Anyone know how to change grips???

[Instructor50]

I bought some new one inch handlebars.

Before I go pulling stuff off of the bike does anyone know how to swap everything over to the new handlebars?

I was going to just start pulling and swapping stuff but I don't want to risk dorking something up on the bike and have to buy new grips.  Eventually I do want some new grips but for now I'll stick with stock.

So the questions are:

How do I do the switching over of grips to new handlebars?

And when buying new grips down the road how do I go about purchasing them...Is there an inner depth to look at or anything significant?

Any help is appreciated.

Brandon
Instructor50
USAF

[Jerry G Turner]

The grip with the throttle will come off with the throttle plastic housing that attactes to you throttle cables. The grip on the other side will have to be worked off by sliding something under it or twisting it off they are usually put on with some glue under them to make sure they don't slide but you can work them off. When you buy new grips just go with the handlebar size.

[ThomasMagna]

My riding buddy and I switched out his bars on Triumph. Neither of us are particularly mechanically minded. It took up an hour or so. To get the grips off, we used compressed air. Lifted an edge on one and then jetted air under it. It worked very well for us. I  can't tell you if his had been glued on or not. He did glue the new grips on which helps get them back on. Sort of acted as a lubricant befor it set.

[Instructor50]

Sweet!

You guys make it sound pretty easy.  I'm a Jet Engine mechanic but Motorcycle Handlebars are a conundrum...Go Figure!

I'll give it a shot and buy the grips I was looking at.

Thanks again T. Magna and J. Turner, I do appreciate the help on this topic.

Brandon
Instructor50

[archiefl98]

I just swapped my grips on my stock bars.  The stock left grip came off nice by unscrewing the end cap, then taking a can of PB Blaster to it.  I used the spray tube, shoved it in between the rubber and the bar at about 4 different points and the grip practically jumped off of the handlebars.  

For the right grip I had to remove the throttle cable from the engine in order to get enough slack.  Actually, I just had to remove the plate that holds it in place.  The cable could have stayed attached to the engine and it would have allowed for more than enough slack.

Large Pic

[Instructor50]

Thanks for the input Archie.  I hear that air is the common way of changing these things out.  I'll give it a shot.

[John Luttrell]

Brandon, I just realized you are in the USAF; where are you stationed?  I just retired last year with 24 years in aircraft maintenance.

[gary_hackathorn]

I just replaced the grips on my '84 V65 Magana.  I bought a set of 7/8 grips to replace the old ones.  I took the old grips off with a srew driver.   Just pry and work them loose.  If they are really stuck on you may have to cut them off.  Be careful of the throttle as it is made of plastic.

I used a petroleum product to put the new grips on.  Just squirt a little lighter fluid or something like it into the grip.  Then slide them on.  The fluid acts like a lube and evaparates out and leaves rubber on steel.  This is very similar to the process for putting grips on golf clubs except I left out the double sided tape.