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I'm putting heated grips on my VTX and the throttle grip diameter is a good 1/16" bigger than the plastic throttle tube. I tried using Gorilla instant contact cement because it is supposed to expand but it didn't work at all.
Now I'm thinking some kind of construction adhesive or maybe an epoxy to hold but also fill the gap but I'm not sure what to go with. So I thought I'd see if anyone has faced a similar dilemma.
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I have in the past "soaked" some fabric (think like J-cloth-like material) in adhesive and wrapped around the handlebar tube and then slipped on the grip. It worked. However, when it comes time to replace the grip, be prepared for some extra elbow grease effort. Also think about the compatibility of the adhesive with the grip - that is, ensure it won't melt the grip from the inside and make it gooey.
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Interesting idea GO. What type of adhesive did you use and was it a two step process? The cloth wrap first, let it dry and then the grip or all at once?
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Heh, I somewhat recall: I located a meshy-like sheet material (drywall fiberglass tape?) that was porous to allow adhesive to flow between the handlebar and inside of the grip. I wrapped it tightly around the bar enough times to make-up the gap. I applied enough adhesive and slid the grip on and allowed it to set overnight. By the following midday the grip was firm and ready to use. My grips were not heated. I think I used general purpose "Goop".
Your mileage may vary, and your choice of adhesive/wrapping material might be better. Ensure whatever glue you choose that it won't react and melt the grip.
Also, and depending on your material, you may need to consider anchoring down maybe with a little string or thin wire because as you slide the grips on, you want to avoid the material from binding and wrinkling-up inside the grip.
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I think its weird that there is even a gap. Last pair of Oxford heated grips i had, I had to coerece them on with a rubber mallet
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These are BikeMaster. The left grip fits perfectly. I guess throttle tubes can vary and they need to account for different sizes.
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Ended up using drywall web tape and JB Weld plastic bonder. The web tape is self adhesive so I wrapped the throttle with that first then coated the inside of the grip with the plastic bonder and slid it on. Was dry within a couple of hours and worked great. Thanks for the inspiration GO!
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(11-29-2019, 01:34 PM)KiowaEagle_imp Wrote: Ended up using drywall web tape and JB Weld plastic bonder. The web tape is self adhesive so I wrapped the throttle with that first then coated the inside of the grip with the plastic bonder and slid it on. Was dry within a couple of hours and worked great. Thanks for the inspiration GO!
Hey, alright KE. Yes, the drywall web tape is the stuff I used.
Hopefully you won't need to deal with replacing the grips in a long time.
