How to Change Grips on Motorcycle Handlebars
Installing a set of new hand grips on your motorcycle helps keep your ability to hold onto the handlebars adequate and it cleans up you motorcycle's appearance a bit. Old grips wear out, exposed to the elements all the time, and rubber ones dry out, becoming hard and brittle. New grips are fairly inexpensive and you can change their look easily, with a variety of different choices on the market.
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Things You'll Need
- New grips
- Box cutter
- Shop towel
- Lubricant spray
- Rubber mallet
- Allen key set
Instructions
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Generic Grip Installation
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1
Remove the new rubber grips from their packaging. Place them nearby for easy access. Cut the old grips on your motorcycle with a box cutter so that the cut runs parallel to your handle bars. Start the cut from the grip edge nearest the center of the handlebars and cut outward.
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2
Use your thumbs to split the old grips, one at a time, until you can pull them off the bare handlebars. Clear the handlebars of any residue or dirt using a shop towel. Throw the old grips away. Pick the new grips and, one at a time, lightly spray the inside tube with a bit of lubricant spray.
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3
Turn the sprayed grip upside down to empty any excess spray into a shop towel. Insert the end of the handlebar into a new grip and push the new grip onto the metal bar. If it stops short of full insertion, use a rubber mallet from the grip end to bump it onto the handlebar. Use a shop towel to clean up any residue spray that may squeeze out. Repeat the same process for the other handlebar with the second grip.
Chrome or Solid Grip Installation
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4
Locate the securing nut on your existing grips by examining the inner edges of the current grips. Insert the Allen key into the nut, once found, and turn it counterclockwise. Pull the grip off the handlebar once the nut twists loose enough that the grip can move.
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5
Use a shop towel to wipe the motorcycle handlebar clean of any dirt or residue. Unpack the new grips from their packaging. Insert the securing nut into the inner edge of the grip, if the manufacturer did not already do so. Slide the new grip onto the bare handlebar.
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6
Push the new grip on so that it fully seats on the handlebar and won't slide on further. Insert the Allen key into the grip securing nut on the inner edge and turn it clockwise. Continue turning until the nut twists tight against the handlebar and you cannot move or twist the grip. Repeat the same process for the other handlebar with the second grip.
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1
Tips & Warnings
A set of grips frequently comes with two different inner-diameter sizes, because motorcycle handlebars tend to have different sizes between the throttle and alternate handle. Make sure the right grip is inserted on the right side or you will have to redo the job once you find the mistake.
Be careful using box cutters. The razor edge is extremely sharp and will cut easily, causing a significant hand injury.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
