One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Topics related to the ownership, maintenance, equipping, operation, and riding of the R1150R.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
macx
Basic User
Posts: 912
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:50 pm
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Cape Girardeau, MO

One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Post by macx »

WONDERFUL addition!

I had read about lubing them up so they'd slide on - I think I read one post about
using WD.

Well, being "somewhat overly detailed" in my reasoning at times, I got to thinking
that WD is actually a penetrant and therefore somewhat like a solvent rather than
an actual lubricant, and didn't want to dissolve my nice new foam sleeves.

So got out the Pam cooking spray - wow, slid right on!

Now for the setbacks.
User avatar
snowprick
Lifer
Posts: 397
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:33 am
Donating Member #: 3953
Location: Manila, Philippines

Re: One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Post by snowprick »

"Now for the setbacks"

They slid off at the traffic signals and you bit the bar? :cry:
Rod
2001 R1150R Black of course (sold)
2009 F800GS Black & yellow of course
Apple Macintosh
User avatar
riceburner
Basic User
Posts: 3809
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:54 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Hiding in your blind spot....
Contact:

Re: One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Post by riceburner »

macx wrote:WONDERFUL addition!

I had read about lubing them up so they'd slide on - I think I read one post about
using WD.

Well, being "somewhat overly detailed" in my reasoning at times, I got to thinking
that WD is actually a penetrant and therefore somewhat like a solvent rather than
an actual lubricant, and didn't want to dissolve my nice new foam sleeves.

So got out the Pam cooking spray - wow, slid right on!

Now for the setbacks.

BAD idea. :(

the best thing to use is hairspray (oddly enough).

The idea is that whatever you use is a lubricant for a BRIEF period of time, to allow you to slide the grips on, then turns into a GLUE to stick the grips to the metal of the bars.

Cooking spray will be a permanent lubricant - I bet you can still rotate the grips on the bars. :(:(

As said - hairspray (or a very, VERY fine dab of washing up liquid - it dries into a sticky substance) are the ONLY things to use. That said - my normal method (to be honest) is a few drops of spit!
Non quod, sed quomodo.

A Rockster Life
Buckster
Lifer
Posts: 1189
Joined: Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:53 pm
Donating Member #: 543
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Post by Buckster »

I absolutetly love my foam grips! I wished I would have bought the right size though. I used hot soapy water and that was not enough...had to use a liberal amount of WD which worked. I almost knocked the bike over and about a half hour to get on.

Buy the large size if you get them from Beemerboneyard!
Buckster '03R
#543
User avatar
Photoguy
Basic User
Posts: 414
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:29 pm
Donating Member #: 678
Location: Boston

Re: One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Post by Photoguy »

In the off-road world, Renthal grip glue (acts as a lubricant until it sets up) or hair spray/WD and safety wire is the way to go. I'd be a little concerned about cooking oil spray not fully evaporating leaving the grips free to twist under any force.
macx
Basic User
Posts: 912
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:50 pm
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Cape Girardeau, MO

Re: One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Post by macx »

I'm sure those are valid concerns - but I of course had to take a ride the next
day when the mercury finally peeked above 50.

Drove several miles thru towns and about 40+ on various 2 lanes with a number of
stops etc, and of course included a few forays into bursts of speed somewhat over
the legal limit :-)

Nary a problem! No slip at all. Maybe I just used the right brand :-)

I got both of them on in under 5 minutes - only problem at all was the leading
edge of the sleeve rolling under a little when it went over the bar end.
As soon as I saw that was happening, I stopped and "retrieved" it and the
sleeves then went on quite easily. I did think to test them to see if there
was any slip, and even gripping quite firmly I couldn't get either one to slip.

Even cooking oil will eventually dry, and when you consider the amount of surface area
contact between the entire inside of the sleeve and the handgrip, coupled with
the snug fit, well - if you have to turn the throttle hard enuf to make it slip
you maybe need a bigger motor ?

Just for my own curiosity I tried starting one over the bar end without anything
and saw it was going to be nearly impossible without maybe even tearing up
the sleeve.

Just my own experience, not saying it's the best way, just that it worked great for me.
OU812
Lifer
Posts: 2788
Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 7:15 pm
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Buffalo Grove IL Chi Town Sub.

Re: One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Post by OU812 »

Hairspray for sure. =D>
Used it many times on the dirt bikes. I replaced many grips form the many falls incurred. #-o
Last edited by OU812 on Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
RIDE TOO PRETEND, PRETEND TOO RIDE. :)
89 Oldwing, 07 WR250R, 14 KX250F
User avatar
riceburner
Basic User
Posts: 3809
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:54 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Hiding in your blind spot....
Contact:

Re: One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Post by riceburner »

macx wrote:
Even cooking oil will eventually dry, and when you consider the amount of surface area
contact between the entire inside of the sleeve and the handgrip, coupled with
the snug fit, well - if you have to turn the throttle hard enuf to make it slip
you maybe need a bigger motor ?.

More a case of pulling the bike up off the side stand, or from a low speed spill, and the grip coming off the bar - leaving your bike to go back down on the ground with another thump!!
Non quod, sed quomodo.

A Rockster Life
User avatar
Beaze
Basic User
Posts: 102
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:30 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: VA

Re: One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Post by Beaze »

Make like a happytime star and spit inside those new grips like you're a Llama. Spit dries up and no slippage, or just use rubber cement, no expansion when it dries and it sticks like hell. I prefer the rubber cement so you don't have to worry about the grips rotating and sliding off the bars...
harrisphil
Basic User
Posts: 45
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:45 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Sheffield England

Re: One small improvement at a time - this one was foam grips

Post by harrisphil »

just to add my tip
I put the grips on with spraypaint
same idea but not being a girl i dont have hairspray!!! :-)
Post Reply