When it comes to fitting handgrips, I am about as strict as it comes. I hate ’grips that spin or move in the slightest.
It puts me off and just ruins my ride. For this reason I have perfected a fool-proof way of fitting handgrips. The ’grips on my bikes always stay stuck and never move. Unless you’ve got sponsorship from a lock-on handgrip supplier you might want to see how I get my ’grips stuck for good.
1 STEADY AS SHE GOES
Place the bike up on a pitstand so it is nice and steady. You will be pushing and pulling on the ’grips so you don’t want the bike falling on top of you.
2 REMOVE OLD GRIPS
First up, remove the old grips. If they are held on with lockwire, cut that off first. Now take an airgun and place the nozzle under the lip of the ’grip. Blow air under the ’grip and it should slide off.
3 DO IT AGAIN
Repeat this trick with the airgun on the other ’grip. If a ’grip cannot be budged, which often happens with the one on the throttle tube, then you may need to cut it off with a sharp knife. If you don’t have an airgun you can try jamming a narrow screwdriver down the inside of the handgrip and spraying some penetrating oil in there.
4 CLEAN THE ’BAR
Using some methylated spirits on a rag, give the handlebar and throttle tube a good clean so the new grips will stick.
5 CONTACT CEMENT
Take some contact cement and apply it to the inside of the new handgrips. I use spray-on contact cement. If you do not have the spray on stuff then you can use the cement in a tube, it works just as well but is a bit messy.
6 RIGHT AND LEFT
Making sure you have the ’grips the right way round, slide them onto the handlebar and throttle tube. Twist them as you push them on so that the glue gets applied evenly.
7 LOCKWIRE
Now cut six pieces of lockwire long enough to wrap around the ’grips twice.
8 TWIST IT TIGHT
Wrap the lockwire around the grip twice, sit it nice and neat and then twist it tight. Be careful not to make it too tight or the lockwire might cut through the ’grip or break.
9 THREE LOOPS
Continue lock wiring until there are three loops evenly spaced along each handgrip.
10 CUT OFF EXCESS
Now cut off the excess lockwire. Be careful not to cut off too much or it will come undone and you’ll have to start all-over again.
11 TAP ENDS FLAT
Use a small hammer to gently bend over the sharp ends of the lockwire so it does not stab you through your gloves when you grab the handlebar.
12 LET IT DRY
Allow the glue to completely dry and then check the action of the throttle. Sometimes a small amount of glue can make its way into the inside of the throttle tube and cause the throttle to stick. If this happens, remove the throttle tube and clean it out. Technical Editor Mat Boyd
TIPS
DO’S
1 Clean the handlebar and throttle tube before fitting the new ’grips.
2 Twist the ’grips as you push them on to evenly apply the glue.
3 Space the lockwire evenly along the ’grip.
DON’TS
1 Over tighten the lockwire.
2 Leave any sharp ends sticking out.
3 Fit the new handgrips over dirt.