Trimming throttle tube for new grips

[Surly]

Let me make sure I am clear on this.

Since no aftermarket grips have the provision to fit the lip on the inside of the throttle tube (nearest the kill switch) I have three options:

- buy more Genuine Suzuki grips.

- stick on new aftermarket grips and live with this uncovered albino-white piece of plastic.

- Dremmel it off.

Just want to be clear prior to doing something dumb. Thanks.

[quiktrp]

I chose option number 2. Might clearance my grips so they slide over, if I get motivated.

[bwringer]

I just live with it, but it would probably be easier and less risky to chamfer the inside of the new grip to fit more closely. Depending on the grip material, sandpaper might work best...?

[jimcor]

Ahhh, OK Monty, I choooooose DOOR NUMBER TWO! You get used to the white ring and you see it on everybody's bike so it really is no big deal. It becomes normal after a while. Just put new grips on mine last week so I can relate.

[Jethro]

I took my throttle tube to a bench grinder and made it work just fine for any aftermarket grips I buy. I also installed a homemade gasket, looks like a donut to keep the rubber from hitting the right bar switch case. I have really sticky grips. Just make sure you use some hairspray to glue the grips on, becasue that lip is a lock to prevent the grip from spinning.

[onchiman]

I couldn't stand the white plastic showing. I used a dremel and then followed up with a hand file.

[Surly]

oooooooohhhh

I gots me one itchy Dremmel finger these days....

Ordered some Galindo Superbike grips with the spacers to convert to 130mm grips. I'll see how they work, I may just be able to chamber the spacer, depending on the material, to make me happy. If not, out comes every man's electric guillotine.

[Hoomgar]

I put SuperBike grips on my GS1000 last year and it came with a spacer/washer that installs before the grip and covers that flange. Other grips I have used don't have that so I just deal with it.

[DimitriT]

I dremel'ed it on both bikes. We are talking about the angled lip just past the cable retension lip, right?

I used the dremel cutting straight bit, went through it like cold butter but made a mess from the shavings.

BTW, getting the foamy comfort grips on the throttle tube was tough. I wound up getting one on half way and it wouldn't go futher. I then cut it off and tried a second one with a little grease on it. It eventually slipped on all the way with the grease and is not coming off with out a knife.

[spyderrocs]

I dremel'ed it on both bikes. We are talking about the angled lip jump past the cable retension lip, right?

I used the dremel cutting straight bit, went through it like cold butter but made a mess from the shavings.

BTW, getting the foamy comfort grips on the throttle tube was tough. I wound up getting one on half way and it wouldn't go futher. I then cut it off and tried a second one with a little grease on it. It eventually slipped on all the way with the grease and is not coming off with out a knife.

You can use compressed air too. Thats how i do it and it gets in on real easy, and you can use the same technique to get them off with out damaging them.

[DimitriT]

You can use compressed air too. Thats how i do it and it gets in on real easy, and you can use the same technique to get them off with out damaging them.

Yea. I thought about doing something like that, but I had to reach further for the air hose than the grease

Now, how did you seal up the end for the air to work? Also, once you get it on 90% of the way, won't the throttle tube get in the way of the air hose -then you are stuck. I'm curious how you managed it. Did you apply air to the tube end and somehow cover the other side?

[hunter58]

Let me make sure I am clear on this.

Since no aftermarket grips have the provision to fit the lip on the inside of the throttle tube (nearest the kill switch) I have three options:

- buy more Genuine Suzuki grips.

- stick on new aftermarket grips and live with this uncovered albino-white piece of plastic.

- Dremmel it off.

Just want to be clear prior to doing something dumb. Thanks.

I just got done putting my new bars and grips on. I did choice #4... I painted the the white thingy flat black and you can hardly notice it. Looks almost like one of those black foam spacers. Hopefully my fairing will be in soon and it'll be time for new pics.

Steve

[bwringer]

Yea. I thought about doing something like that, but I had to reach further for the air hose than the grease

Now, how did you seal up the end for the air to work? Also, once you get it on 90% of the way, won't the throttle tube get in the way of the air hose -then you are stuck. I'm curious how you managed it. Did you apply air to the tube end and somehow cover the other side?

You just stick an air nozzle in between the grip and the handlbar or tube (I have an air gun with a long, thin tip), squeeze the trigger, and it sort of blows up and expands the grips so you can walk them on or off with no damage. No special sealing moves or implements are needed. You have to work it off in several stages, but compressed air is easy and quick and doesn't damage the grips.

I usually install grips with enough hairspray to make them slippery inside, then give 'em a quick shot of compressed air to dry out the hairspray almost instantly. To remove, use the air gun trick.

I'm not sure how I ever got along without my air compressor.

[Surly]

Hairspray

Just a note on hairspray. Stay out of the rain. I used to use hairspray on all of my mountain bikes to hold on the grips. Works great until it gets wet, then they can come off slick as they go on. Doesn't always happen, but has happened to me more than once. Once the water dries, the hairspray sticks again. But it's such a bummer to be riding with a grips minus the bar in your hands.

I stopped using hairspray, preferring to just use the air compressor to stick them on dry. They can still get water underneath when it rains, but without the hairspray the grip is better on the bar when wet.

I use carbon or aluminum bars on the mtbs so cutting to remove a grip isn't an option. However, on steel motorcycle bars, I prefer just a thin film of grip cement and the air compressor.

I know, bikes to motorbikes is kind of an apples to oranges comparison, and it doesn't always happen, but it is something to consider if you live in wet climates.