Handlebar Hand Grips for Yamaha

Handlebar Hand Grips for a Yamaha YZF 600R R6 S FZ6 FZ1 FZ8 Fazer.
Will they fit a stock 1985 XJ Maxim?

 

I realize I asked a stupid question. I phoned the local Yamaha dealer today and they said all Japanese grips fit all Japanese bikes unless they have a non standard bar. Standard bar being 7/8 in. But 55 people viewed this post and nobody said a word. What is the sense of asking questions or advise if nobody will answer you. I can’t believe that everyone is as dumb as I am on handle grips. I will probably won’t post any more questions on here as they seem to be too simple to answer.

 

Don't be so hard on yourself. The 55 other people just wanted to know too, so your contributing already!

 

Kingston, sorry I didn't see your original post. Some of us do know the answer to your questions.

I'm glad you got the answer you were looking for from your local dealer, but there are a lot of questions that you will have that they won't know the answer to.

Un-answered posts don't happen all the time, but they do happen. Most of the time it's because one of us that know the answer and post to this forum didn't see your post, we can't catch them all.

What white is referring to is the fact that, as I type this, there are two members on here, and 39 visitors. I'm guessing that the 55 views your post had were from visitors, or from members who are only lookers, not active posters.

Please, if you have other questions ask them. It is a rare occasion that this happens.

 

And the dealer isn't strictly correct. They are all 7/8 but length varies, that's why I didn't answer.

Thanks for knocking us around your first day here.

 

I can attest to the wonders of obscure answers here. I joined the forum a year ago and sometimes replies aren't immediate, but when they do come in and you see the reply is from someone with a few hundred posts or more, you can bet it is a better answer than you can pay anyone at any local shop or dealer to provide.

I'll have to attest to the somewhat stupidity of the forum.. I fall into the category of members who spends more time looking than posting.. mostly because I am learning myself. It doesn't mean you are being ignored, just that there are others eager to learn and curious to the minor difficulties of others on the site.

Finally, (and this should have been first) welcome to the forum! Don't be afraid to ask, the guys here are awesome!

 

Whoa, relax man. Like they said before me, we can't all read every post every day. I urge you to take advantage of the tool that is this forum. There is a wealth of knowledge in the threads here as well as the members.

Calling Yamaha was a good idea. Keep in mind though that we ride 30 year old bikes. Many of the technician at Yamaha will likely have no details for our models.

Don't write off the entire forum due to a delayed response. I have come to learn who to trust here and I hope that you will too. I will come here with any issues before I ever call Yamaha. In fact, I've never had too...

 

You will get better info here on our bikes than any dealer could ever hope to provide. There are many reasons why you may have not gotten a quick response. I have posted several times and had to wait for an answer to my question. It was always worth the wait. The members here are always willing to help out. We have many visitors to the forum that bump up the page view count. In that count you may have just had a few actual members who weren't completely sure of the answer. Some of us take a very quick look at the new posts as we run out the door for the day and unfortunately didn't have the time to answer. Good luck with your bike. Please don't hesitate to ask questions. Check out the FAQ for some important info on getting your bike into a safe condition to ride. Don't just assume it is.

 

I've got to agree with all the above. It wasn't a stupid question, as the god like Guru's on here say, "the only stupid question, is the question that ISN'T asked" You actually asked the very question I was going to ask, as my grips are now non existant. Ask away my friend.


As zombiehouse has said, you will get far better answers on here than you can normally get from your dealer, seeing as some of the bikes ridden on here are OLDER than the dealers them selves.

May I make a suggetion to you, save Time for those who are trying to help you. Use LOCATION Feature. Use SIGNATURE Feature. Enter THUMBS Info about your Bike! All in your profile. There could be members of this forum that live very close to you, who may be able to help you in time to come

As a footnote, I've only just seen your question, even though it was first posted on Tuesday.

So to concur with everybody else, ask away, but don't be dis-heartened if you have to wait a while for it to be answered.

I have a question for you, how long have you had your XJ?

Ride safe my friend.

 

smurf667, The 1985 XJ was given to me by my son. He bought it about 17 years ago and stopped riding it two years ago because of a new family, etc. It's in pretty good shape, just needs some cosmetic work.

I have taken your advice and fill out my profile.

 

Have you checked the back brake for delamination yet? if not check this as soon as poss www.xjbikes.com/Forums...15874.html your life depends on it

 

"1919 Indian PowerPlus 1000 (95% restored)"


OH OH OH!!!!! THIS is why we have an "other motorcycles" section!

We would all LOVE to see some pics of this one!

 

In answer to your original question; as Carl pointed out, these bikes all utilize 7/8" diameter bars. He was also correct in that there are other dimensions to be concerned with as well.

Grips come in different lengths as well as different "bigger IDs" on the throttle barrel side. The stock Yamaha throttle barrel has lugs cast onto the end and ridges cast along its length, to engage molded-in pockets and channels in the grip. Most aftermarket grips are simply smooth on the inside; so some minor "Dremel surgery" will be required to smooth off all the protruberances on the throttle barrel. The grip for the right side needs to be an appropriate size to fit the throttle barrel.

I don't remember the exact dimensions of the stock grips, but I can measure (or look up) that info when I get home and post it for you.

 

HANDLEBAR GRIPS:

hb23) OEM and aftermarket HANDLEBAR GRIPS restore that like-new feel to your steering, and gives your bike that "brand-new" look.

All original replacement OEM grips use a soft textured rubber pattern that is identical to the original pattern used, and the right side grip includes the plastic throttle tube.

Aftermarket grips come in a variety of textures and styles as described below, and all are packaged as matched right and left sets. The right grip does not include the throttle tube, and your original tube must be re-used and typically must be modified to accept the replacement grip (the raised nibs on the outer end of the tube will need to be shaved down flat).


Besides being more comfortable and, depending on the style selected, more colorful!-----aftermarket grips are available in a variety of different lengths. Stock lengths for original grips are listed below, and the length of the grip determines how far "onto" (length-wise) that the handlebar disappears into the grip inner tube----which also determines, on some models, the placement of the control switches, the master cylinder, and the clutch lever perch. On many models it is possible to use "deeper" (longer) grips than original; it will require either that the switches, etc. be pushed further "inward" on the handlebars (if possible and desired), or, that the grip is not fully driven onto the handlebar. Since the differences in length are rarely over 1/2", the lack of the handlebar being embedded fully into the grip for that short of a distance make no real meaningful difference in performance, although the unsupported part of the grip may feel a little "loose" . Longer grips are sometime preferred by people with extra-large sized hands.

NOTE: if you intend to use the type of bar-end mirrors whose mounting post fits inside of the end of the handlebar tube, be aware that the ends of the grips (original or aftermarket) must be removed so that the mirror clamp can fit inside the handlebar, or, the grips listed below which have "open ends" should be used.


Original Handlebar Grip Depths:

These measurements are the total depth inside the original grip tubes, and thus determined the "fully-flush" distance that the inner end of the grip will be occupy from the end of the handlebar. You can use these measurements to compare against any possible fitment (overhang) issues when using aftermarket grips. Note that less than 5mm (less than 1/4") of difference will not be noticeable, at all, while differences of 10mm or more can be, and differences of 20mm or greater are generally not recommended.

Original grips with a 121mm tube depth (4-3/4"):

XJ550 all models left and right sides
XJ650 all models (except Turbo) left and right sides
XJ650 Turbo right side
1982-83 XJ750 Maxim and Midnight Maxim right side
1981 XJ750 Seca on and before frame number 002949, right side


Original grips with a 124mm tube depth (4-7/8"):

XJ650 Turbo left side
1982-83 XJ750 Maxim and Midnight Maxim left side
1981 XJ750 Seca on and before frame number 002949, left side


Original grips with a 130mm tube depth (5-1/8"):

1981 XJ750 Seca after frame number 002949, left side and right side
1982-3 XJ750 Seca left side and right side
XJ1100 left side and right side


Original grips with a 134mm tube depth (5-1/4"):

XJ900RK left side and right side


Original grips with a 136mm tube depth (5-3/8"):

XJ700 all models left side and right side
XJ750-X all models left side and right side
NOTE: the above models also use a separate chrome end cap that extends the overall outer length of the grip + cap to 140mm



The installation of a new grip (original or aftermarket) is pretty straight-forward: you cut (with a sharp razor blade, x-acto knife, etc.) the old grips off----VERY CAREFULLY on the right side, so as to not damage the plastic throttle tube that is underneath it!----and then clean off all the old goo, adhesive, or debris from the handlebar itself (on the left side) or the plastic throttle tube (on the right side), and then lube up (silicone spray, etc.) the new ones and gently pound them into place!

If you want to add a little adhesive to the left side grip, the best product to use is an aerosol hair spray, it remains slick for a moment or two and then dries very sticky!


A couple of thoughts to consider when purchasing grips:

a) original or aftermarket rubber grips will have the longest life.

b) aftermarket foam grips can be quite comfortable, and will reduce vibration-induced "numbness" of the hands that can occur on longer rides; however, the foam tends to deteriorate after a few years, especially if the bike is left outside or in the weather.

c) CLOSED END grips have their ends closed off (similar to the stock grips on all models except XJ700's and XJ900's, which used OPEN-END grips along with DECORATIVE END CAPS to "tidy-up" their open ends). These grips can have their ends "opened" with the careful use of a razor knife, etc. After such surgery, decorative end caps or bar-end mirrors can be used with these style grips.

d) OPEN-END grips have their ends open (similar to the stock grips used on XJ700's and XJ900's) and traditionally are used with DECORATIVE END CAPS to "tidy-up" their open ends, or with bar-end mirrors.

e) some handlebars have internal "end weights" installed in them that must be removed before any decorative end caps (or post-type bar-end mirrors) can be used. If the ends of your handlebars are not "hollow", then some type of efforts will need to be made to remove or otherwise allow an adequate amount of entry depth into the ends of the handlebars (about 2-3" or so) before decorative end caps or bar-end mirrors can be used.

f) most aftermarket grips can present a challenge to install on the right side throttle tube............it can be an extremely tight fit. The original plastic throttle tube must be re-used, and typically must be modified to accept the replacement grip (the raised nibs on the outer end of the tube will need to be shaved down flat). A coating with some type of silicone spray or a smear of dishwashing liquid soap makes a good lubricant to allow the grip to be installed more easily.

g) although they look (and feel) very nice, be aware that any aftermarket grips that have leather inserts will tend to be extremely slippery when wet, and therefore may present possible safety issues.

 

Thanks chacal for posting all that info for replacements. The grips on both my XJ700's have deteriorated to embarrassing states and it's good to know what to look for.

 

One thing to consider about "views" is the fact of how many visitors are on line that cannot post because they are not members. As I post this there are 4 other members and 37 visitors on line. So a post will always have many views. Of course, one must consider that someone will have to "view" the question to know if they are knowledgeable enough to answer it if they are a member. And since this is a free and open forum, no person is paid to answer any questions. Maybe this will help you next time.. http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=42113.html

 

kingston i also echco what bluesbas said i look on this forum quite a lot during a day so also miss loads of posts but the help on this forum is priceless P.S. i no for a fact you will not walk into a motorcycle shop garage and hit the mechanic withloads of questions and answers for free [if you get my drift] this is the place to be for every thing our bikes related
oh and not forgetting chacal top right of this web page for parts :wink:

 

Umm, guys-- this thread is a year and a half old, and it got dug up because somebody thanked chacal for the info he posted (at the time.)

 

Was just about to post this, lol

 

Now I'll dig it up again and ask if anyone knows the OUTSIDE diameter of the stock grips on an '83 xj900 seca? For the purposes of ordering a crampsaver. Thanks