Safety Wiring Grips

[2strokeYardSale]

Explain your technique to finish the ends so as to:

• not have a protruding wire puncture the gripping hand/fingers
• not have a lumpy knot of twisted safety wire
• not create slack in the loop thus negating the point of the wire

I use Renthal full diamond slim grips and there is precious little grip material to push the end back into the grip.

 

[thedub]

My trick to not letting slack into the loop is to do two wraps. The second wrap keeps the first wrap tight while you twist the wire. I use the thinner wire.

To finish, I use tiny needle nose pliers to curl the wire while simultaneously digging the end into the rubber. Then I use the side of the pliers to push the whole pigtail tight into the rubber.

 

[stangmx13]

i put a small bend in the twisty end so that the sharp part is actually pointing in to the rubber.

getting the wire actually tight is a pain in the ass, requiring 2 pliers so you can really pull on the wire for that first twist.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

The BLS method of removing and installing grips without destroying them or the
need for safety wire...

1)slip a rat tail comb under the grip...

2)position the end of the grip up hill so a trickle of alcohol will travel down the
length of the gap created by the comb...

3)remove comb and twist the grip to work the alcohol in between grip
and throttle barrel...

4)To install flood the inside of the grip with alcohol and quickly and firmly work
it on... employing this method I have never had to resort to safety wire to
secure my grips...

I prefer Spider Grips sold by Pitbull...

Spider Grips feature durable variable density elastomers, patent
pending shaped boundary layers with isolated secondary layers, energy
dispersing flanges, and a multi-faceted geometric surface area. Spider
Grips are manufactured in Taiwan and distributed by Pit Bull.

 

[thedub]

getting the wire actually tight is a pain in the ass, requiring 2 pliers so you can really pull on the wire for that first twist.

Yeah, I use a small pair of vice grips in addition to the safety wire pliers to pull the wire tight.

The BLS method of removing and installing grips without destroying them or the
need for safety wire...

1)slip a rat tail comb under the grip...

2)position the end of the grip up hill so a trickle of alcohol will travel down the
length of the gap created by the comb...

3)remove comb and twist the grip to work the alcohol in between grip
and throttle barrel...

4)To install flood the inside of the grip with alcohol and quickly and firmly work
it on... employing this method I have never had to resort to safety wire to
secure my grips...

I use compressed air, but same idea. I agree no need for safety wire on street bikes, mine never move. But for road race bikes and dirt bikes, the grips will start to twist and move while riding in the rain if water works it's way under the grip.

 

[stangmx13]

oh, I also loosen the bar and rotate it all so that I have easier access to the twist. I like putting the twists at the bottom of the grip, where your hand isnt pressing on it. but its a pain to use 2 pliers underneath the bar cuz of bodywork and stuff. so just rotate it all so that underneath is on top.

 

[ST Guy]

Busy has it. I would add, though, that the bar and throttle twist thingy be thoroughly cleaned with rubbing alcohol and a clean rag to remove all oils and other contaminants. And also thoroughly clean the inside of the grip you're installing. The grips are molded and besides mold release that stays on the inside of the grip, many rubbers and plastics outgas chemicals that can inhibit stick. Once the bars and the grips are super clean, install with the rubbing alcohol and make sure they're in their final position before you let it sit overnight so the alcohol can evaporate. Once on this way I have NEVER had a grip move on me and it can be a real bear to remove them without cutting them off. You end up using the natural stickiness/tackiness of the grip to keep it on the bar. And they DO stay. No wiring required. I've done this for years with Grab On's Comfort foam grips, my favorite grips.

 

[stangmx13]

theres no method that'll keep a grip on forever for track use. too much flex and heat. and when it starts to slip even a little mid-race, u realize u should have just wired it first.

 

[EastBayDave]

The BLS method of removing and installing grips without destroying them or the need for safety wire...

1)slip a rat tail comb under the grip...

2)position the end of the grip up hill so a trickle of alcohol will travel down the length of the gap created by the comb...

3)remove comb and twist the grip to work the alcohol in between grip
and throttle barrel...

4)To install flood the inside of the grip with alcohol and quickly and firmly work it on... employing this method I have never had to resort to safety wire to secure my grips...

always preferred this method, but I used "Gorilla Snot" for permanent mounting.

WHen due for a change, box cutter them off. Quick, easy. :grin:

 

[2strokeYardSale]

Ah, two loops and two wrenches, that's the ticket.

I'm going to switch to lock-on grips on my dirt bikes, except maybe my trials bike which uses special grip ends. I've got a stash of grips to use first with glue and wire.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

theres no method that'll keep a grip on forever for track use. too much flex and heat. and when it starts to slip even a little mid-race, u realize u should have just wired it first.

Maybe not for ever but they never slipped on my RC45 during track days at Laguna Seca... Thunder Hill...
Reno Fernley and during the H40 races...

If you're going to safety wire this video best describes the method I used with some of my race customers...

[youtube]4E5XHfmDPAk[/youtube]