Throttle tube and grips replacement

[Guest]

Hello,

I have a 1980 suzuki gs1000gl and it has these foam style grips on them (I got the picture of Ebay since mine are still on the bike). I recently purchased new rubber grips and I was wondering if there was any way that I could separate the old grip from the throttle tube to reuse it? If not where do you all get your new throttle tubes from? I am having a hard time finding one that the internet says will fit. Is putting a new throttle tube on the bike a hassle? Thank you for your time.

[zahnzabar]

Here is a picture of the grips.

[Rob S.]

Can't pretend to answer your questions, but I can offer up some memories.

In the '70's and '80's, black foam grips were the style. You'd see a big four cylinder, with lowered handlebars and rear sets, it always had black Grab Ons.

When I bought them for my Kaw 900, I'm sure I just hacked the old originals off with a knife. I then found that it was not so easy putting the new ones on. A neighbor suggested lube, I think I might have resorted to that. No way they were going on without it.

Fast forward 30-odd years, I had my mechanic install black Grab Ons on my Suzi a few years ago. I don't recall his having to replace the throttle tube (I would have seen it on the bill).

But I can only assume it was tighter and harder to do than my Kaw, because these grips have not lasted long. The right one is nearly split in two, and it has never spent a night outside.

Still, I'm going to replace them with identical black Grab Ons when I re-road her this spring. The grips, cheap and inconsequential as they are, are one of the most important parts of the bike. Think about it: the pegs, shifter and brakes, you're wearing shoes or boots. The seat, you feel through your jeans.

The grips are arguably the most visceral part of the bike. Whether you're in a showroom or a friend's garage, even if you don't throw a leg over, you always grab the grips.

[zahnzabar]

Thanks for the great insight! I agree the grips are a visceral part of a bike. I didn't like the feel of the foam grips so I felt that getting a pair that i liked would make for a more comfortable and enjoyable ride. This being my first bike, I want it to be a reliable machine and comfortable.

[standswithabeer]

i had the exact same grips on my bike, i stripped off the foam and found the throttle tube had raised ridges on it and was told it was original. i installed a pair of Pro-Grips w/out a problem. i asked the same question back in october (page 3 currently)

[zahnzabar]

i had the exact same grips on my bike, i stripped off the foam and found the throttle tube had raised ridges on it and was told it was original. i installed a pair of Pro-Grips w/out a problem. i asked the same question back in october (page 3 currently)

Glad to hear install wasn't a problem! How did you get the old grips off without damaging the throttle tube? Some people say they use wd-40 to dissolve the glue and others say cut them off carefully.

[standswithabeer]

i cut them off carefully. not really a problem as the throttle tube itself was still pretty tough, while the foam and glue really had broken down. here's an enlarged/cropped and fuzzy pic to show what was inside my grips, 79 GS750L. i had just started the tear-down on that project.

edit: looks like some of the foam was still hangin' in there. : )

[zahnzabar]

Thanks for the info and the helpful picture!

[Grimly]

Cut the old foam ones off if you don't want to keep them (foam ones don't survive being taken off anyway) and use hair laquer to lube the inside of the new rubber one and the outside surface of the throttle tube. The new grip will slide on easily if you're lucky, and the hair laquer will evaporate and stick the grip in place without being too heavy duty an adhesive. It means you can get them off again if you need to.
Careful use of a compressed air blowgun can aid fitting, too.

[salty_monk]

I wish ODI would do a lock-on grip for motorcycles like the ones they do for mountain bikes. So much better not to have to sod about with grip glue etc!

[zahnzabar]

I wish ODI would do a lock-on grip for motorcycles like the ones they do for mountain bikes. So much better not to have to sod about with grip glue etc!

I agree! I have odi lock grips on Yamaha raptor 700 ATV and they are amazing. It would he so nice if they had them for motorcycles.