I did a quick search, but couldn't find any useful info. I have had new drag bars, mirrors and grips in my possession since last October, and I just can't wait to put them on any longer. Sposed to be a little warmer here this weekend too (wooo hoo, 40 degrees !!), so I'm getting a little antsy. Lol, doesn't help that I ordered some more parts a couple weeks ago.....

Anyway, I just ordered a service manual, but I doubt it's going to come by this weekend. To all of you out there that have swapped out your bars on the new wide glides, what gaskets (if any) did you need to replace, and do you have any helpful hints?

Also, I test fitted my new grips, and it seems like the left grip (gets glued on) is going to be a real bitch to get on. Almost seems as if the bars weren't milled down all the way. Any hints on making the grip slide on, without messing the glue up at the same time? Thanks!

 

What kind of grips did you get? A good old school trick you can use instead of using glue for the grip is wrap some electric tape around the bar then slide it on over it.

I'm not sure when you say gaskets..do you mean the bushings? If so you can re-use them no problem. They are the rubber pieces right underneath the risers.

You do know you will have to most likely pull the tank (or at least prop it up) in order to reach under the tank, unplug the wiring harnesses, and pull the wires from the bars? Not hard, just time consuming.

I know it's hard to wait (and believe me I have no patience) but best thing you can do is to not do anything until you have the service manual. This way you know you have it for reference.

 

I like that tape idea, just may hafta try that out.

As for the gaskets, I was referring to any gaskets that may be inside the housings, like the banjo bolt gaskets. Not sure what others there may be, as I have never swapped bars out.

I know guys are gonna say to wait for the manual, but I'm the kind of guy that likes to just figure things out, and break **** in the process!

 

Are the new bars that much taller? You said you had a wide glide and are going to drags so you might be able to just take off the housings and put them on the new bars.

 

The age old method of getting old golf grips off may apply to your grips- stick a needle nozzle in there and blow compressed air in. That should wrap all around the diameter and allow you to slide them off.
Not sure if this applies, but it's all I can think of. Haven't done it myself.....
Good luck!
Z

 

Heh...wanna know what I did the first time I installed a pair of new grips on a bike? I glued the throttle onto the bars....

Wait for the manual...

 

It's not electrical tape that you put on the bars before sliding on the grips, it's friction tape. It's the cloth based rubberized type tape that's been around for well over 50 years. I've used that for years, just wrap the bar with friction tape, leaving about 1/4" or so between wraps, squirt some lighter fluid on the tape and slip the grips on. The lighter fluid makes the tape slippery, but when it dries, it's like glue. Never had a grip come loose with this method and my bikes were ridden hard racing.

Other methods are to use spray paint on the bars, clear is okay, then slide the grips on. I've even heard of using hair spray, but I'd be cautious of how that might hold in wet conditions.

If the grips are a bit tight to put on, heat them up a bit with hair dryer.

Don't worry about buying new bushings or anything, unless you intend to switch to polyurethane riser bushings....not a bad idea. You can just use the $10 bushings, you don't need the entire $30-$50 handlebar damper kit.

 

this might help untill you get your manual

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....?Type=12&A=515

 

Thanks for all the info!

 

Thanks for this as well. I can definitely see this coming in handy