Fitting Oxford heated grips

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by northwind

new ones that are just clever enough to be stupid.

Hi

I have not read all the posts on this forum (as I am in a bit of a rush), so please excuse me if what I say has already been said, but I bought some Oxford Hot Grips a couple of months ago. I had every intention of fitting them myself, until a friend told me to wire them in via the ignition circuit as that way they can't accidentally be left on, or some joker (and believe me, I work with a few of them) can't come along and switch them on for you.

I had no problems raising the tank and was doing OK until I tried to find the right wire. My electrical knowledge is basic at best so I had a minor snag with that. I also, stupidly, stripped the bolt that holds on the clutch lever (which is where I was going to install the control box).

As I don't have an 'easy-out' I ended up biting the bullet and took the bike to my local dealer, who for a small fee managed to fit them via the ignition circuit and replace my broken bolt. I know it is the easy way out but having spent 2 hours taking the bike apart and then putting it back together again (minus the clutch lever bolt) I felt it was a small price to pay. Besides, I had a good chat with them while I was there and my ineptitude helps to keep them in business.

They did it in about 2 hours total and I now have toasty warm hands and no worries about the clowns I work with flattening my battery.

Hope that helps. All the best for 2008

Ride Safe

Stradders.

Originally Posted by northwind

This is why I bought the old-fashioned ones with the dial instead of the new ones that are just clever enough to be stupid.

lol - I just installed mine today, and we'll see how it goes tomorrow. Of course, I turned what should've taken 1 hr into 4... the bar-end weight on the left bar wouldn't come off, so I had to pound, drill, chisel, and grind on the damn thing. There's always one, eh?

Maybe it's too late for some, but here's how I did them (did the same on the other bike long ago, it makes wiring stuff in brainless):

Distribution block:
http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/relay.php

You can get a relay at Maplin. Just plug the + and - into the block and you're good -- on w/the rear lights, off w/the rear lights.

And if the new controller starts automatically shutting them off whenever I stop at a light, I'm not gonna be happy.