Remove Old Handlebar Grips?

hudson29 · Sep 26, 2011

I'm contemplating changing out my existing handlebars & grips to see if I might like a new style better than what I have now and would like to non-destructively remove the old grips. I may want to change back if I do not care for the new ones. Does anyone have any quick & easy tricks for doing this?

Vintage Paul

Rohan · Sep 26, 2011

If you are fitting new handlebars with new grips, if you also fit a new twistgrip you can put the whole old set to one side, intact. ?

Since they are often glued on to get them to stay put, removing grips usually involves destroying them to get them off, but a heat gun may softem em enough that they can be rolled or twisted off. Good luck....

Tim_S · Sep 26, 2011

Try a slim tool between the bar and grip to break the seal and rotate it around loosening the grip. Then try pulling it off? Usually not too hard to remove especially if the glue is old or even if glue was used at all.

Tim_S

batrider · Sep 26, 2011

Do as Tim says then squirt some gasoline (works faster) or WD-40 in the opening. It will come right off. Won't hurt grips unless maybe you have the leopard ones.

bwolfie · Sep 26, 2011

If they are not glued, use an air blower on a compressor. It works great. Take a flat screwdriver to the middle end of the grip and pry it up a little, then shoot a constant jet of air in there nad twist and pull.

gtsun · Sep 26, 2011

Hair spray will loosen them up and then dry to form a glue to keep them in place. Just pry the end open a little & spray some in, twist & pull.

cjandme · Sep 26, 2011

If you use a thin tool such as a scribe and work it all the way in then put some soapy water in there, it should do it. Cj

hudson29 · Sep 27, 2011

I have forgotten how I installed the grips but they are nice Gran Turisimos from Italy and I may want to go back to them later so these suggestions are welcomed. One of my motorbike cronies offered another idea. He recommended Ronsenol, the old lighter fluid. I still have a can of that somewhere that has been sitting for more than 20 years.

Vintage Paul

Stephen Hill · Sep 27, 2011

Removal:
Slide a long tapered object under the grip. An scratch awl works well. A small phillips screwdriver would also do. Take a can of WD40, with the straw attached, and slide it alongside whatever you slid under the grip. Spray WD40 under the grip. Wiggle the grip. If need be, repeat on the other side of the same grip. The grip will pull off easily.

Install:
Wipe off the bar. Apply rubbing acohol to the bar, and run some around inside the grip with your finger. Push the grip on the bar. The alcohol evaporates within minutes and the grip is firmly attached.

Works real well. No drama. No damage. The grip you removed can be reinstalled if you change your mind.

Stephen Hill
Victoria, BC

Bernhard · Sep 28, 2011

hudson29 said:
I'm contemplating changing out my existing handlebars & grips to see if I might like a new style better than what I have now and would like to non-destructively remove the old grips. I may want to change back if I do not care for the new ones. Does anyone have any quick & easy tricks for doing this?

Vintage Paul

Most grips are stuck on at the factory with a waterproof glue.
Whether waterproof or any type of glue try this, tip handlebars into a jug full of boiling hot water then remove, lazy mans way is to pour hot water on the grips, it usually works for me.

britbikemike · Sep 28, 2011

Take a flat head screw driver and gently lift up the side towards the tank. Squirt some hair spray into it and start twisting it around. The grip will loosen and come off. Then you can use the hairspray to glue the grip back on later. I used this for both mountain bikes and motorcycles for years. White Rain was my personal preference.

rvich · Sep 28, 2011

It is probably just me, but I would take the throttle assembly off the handlebar and carefully work that plastic sleeve out of the grip. Seems I remember it having a split so that it might be peeled away from the inside of the grip. It is one of those parts that you don't think about much, but from what I have seen they are a bit spendy. I would treat it as such unless somebody knows where to buy them for less than the 90 bucks that Old Britts wants for it.

Russ

Carbonfibre · Sep 28, 2011

Grips can be removed pretty easily in most cases. Get an aerosol can of brake cleaner, insert an old Phillips screwdriver (without sharp pointed end), between the grip and the bars, and then squirt in the brake cleaner. Brake cleaner needs to get between as much of the area between grip and bars as possible, and when you have got to this stage, 9 times out of 10 the grip can be easily removed by simply twisting off.

Grips which fit tightly to the bars can be installed using brake cleaner, which will evaporate over night, and leave the grip nicely fitted to the bars. Those which arent that tight, or thinner ones, can be installed using grip glue, which should be available from anywhere which sells parts for MX bikes.

travelerjerry · Sep 28, 2011

Bernhard said:
hudson29 said:

I'm contemplating changing out my existing handlebars & grips to see if I might like a new style better than what I have now and would like to non-destructively remove the old grips. I may want to change back if I do not care for the new ones. Does anyone have any quick & easy tricks for doing this?

Vintage Paul

Click to expand...

Most grips are stuck on at the factory with a waterproof glue.
Whether waterproof or any type of glue try this, tip handlebars into a jug full of boiling hot water then remove, lazy mans way is to pour hot water on the grips, it usually works for me.

I would do the same. Soak the grip in hot water.

tpeever · Sep 29, 2011

Pull them to one side and spray some silicone lube between grip and bar. Should twist right off.

hudson29 · Sep 29, 2011

What a lot of great suggestions! I do not recall using any glue when installing the grips and have high hopes that they will come off without harm. This information will be worth preserving as I will forget the details after a year or so.

Vintage Paul

gory · Sep 29, 2011

travelerjerry said:
Bernhard said:

hudson29 said:

I'm contemplating changing out my existing handlebars & grips to see if I might like a new style better than what I have now and would like to non-destructively remove the old grips. I may want to change back if I do not care for the new ones. Does anyone have any quick & easy tricks for doing this?

Vintage Paul

Click to expand...

Most grips are stuck on at the factory with a waterproof glue.
Whether waterproof or any type of glue try this, tip handlebars into a jug full of boiling hot water then remove, lazy mans way is to pour hot water on the grips, it usually works for me.

Click to expand...

I would do the same. Soak the grip in hot water.

hot water always worked for me too

Remove Old Handlebar Grips?

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