Grip detereioration/replace?

The foam "comfort grip" had deteriorated to the point
that I had to just pull the foam off. Can the foam be
had anymore to fix these? I assume this was a factory
set with the Yamaha end caps..? I dunno, Maybe not.
At any rate, Wanted to check in with you good folks.
Thanks so much!

 

Nope, those are aftermarket grips (Foam-and-Chrome). Stock factory grips are textured all-rubber. The foam style are much more comfortable (especially for long trips), but the stock type provide a bit more "grip" and control.

We do carry bothy styles in stock, drop us an e-mail or PM for details.

 

Thank ya' chacal!
Yes sir, If I had my choice... I'd like to go back
to factory style grips. Seems like the foam is
askin' for trouble. .02
PM on it's way buddy, Thanks!!! 8)

 

I just peeled more foam off mine too! I have the same ones. I'm gonna run to Iron Pony to get some new soon.
Are these 7/8" or 1"? mine slip as it is anyway so guess im gonna get some grip glue too.

 

You have 7/8" bars.

MANY different styles and types of grips are available; those foam and chrome things were not stock as chacal pointed out.

The stock grips, however, tend to be a bit on the hard side, and quite small in diameter for anyone with large meaty American paws.

One thing you need to be aware of: The stock throttle barrel has a series of ridges down it and lugs on the end that engage corresponding grooves and pockets molded into the inside of the factory grip. If you do switch to aftermarket grips, you'll need to take a Dremel to the ridges and lugs. The ridges don't get in the way as much as the lugs do, those gotta go.

 

These are nice.

Make a Solution out of Mouth Wash and Dish Soap.
Coat the Throttle Grip and the Inside of the New Grip
Work the New Grip on while the Solution acts as a lubricant.

When it dries; it acts as an adhesive.

 

bigfitz52, I saw your Napoleon bar end mirrors. Wat did you have to do to put them on? Do they have to be 7/8" or 1". to fit my 650 maxim. Or it makes no difference.

 

Our bikes have 7/8" bars.

To put them (or any bar-end mirrors) on, you have to cut out the end of the grips, since they slide into the ends of the bars.

I took an X-Acto knife with a brand new blade, and plunged it into the center of the grip, the cut outward until I hit the inside of the bar; then simply ran the blade around using the end of the bar as a guide.

Remember the throttle barrel I mentioned above? The end of that is "blind" with just a small hole in it, so that needs to be opened up as well (if you're not replacing it.) The Napoleans work by compressing a keyed rubber plug, causing it to expand in the bar.

As a finishing touch, I used a couple of handlebar-clamp bolt caps secured with a dollop of black RTV in the head of the Napolean's mounting bolts once I had them all adjusted.

 

bigfitz52, thanks for all the info. I'm thinking of getting one. I'm too tall and getting tired of dropping the shoulder every time I want to look back behind me. They are a bit more expensive, but I like them. LOL

 

Meant to get back here and show
an update... Had a good friend of
mine do up some leather grips for
me and they turned out right. Just
a quick cell pic of the new leather
grips on the XJ. 8)

 

Nice touch XJ511. How do they feel?

 

Perfect bro, PERFECT..! 8)
The guy did a fantastic job and they look
just some of that sharp!!!
Thank ya' sir!

 

I,ve always used hairspray to put new grips on. It lubricates the bar well when wet, and adheres strongly when dried.

cheers , Murray

 

When I changed the bars to Superbike bars, I also changed the grips to gel grips. Most gel grips will have knockouts on the ends for bar-end mirrors. The gel grips are great.