| Author | Message | ||
     Marcodesade |
Hi guys. I've never dealt with grips, and it's time to install my new set of Tractions. I do have the manual, but I want to make sure I understand the process BEFORE I start. If I'm reading it right, the left side is glued in but the throttle side is secured only by the throttle mechanism. Is that accurate? Is there anything else I need to be careful of (for example, when cutting off the old left-side grip)? Finally, I do have aftermarket bar-ends. So I'm thinking I need to cut out the ends. I've read about a couple of possible methods --- x-acto knife, dremel, even tapping it with a mallet when it's on the bar. Anyone care to share their experiences with any of these methods? I would prefer to remove the minimum amount of material possible . . . | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Just get the old one off the left side however you can, cutting, scraping, etc. It depends on how much glue the factory used. I have seen them where they are not solidly attached at all, and where it took me an hour to get it all off! On the throttle side, just pay attention as you take it apart. It's pretty intuitive. On the bar ends, I used an x-acto, but the bar ends will cover up the cuts, so no worries. R | ||
| Justa4banger |
Yea i just swapped my grips for traction grips last weekend... I broke out the hairdryer to heat things up since it was in the 40's when i changed the grips and apparently whom ever assembled my bike decided to ensure every square mm of the grip was secured to the bar.... Took about 45 min to get the left grip off after that it was smooth sailing. oh watch out for the little nubs on the throttle assembly... they go into the bar itself to center the throttle. Somehow one of the nubs was broke off... didn;t cause any issue and it still secures just fine to the bar. | ||
| Justa4banger |
(Message edited by justa4banger on December 19, 2009) | ||
| Blur |
These traction grips seem to be all the rage. Are they really that much better than stock? I bought my brother a set for Christmas so I'll be able to see for myself in the spring but what makes them so great? | ||
| Badlionsfan |
They fit the curve of your hand. Makes hanging on much more comfortable, which I'm more sensitive to that others as both of my wrists had carpal tunnel surgically repaired. | ||
| Froggy |
Nope, they are hard as a rock, and the shape of them puts a ton of pressure on your palms. My hands hurt after only about half a mile with them. The Buell heated grips on the other hand are perfect. | ||
| Toona |
Get your traction grips asap. They are one of the accessory parts being discontinued. | ||
| 146hp375lbs |
This probably does not apply to Buells , but if a grip is not glued on you can take compressed air & a blow gun & get grips right on & off. Simply aim the nozzle under the grip, push the trigger & remove grip same deal when installing. I usually carefully & quickly spray paint ( clear) the inside of the grip or outside of handlebar before installing. Acts as a lubricant then holds them tight when dry. These are old dirt bike tricks ,never had a Buell grip off. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
These traction grips seem to be all the rage. Are they really that much better than stock? Sorry, Froggy... Yes, they are.... R | ||
| Froggy |
Funny thing is, the only people I see running traction grips are over 50  | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I'm 30 and love em. | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
They had a xb at the dealer with them, I sat on it and I didn't care for the oversized grip... | ||
| Bartimus |
+5 on the heated grips | ||
| Smoke4ndmears |
totally satisfied with traction grips. 31 with big hands. | ||
| Marcodesade |
Not that this debate over the merits of the grips isn't fascinating, but I need to jack my thread back to the original topic: installation. I've removed both of the old grips. Throttle side was easy, and I guess I got lucky in that only about 1/3 of the area on the left side was glued. 5 minutes to remove the grip, and maybe another 10 to completely clean the remaining glue and rubber residue. I used Goo Gone a couple times as I went; actual effect was unclear, but it was great for my morale. But now I'm having trouble fitting the new grip to the left side. I've cut out the end to accommodate my bar-ends, but I'm having real trouble sliding the grip more than about 1/2-way on. I'm reluctant to try it with the glue on because the instructions understandably warn against hesitating, lest the grip end up glued 1/2 way on. Any advice? | ||
| Smoke4ndmears |
the glue will help it slide on better. the rest is muscle. really you've spent more time asking here than it would have taken with a dollop of brute force. you can always try the tried and true trick of using hair spray as well. the results should be satisfactory without being as cemented as with the goo that buell gives you. | ||
| Justa4banger |
With the glue it does slide easier... i was thinking the same thing, but went for it anyways. i was pleasantly surprised by how much less effort was needed to get the grip into position | ||
| Fast1075 |
Spray some brake cleaner inside the grip...slide it on while it is still wet... | ||
| Joshinga |
Iv always used hairspray to install the grips the stuff allows them to slide on easy and when it dryed the glue in the hairspray took over. my 2cents | ||
| Superdavetfft |
Hi; I found the best way to remove them if you have access to the end of the grip like with bar end mirrors or weights is a little lube trick. I stick a small long screwdriver, (1/8 inch diameter) between the grip and the handlebar and stretch it open a tad. I then take silicone spray lube with the long spray extension hose (like WD40 has etc) and poke the hose down the little gap I'm holding open with the screwdriver. Then give it one little squirt of silicone and work the screwdriver around the bar and it'll slip right off with no damage to the grip or bar. superdave | ||
| Macchiato |
If you don't have a compressor, canned air works for removal too. Then I used a light soap film slip onto the bar end and use the canned air for the last bit. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I liked the shape of the Traction grips but I kind of agree with Froggy- the rubber was too hard for me and hurt my palms after an hour or so. THEN I found these grips at American Sport Bike: http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/5662.html They're shaped very similar to the Traction grips but they have a much "cushier" gel material. I have them on all my bikes now and love them. | ||
| Gootch |
Slide 5 or more tie wraps down the inside of the left grip. Position them around the outside of the bar, slide the grip on and remove each tie wrap. Golf shops often use WD40 and lets them cure. I often glue mine and safety wire but I find it's not needed for the street. | ||
| Eboos |
I just use alcohol to install new grips. Pour some denatured alcohol on the inside of new clean grips and install them on clean dry bars. Let them dry in a few hours. Then safety wire them. |
