I need everyone's help on this

yzeater · Mar 9, 2002

Hey Spodes,
This is a really simple issue, but for some reason I have major problems with it. I simply can't get grips to stay on:whiner: I've tried almost everything. Windex, hairspray, hp2 gripstick, friction tape and contact cleaner. I use safety wire with all of these. The only thing that worked well was the friction tape and contact cleaner. I ordered Renthal Soft Compound grips for a change, so that counts out the friction tape (I don't want to melt the grips). I tried hairspray and safety wire on thursday. This morning they still weren't tight, so I took them off, cleaned the bars with contact cleaner, wiped them off, sprayed windex on them and put them back on and safety wired them. That was about 6 hours ago. They aren't tight, and I don't think they will get tight. So what have you found to be the best method for putting on grips? What works, what doesn't? What style do you use with the safety wire (I can't buy safety wire pliers, but I have vice grips)? Should I wait until tomorrow to take the grips off again? HELP!! Thanks a lot:)

Adrenaline · Mar 9, 2002

hey Stephen, I've found that inflating the grips makes it easier to put them on and I don't even use glue. If i do use glue it's elmers glue lol. I think the contact cleaner might be your problem. Try not using it to clean the bars. Use a razor and scrape away what ever it may be on your bars.
ADR

fatty_k · Mar 9, 2002

I think the windex is the problem here. I just use a lot of grip glue and twist them on. Be careful with the soft compound grips not to rip them when you are tiwsting. The contact cleaner may also make a surface that the glue dosn't want to stick to.

Titanium · Mar 9, 2002

Don't even bother with those grips at this point, they are full of all the junk that didn't work...get new grips. Maybe you could salvage them by using some sort of NON petroleum based hand cleaner or something. Then, I agree...use the glue only (inside the grip AND on the bar/throttle tube) and keep on twisting and forcing it on there. Just when you think it won't go any further, smack the very end of the grip with the flat palm of your hand a few times. Let them sit over night and I would be surprised to hear you could get them off without cutting them. If you want to run safety wire too, go ahead. Remember, nickels (5 cents) in the end of your grips will keep the bars from punching through in a crash.

Tapkawiman · Mar 9, 2002

Several things I do, first is i use a very light emory cloth on the bars to take off the high sheen off the end of the bars so you get more of a mechanical bond with the glue instead of just a chemical bond. I also dont use any kind of cleaners on the bars except brake clean if I have to not contact cleaner as it has a tendancy to leave a film. I use hair spray to keep mine on but you cant use the cheap stuff, you have to use the high dollar stuff (wife gets pretty pissed when she cant find it in the mourning) :scream: Also I dont touch the grips at all for atleast 24 hours. Then I safety wire them. Havnt had a grip come loose in 12 years. I also talked to some of the pros who race desert and they use super glue to put there on but they say they are a pain to take off and you better have your crap together when you use superglue as most people know you only have a few minutes to work with it.

FenryHonda · Mar 9, 2002

I have been using spray paint since the mid 70's and have never lost a grip yet.

Just lightly scuff the bar end with sandpaper, and spray the paint inside the grip, then slide on, let set. Once dry, use safety wire.

biglou · Mar 9, 2002

I use an industrial grade 3M rubber cement (contact adhesive). Brush a thin layer on the bar, put a dab on the inside of the grip, slide it on, wait five minutes and ride. Just a note, this isn't for everyone. Once applied, these grips won't be coming off except with a knife.

jmics19067 · Mar 9, 2002

toss the grips and buy new I use brake cleaner and a scotch brite pad to clean the bars and throttle tube. If I dont have any 3m weatherstip adheseive I use paint. Spray some on one end of thebar and then some in the correct side grip and slide it on while paint or glue is still wet and postion it , then do the other side.
I dont own safety wire pliers either in fact I dont use safety wire really I use mechanics wire <same idea but it is a hell of a lot thicker and a lot easier to find at the local hardware store> since the twisted wire knot is gonna be thicker I have to take a lot of care positioning it so it wont snag my glove or cut into my hand

Fred T · Mar 10, 2002

This may sound stupid but

don't Renthal grips require their own type glue? I've used "GOOP" to glue grips on and that has worked. My TAG bars have a knurled grip end on them which geeps the grip from spinning on the bar.

KTA · Mar 10, 2002

I use the cheap grip glue i find at the local shop. I find though that it takes a few days to dry properly so the grips don't slide. Maybe you aren't waiting long enough for things to dry.

Patman · Mar 10, 2002

It sounds like you've got a bigger issue going here if you "simply can't get grips to stay on..." as most good grips are a bit of work to install. What kind of bars do you have? I installed a pair of Renthal soft compound grips a while back on my KTM and they were so tacky that the only way to get them on was a generous layer of Renthal grip glue and working fast. I tried HP2 grip glue when installing the soft grips on my Montesa but the grips were so snug and the HP2 dried so fast that I had to pull the grip off, clean everything up and just spray some contact cleaner and slide them on quickly. If you've got a painted steel bar that may be your problem with grips never staying put because I have never seen this problem on aluminum bars. I always saftey wire my grips just because it's a little extra insurance. The pliers and wire are inexpensive and the roll of wire will last a LOOOOONG time. You can even have them delivered to you door from HERE

Jaybird · Mar 10, 2002

Adrenaline knows the secret to putting grips on.:D

Glue em to stay like Lou suggested and use a knife for removals.

On the afety wire, be sure you arent using cheapo wire, you can't get it tight enough to hold without breaking.

yzeater · Mar 10, 2002

.I've got aluminum bars Patman:) . Last night I went outside, cut all the old safety wire off and removed the bars. I scratched up the bars with steel wool. I looked around the garage for anything that looked sticky, and the best thing I found was spraypaint. I sprayed the inside of the grips and slid them back on. The end of the left side grip ripped open and sprayed paint on the walls of the garage. This morning the end of the grips (where there was more paint) were really stuck, but the rest was a little loose. I'll buy some stronger grips and some rubber cement next weekend. I was talking to my friend at church today, and he said that he just slides them on dry. Does this work? You guys are being a big help here:) . BTW my hands are seriously screwed up from the sharp safety wire.

zilla · Mar 10, 2002

I use rubbiing alcohol to install my grips.. Just slosh some into the grip, and slide it on.. The alcohol dries fast and the grip are on.. Then add wire.. I tried glues but this worx best for me.

zilla

Camstyn · Mar 11, 2002

The best method I've found is spraying some clear spray paint into a new set of grips. Not so it's running out, but coated inside. Slip it on, let it dry for a couple of hours, and you don't even need safety wire after that.

jharmon · Mar 11, 2002

I think your problem is that you are accidentally buying Four-wheeler grips. I made the same mistake and the left hand grip kept sliding off, no matter what I did.

One of my friends told me to go out and make sure you buy grip made for a dirtbike. You'll notice the holes are different sizes. The right grip should be bigger to slide over your throttle handle. Once I bought the right grips, I haven't had a problem since. And from the sounds of it, most of the guys here had the same problem I did, which is putting them on, not keeping them on.

Good Luck!

eunos · Mar 11, 2002

Hey guys
Only use hair spray as a lubricant to help slide the grip,I use renthal glue and wire and leave it 24 hrs, and then I have to cut them off.

I`m sorry guys but ALWAYS,ALWAYS,ALWAYS.use wire. I say this after watching a friend come down off a 40 ft jump holding a grip in each hand.You know he was still holding them when we picked him up and put him in the ambulance! Needless to say he always wired grips afterwards.

whyzee · Mar 11, 2002

My renthals are machined on the clutch side and hold my grips very tight. My throttle tube is machine finished billet and holds excellent as well. I use 909 grips and compressed air to install them.

marcv125 · Mar 11, 2002

Well here is what i did...

Honestly this is what i did. I purchsed renthal half waffle grips, and i have pro-taper bars. the grips were so hard to put on, i used wd-40, seriously, and the grips slid on and are actually extremely tight on my bars..No safety wire needed..:) :confused:

Kaw_Boy_5 · Mar 11, 2002

Use contact cement, not rubber cement. There is a difference.

yzeater · Mar 11, 2002

Where can I get contact cement?

Kaw_Boy_5 · Mar 11, 2002

You can get it at any hardware store or even probably at Walmart. Rubber cement is designed to allow the two pieces that you glue together to later be pulled apart. Contact cement is permanent. I usually goop bunch on the bar and then put some on my finger and smear it around inside the grip. The grip will then slide right on. Let them sit for a good two days before even messing with it. I have never had a grip slip. You later can remove these by pushing a screwdriver under it a spraying wd-40 into it.

bruce j · Mar 11, 2002

You can get contact cement at any hardware store, it's very common. On my own grips I have used WD-40 and alcohol, both with mechanics wire, both worked well. The WD-40 gives a little more time to get the grip in position before it dries, you have to move fast with the alcohol.

jmics19067 · Mar 12, 2002

On the afety wire, be sure you arent using cheapo wire, you can't get it tight enough to hold without breaking.

I will not argue that the stainless safety wire is a stronger material but the mechanics wire is still strong enough to cut the grip in half if you wrap it too tight. What works for me definately isnt always the best way but I have never had a grip come off since I owned a Schwinn Stringray.

What you can do to keep the wire from destroying your gloves and hand is wrap a strip of cloth tape around the wire but you will be replacing it all the time. I still prefer though is too sit on the bike grab the bars and look where the open spot in my hands are and make sure the knot of the wire is there. Cut the wire down so there is about 3 good even complete twists in the knot, then fold it to the side into the rubber of the grip and then give it a little tap to bury it in

jmics19067 · Mar 12, 2002

The pliers and wire are inexpensive and the roll of wire will last a LOOOOONG time. [/QUOTE

sorry to post twice but this was an after thought. hehehe the wire I actually use I pilfered off my father. Who got the wire to fish the wiring in his house before I was born. I am 37 years old. He worked at that time for John A Roebling&Sons . A wire rope and cable company that was famous for building the Brooklyn Bridge and also selling the cable for the Golden Gate bridge amongst others so the wire I am using might not be something you find in a hardware store.

I need everyone's help on this

yzeater

Adrenaline

Mod Ban

fatty_k

Titanium

Tapkawiman

FenryHonda

biglou

jmics19067

Fred T

KTA

Patman

Pantless Wonder

Jaybird

Apprentice Goon

yzeater

zilla

Camstyn

jharmon

eunos

whyzee

Never enough time !

marcv125

Kaw_Boy_5

yzeater

Kaw_Boy_5

bruce j

jmics19067

jmics19067

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I need everyone's help on this

Mod Ban

biglou

Pantless Wonder

Apprentice Goon

Never enough time !

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