Hand Grips replacement

[DGS65]

How difficult is it to replace the grips I have a throttle lock if this makes a difference.  It is just something I have never done except for a dirt bike many years ago.

[Jack B]

How difficult is it to replace the grips I have a throttle lock if this makes a difference.  It is just something I have never done except for a dirt bike many years ago.

First you take the end cap off and that blow some compressed air between the grip and the handlebar and it could come off.

[Jess from VA]

Besides compressed air, an ice pick and a can of spray solvent (like carb cleaner with long nozzle) makes them easy to get off.  Screw off the caps, work the ice pick in, slide the long nozzle all the way in next to the pick and spray, while pulling it out.  Do it at 12, 3, 6 and 9 O'clock, and off they come (I never cared to save them, but with care you can).  You can also just cut them off with a utility knife if you want to.  

Take care with the plastic throttle sleeve at all times (it gets brittle with age).  Clean everything up, ruff up your bar ends and throttle sleeve with some steel wool or sandpaper, and glue the new ones on.  You can use grip glue or super glue or gorilla glue, but you have 3 seconds to get them right before they are frozen, and cleanup can be nasty.  I use clear RTV sealant, and can take 30 minutes to get them right (but I have to periodically redo the throttle side as it starts slowly turning a bit after 18-24 months, it won't come off in your hand while riding, but just starts slowly turning aorund the grip).  Also, you need to let RTV cure overnight before riding, unlike grip glue which is good to go in 3 seconds.  

Put more glue inside the grip than on the bar (and none near the end of the bar close to the handlebar controls above them, because as you slide them on, the goop builds up on top, and can glue the grip to the controls if you don't get it all cleaned off (again, RTV is easy cleanup).  It doesn't matter if the left grip gets glued to the controls, but it matters a lot if your right throttle grip gets glued to the controls, it will no longer turn. (and I also have a throttle lock, and you don't want that glued to the new grip either)

If you get Kuryakyn ISO grips, they (and some others) have a pattern that you'd like to have match on each side.  The ISOs need to have the two rows of rubbers under your palms and fingertips, at say 10 and 4 o'clock.  This takes more time to do nicely than the stock or other plain grips (thus the RTV).

Kuryakyn ISO grips come in two lengths for Valk.  Specific for Valk are extra long at 6 1/4 inches (and come with spacers to drop inside the grips before gluing), to add stiffness to the extra length beyond the bar ends.  These are especially nice because mainly on the throttle side, you can get their matching throttle boss (palm rest) to add at the end, and it is below your hand and does not interfere with it during normal riding (when you want to use it, you slide your hand down to it).  Otherwise, you can get their universal 5 3/4 inch grips (same as OE), and you can still add their throttle boss, but if your hand is large it may interfere, unless you turn it aorund and install it upside down, sticking out past the end of the grip.

[Bighead]

Jess an air compressor and a small nozzle and the damn thing will jump off no need for any ice pics or other sharp objects. 

[DGS65]

Is there a specific grip to use with the throttle lock?

[Bighead]

What lock are you speaking of?

[Jess from VA]

Jess an air compressor and a small nozzle and the damn thing will jump off no need for any ice pics or other sharp objects.  

Well, everyone doesn't have an air compressor.  I've used the ice pick several times and never stabbed myself.  It takes a couple minutes.  I have a small compressor, but no small nozzle (I could probably get one).  

The original OEs (on multiple bikes) I never liked, and cut them off.

Not too much of a hijack, my little cheapo Campbell Hausfeld Walmart unit (POS) runs down too quickly and leaks and I need another.  I'd get a big one if I had room, but don't.  Any suggestions?

It has to be small, but I have to lug it out to my truck.

On the throttle lock, I'd go to the seller information page and see what they say about it. (grips wise)

[mello dude]

Jess an air compressor and a small nozzle and the damn thing will jump off no need for any ice pics or other sharp objects.  

Not too much of a hijack, my little cheapo Campbell Hausfeld Walmart unit (POS) runs down too quickly and leaks and I need another.  I'd get a big one if I had room, but don't.  Any suggestions?
 

Agree not to hijack, but if someone said I had to get a compressor today, I would head to Harbor Freight and grab a 3 gal pancake type....

Back to grips..... Something I need to do anyway.... 

[DGS65]

No worries about hijacking.  I happen to have three compressors not sure about a small nozzle but I'm sure I have something that would work.  As for new grips and Athens throttle lock I'm assuming it is a stock lock that would have come with a tourer I will have to take a closer look at how it
 Is setup it's possible it would be unaffected by removing the grips.  Maybe the grip just slides on up to it but is not actually part of it.

[Jess from VA]

https://www.atlasthrottlelock.com/

I looked the site over quickly, and it seems to be a pretty universal fit (if you got the right one for your bike).

I did not find a section in their website on aftermarket grips.  You haven't said what grips you are looking at.  You can never go wrong to call Atlas and ask them about the grips you have in mind.

I leave my lock installed in place when replacing the throttle grip.

A dry fit of your new grip (before glue) should show you it will work fine.

[Willow]

How difficult is it to replace the grips I have a throttle lock if this makes a difference. 

To answer the original question, it's not difficult at all and no, not much.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Not too much of a hijack, my little cheapo Campbell Hausfeld Walmart unit (POS) runs down too quickly and leaks and I need another.  I'd get a big one if I had room, but don't.  Any suggestions?

It has to be small, but I have to lug it out to my truck.

I have this Makita. Obviously, it doesn't have the capacity of a 60 gallon tank, but it's been a very good compressor so far. https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/MAC5200  It's on wheels, too, so moving it around isn't a problem.

[Fazer]

I've had the air compressor and generator from HF and both were junk.  Now have the Campbell Hausfeld, like Jess and very satisfied.

[Jess from VA]

I've had the air compressor and generator from HF and both were junk.  Now have the Campbell Hausfeld, like Jess and very satisfied.

Well, my CamHau is probably 15yo, and real slow and leaky, though it still works.  I want better.

The reviews on the Harbor Freight 3gal pancake (Chinese) are all over the place. (love and hate, a lot like marriages)

Research shows the better 6 gal pancakes are way better than the 3 gallons (and only about 30%+ more money), but then I get to lug 40 lbs instead of 20 lbs.  

I'm old, but can still lug 40 lbs (so far); it's only 75 feet or so.

For a lot of money, you can get quiet ones.  I wondered why quiet until I read lots of carpenters working indoors all day in construction (nail guns) go crazy from the noise.  Indoors, I just use a hammer, and the noise is only if I whack my thumb.    

[Bighead]

I have one similar to this not the kobalt brand. Have had it 20 yrs and no problems it will leak down over several days. But it works great. Easy to move around.