I am looking for some new grips. Are they easy enough to install?
I remember putting them on my metric bikes and they could be a real pain.
Tips on removal and installation?
MikeM

 

taking your time is the advice I would give. It's not hard, just have to be sure you dont pinch any of the wires when tightening things back up. You will not be able to resuse the stock grips as I found out. The left is glued on, so you have to cut it to remove...not a big deal really, but I thought about keeping the stock grips...ended up tosing them.

 

I changed handlebars and used my old grips. I was able to get the left side off by twisting the end of it some until the whole grip came loose. I guess I just lucked out in that the guy who put the stock grips on at the factory didn't use much glue. I just mention this so you can give it a try before you get a knife out. You may well have to cut the left side off anyway.

 

You might want to heat the grip with the fan. Then twist it left and right starting from the end at the switchhousing. It comes off most of the time.

 

Here's a little trick I used hope it will help:

If possible remove the bars and soak the grip in really hot water. I placed the end of the bars in the sink and ran the hot water on it (switch housing end up) until I was able to wiggle it lose.

 

I put a blanket under the bike to catch any tiny parts that may have dropped. I'm sure you'll hear this several times, but be careful not to loose the tiny brass bushings that hold the brake & clutch cables in place.

 

when you remove the left grip there will be a sticky residue left on the bar. do yourself a favour and spray a little wd40 inside the new grip before you try to slide it on. It makes positioning the new grip a lot easier. the wd40 will disapate quickly and the flange on the grip once secured inside the housing wont let it slip anyway. on the throttle side make sure you have plenty of slack in the cables.

 

My left grip came off easy enough, well sort of. I put on a glove and got a lot of torque on it and off it came. Seemed like most of the glue was on the end of the bar. A towel underneath the right side is a good idea so as not to lose the brass pieces for the throttle. Good luck.

 

Cover the end of a standard screwdriver with tape. Slide the screwdriver between the grip and the bars and spray some soapy water into the opening. Rotate (as best you can) the grip and repeat with the soapy water until you have worked the grip off.

Its all in preference; but, I used hairspray to put the grips back on. Its slick while its wet, then dries like adhesive.

Just a suggestion.

 

An old trick golf pros use is lighter fluid. Slide a small screwdriver about a half inch into the end of the grip then squirt some L fluid in the gap. It will wick in and loosen up the glue. Twist and pull off. Has worked for me.