Throttle grip removal

[prpldude]

I am thinking about putting on a different pair of handlebars, less of the ape hanger style. I was wondering if there is a trick to taking off the Grips. The PO put on aftermarket "foam" grips. Any advice, tips, or tricks would be much appreciated. Here are pics of what are on the bike now




Thanks,
Marc

[suzu650]

This may help:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=155787

[madbikebreaker]

Sharp razor knife usually works, but that throttle side don't look good. Maybe just easier to grab another tube and put some normal grips on it. Hairspray seems to work with normal rubber foam grips to hold them on, but I bet that throttle side has some epoxy of something to make the plastic stick to plastic. Ick!

[gs road racer]

wow normal grips just use compressed air with a nozzle.... those look glued cut them off if you can... good luck!!

[prpldude]

That is kind of what I was afraid of. That they might be glued. I'll find some new grips and throttle tube before I start this project.

Thanks guys.

[madbikebreaker]

If you are real careful you might be able to score them with a small hacksaw or one of those funny cuts anything handsaws that came from the TV. If I can find mine I'll send you a pic.

[LarryA_Texas]

Take a close look. If my guess is right that chrome thing at the end is just plastic. I think there's an oversize-type pin inside it and only fits into a hole. ie: you can just pull it off. A long thin screwdriver will then break the foam off the throttle tube if it's stuck. I'm pretty sure you'll destroy the old grips in the process but they'll come of pretty easy.

[rudy]

I have a set just like that on my XS650. Shouldn't they just slide off? Mine are a plastic tube with bits of rubber along the inside of the length of the tube to provide some grip. I didn't glue mine on, and they don't need glue. They should just slide off with a little force. Have you tried anything yet?

[prpldude]

I havn't really tried. I kind of pulled on the left hand side grip to see if it would just pull off real easy. the chrome piece (where your thumb would rest against) started to pull back with the foam, but the grip did not seem to be moving. So I thought I would check in here before I wrecked them.
when I get home from work I'll try and twist/pull the left one off to see if the PO glued them on. The throttle side does not seem to be on all the way after further inspection. I can push down on the end of the grip and tell it has about an inch of "play" before it hits the handle bars.

[prpldude]

Ok, tried to twist/pull/yank the grips off.. I was pulling the bike off of the center stand I was pulling so hard. I might just leave these ones on these handle bars since I will have to order a new pair of grips for the other handle bars.

can you buy the throttle tube separately from the grips?

Thanks again for all your help and suggestions,
Marc

[fenderfreek]

I had the exact same grips on mine when I got it. Got some new Pro-Grip gel's and they are a million times better.

If they're done correctly, they should just pull off with a little elbow grease. If you're really worried about hurting it, just cut them off with an X-acto/hobby knife. I seem to remember those using an adapter sleeve or something inside, so they may have been glued if the PO was a moron.

Good luck!

[Ponderosa]

Dremel

I had to modify the throttle tube to make mine fit right, but never need glue in the assembly. Just take a cutting blade in your dremel and make a cut down the length, should be able to just peel them away from the throttle tube. Finding something decent to fit your old plastic throttle tube may be fun though...

[wacky941]

For the left side, use a pair of channel-lock pliers the bars will be protected by the grip itself. The right side, first you need to find a local motorcycle accessory shop and see if they have the throttle tube you need, remove it and take it with you to the shop to make sure you get the one you need, they run anywhere from $9.99 up, don't buy it yet, go back to your house and pick up your channel-locks again and either crush the hard plastic chrome pieces until they crack then break them away or try to nip away the pieces with the pliers as for the foam use a razor blade. If you're worried about not finding another tube just go to denniskirk.com http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/search...=subCategories or just go to any online OEM seller and look up your bike and order accordingly.

If the tube gets damaged then go back to the accessory shop and buy your new tube, this time when you install the new grips USE HAIRSPRAY it holds great and does not come loose, when removing the grips after using hairspray just get a good firm grip and twist like your trying to twist the top off a beer bottle, I've never had one come loose on me using hairspray, I've been doing it this way for thirty three years.

Don't be afraid to get rough with these grips the bars will survive, treat them like they owe you money!

[prpldude]

thanks again for the advice. I appreciate it.

[sparki]

just cut it off... then scrape off whatever is left over if glued on. simples