Handgrip Removal

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singring

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Jul 27, 2009
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I have replacement soft rubber handgrips and Napolean barend mirrors that I want to install. Any tricks or hints on removing the old original grips without
cutting them off? I'd like to keep the stock grips handy.
Thanks
 
singring said:
Any tricks or hints on removing the old original grips without
cutting them off?
Click to expand...

Get a syringe with a large sturdy needle and push soap water underneath the grips.


Tim
 
Or WD40.

And THEN put a chopstick or piece of straightened-out wire hanger under the grip and ROLL it around the bar - works a treat! :D
 
I carefully insert a thin bladed screwdriver as far as I can into the inner open end of the grip (switchgear removed first if necessary), then I spray WD40 or similar into the opening between the grip and handlebar made by the screwdriver, and then remove the grip by twisting and pushing the grip off the bar by applying pressure to its inner end, rather than trying to pull the grip off.
 
Good point on pulling vs pushing Les.

For those who haven't experienced the difference, think of those "Chinese finger traps"....
 
I got my old ones off with compressed air. I have a nozzle with a straight end on it. I pressed it up against the small hole at the end of the grip and let her blow. The grip enlarged like a baloon and slid right off. Installed the new grips the same way.
 
i use a spray can of Carby cleaner . It is evapourative and leaves no residue. ( great also for cleaning out Beer steins / glasses to get rid of the soapy residue and no head on your beer problem ). WD 40 will ruin a new grip as it will no longer grip. Carby cleaner stays on for about 10 seconds and allows a new one to slip on easily and then grip. It will dissolve old crap on the grip your removing. If your new grip is not grippy enough use a can of brake kleen as that will attack the rubber a little bit leaving it easy to put on and tacky for a few seconds and then will grip better. Cheers hillbone
 
I had Granturisimo Brevettata grips on my bars, and I just pushed them off from the inside of the handlebars. Didn't need compressed air or WD40 or anything, they just came off. Got a new set for $20 delivered, they are still available and very soft on the hands.

Dave
69S
 
Another good tip, ensure that the grip is actually stuck in place before testing on the road, as once they are fitted they usually come off quite easy untill the soap has dried, mind you'll have bar end mirrors to stop this. Remember it's for the safety of those riding behind you as well as yours as it does cause a chuckle when this happens as one of our local members found out on a club ride out.
 
hillbone said:
i use a spray can of Carby cleaner . ...
Click to expand...

As you're obviously talking about fitting now: I use hairspray for this, it will evaporate quickly and leave a rather sticky residue. So far this has worked on all bikes with or without engine I had to replace the grips.


Tim
 
Madnorton said:
....as once they are fitted they usually come off quite easy untill the soap has dried...
Click to expand...

Never use soap to fit them, there's far better and equally cheap methods.


Tim
 
Tintin said:
hillbone said:
i use a spray can of Carby cleaner . ...
Click to expand...

As you're obviously talking about fitting now: I use hairspray for this, it will evaporate quickly and leave a rather sticky residue. So far this has worked on all bikes with or without engine I had to replace the grips.


Tim
Click to expand...

Hairspray is great. I learned that and the compressor trick while being a bicycle mechanic for many years.
 
to fit them pour some petrol in them ,roll around to put the fuel everywhere and then put them on QUIKLY only problem is to get them off , near impossible..
Those grand tourisme grips AAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH can you still feel your handle bars ? Never understood those balloons could be used as grips.
 
The grips came off just fine with a little WD40 sprayed under the pried-up rubber. New softer, thicker Tourismo grips installed with Napolean bar-end mirrors, and they look great.
Another winter bike project completed, road testing the mirrors and grips will come in the spring.
 
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