying expensive hair spray, the cheapest nastiest chemical gunk works the best.
Good luck and am looking forwards to seeing you in a week and a bit.

Another vote for hairspay.

Now I know your barnet is cut pretty short, so you won't have a can lying about

[Red Herring]

I use the stuff I have for lubing tyres when putting them on and off rims. It dries to a powder and doesn't harm the rubber. Ask your local tyre dealer nicely and he'll pop a little bit in a pot for you.

I do like the idea of that compressor trick though, might have to try that next time!

I personally use hair spray to put my grips on, I certainly wouldn't use any lubricant like washing up liquid or wd40.

A guy I used to know years ago that rebuilds lambrettas, used to use spray paint to do his grips, once it dried it was sticky as anything.

Hairspray worked extemely well for me once, and not very well another time. Contact adhesive on heated grips tends to slip when the grip is being warmed. Brake cleaner is probably me 2nd choice if hairspray didnt work

Lighter fluid. Lubricates and then evaporates. Use sparingly and don't smoke!