How to Put New Grips on a Harley Motorcycle

The grips on your Harley make a huge difference in the comfort and quality of your ride.

The handlebar grips on your Harley are a small but important part of riding your motorcycle. Having good handlebar grips means less wrist fatigue, less throttle slip, more confident leans and turns and more overall comfort. If your grips are getting old and tattered or have even started to dry-rot, they need to be replaced. New handlebar grips are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Handlebar grips
• Handlebar grip adhesive
• Compressed air

1. • 1

     Remove any handlebar end weights from your handlebars. Most simply require a Phillips-head screwdriver to unscrew. If yours do not, refer to your owner's manual to determine the correct method by which to remove them.

   • 2

     Insert the straw into the nozzle of a can of compressed air. Insert the other end of the straw between the left handlebar grip and the handlebar. Press the nozzle of the compressed air with one hand to release a burst of air. This should loosen the grip, so you can slide the grip off the handlebar with the other.

   • 3

     Insert the end of the compressed air nozzle straw between the right side handlebar grip and the throttle sleeve. Press the nozzle to release air, loosening the grip. Twist the grip clockwise to slide it from the throttle sleeve.

   • 4

     Apply a liberal amount of handlebar grip adhesive to the left end of the handlebars. Slide the new left side handlebar grip (the grip with the smaller opening) onto the handlebar. Apply handlebar adhesive to the throttle sleeve and slide the right side handlebar grip into place over the sleeve. Allow one hour for the adhesive to set.

   • 5

     Reattach any handlebar weights or bar end caps removed previously. When the grip adhesive has set fully (you should not be able to twist the left side handlebar grip at all), take the bike out for a test ride and see how the new grips fit.