Getting grips off 'Fire series bars?

Mean Green · Post by **Mean Green** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 11:39 pm

Anybody have a good way to remove the grips from the handlebars? I was going to do it like a motorcycle grip and put the pressurized air to it, but can't get my air chuck between the grip and bar to get it started. Also, were the tunnels on the 81 up sleds polished from the factory, or just extruded aluminum. I've noticed everyones restorations have the tunnels polished like chrome. Thanks in advance. Tracy

Post by **ICCSF 108** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:33 am

Have some one hold there finger over the hole on the grip on the opposite side, Put your air chuck in the hole of the grip on the side you want off & give it a shot of air while pulling off on the grip, this should work unless you have handle bar heaters inside the bar or someone has glued the grip on.
Good luck

Ken

Mean Green · Post by **Mean Green** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:40 am

Wow! Thanks for the informed replies. I will try my air nozzle as I have a snap-on one with the long snout and trigger. Great info on the tunnel as I was trying to restore my '81 LF to Original, not going by by what I thought. The more information I gather on these the more valuable it becomes to me as a truly prized posession. Thanks (again) Fellahs!!

Tracy

JDXsand00s · Post by **JDXsand00s** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:13 am

if you don't care how the grips look then a pair of channel locks will do the trick, thats how i got them off of my spit when i installed handlebar heaters.

79 Deere · Post by **79 Deere** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 7:19 pm

personally I like the tunnel polished.When I started restoring my 80 Trailfire I had to make a decision on what to do - strip and polish or repaint?I chose to strip and polish for the fact the paint would wear off eventually from getting on and off unless your sled was intended to be a trailer queen.I also stripped and polished the tunnel because I have two Kawi Invaders, which came stock that way and it just makes the sleds stand out more.That is my two cents worth of info , it is what you personally like.

Rodimus Prime · Post by **Rodimus Prime** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:57 pm

if you want to save the grips the best way i have found is to take a blunted and not sharp in any way piece of coat hanger i work in under the grip once around if i can then i spray a little oil (rust check, wd 40 or simular) before i pull out coat hanger the grips then come off cleanly and easily this even works with handle bar heaters.

clean inside of grip with something to remove oil before putting back on.. acetone works great if used on a cloth or brush and blow out .. other wise acetone can melt the handle.

to install i use dish soap and leave sit in sun for days. or you can heat the area of handle bars with a small heater for days (car heaters, electric bbq, etc.)

Mean Green · Post by **Mean Green** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 3:15 am

Thanks Rodimus, I tried the air compressor though and it worked like a charm. Two man operation though as I had my girl hold her finger over the hole on one side, while I put the air to it and pulled on the other side. Afterwards we rewarded ourselves with cocktails and celebrated under the flourecent glow in the garage...