best glue for left handlebar grip

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Dec 18, 2014
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681
Location
Oman
Bike
ST1100AY
I have a new throttle and left grip on its way, I will need to glue the left grip to the handlebar and was wondering what glue has been succesful for other people ?

Edit: I just saw the post that recomended hairspray and RTV gasket sealant , I have no hair so will go for the RTV option !
 
Gorilla glue. Doesn’t take much.

Decide if you want aftermarket grip heaters before you glue anything.
 
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I actually used Dawn dishwashing liquid- my grips were a bit of a bear to get on and I didn't want glue prematurely drying. The grips are nice and tight and don’t rotate on the handlebar
 
Electrical tape on bar,2 or 3wraps.Gasoline coating& slip on grip.wait 1/2 hour.works on dirt bikes where you torque the grip a lot more.CHEAP & EASY,every one has this stuff in the garage.
 
I actually used Dawn dishwashing liquid- my grips were a bit of a bear to get on and I didn't want glue prematurely drying. The grips are nice and tight and don’t rotate on the handlebar

Had that happen while sprucing up my newly purchased 1991. The throttle side went on normally. Left? New grip from Honda, cleaned the handlebar contact area with lacquer thinner. When dry, I applied the glue and it set with the grip just about 3/4 the way on. Took me the better part of the day to peel off the new grip with an exacto knife, then remove all the glue/rubber residue from the handlebar. I have never had any adhesive stick to the steel like that. Wish I remembered the brand name, I would pass that on.
 
We've always used hair spray. Bought the cheapest White Rain unscented. One can will last forever. It's slick going on, the vehicle flashes off, and the grips stay in place afterwards.
 
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Tried hair spray. Didn’t work This works ...Scott Grip Stick
Hair spray is basically lacquer and does not hold up to heat. HS failed on two bikes for me - it worked for about a year and then the heat from the grip must have broken the bond. Having read quite a few threads on this subject here and on stromtrooper.com, it seems most glues will not handle the heat. RTV sealant failed for me and other people.
I have a new throttle and left grip on its way, I will need to glue the left grip to the handlebar and was wondering what glue has been succesful for other people ?
Your best bet is a heat resistant glue. The bottom line, I think, is the fit of the grip on the handlebar without glue. If it is tight, then not much of a bond is needed because the new rubber will grab the bar with a fairly high coefficient of friction. If it is a loose fit, then you are depending on the glue alone to prevent rotation.

Plan the work ahead - check the position of the wire/cable exiting the grip and determine if it will interfere with the brake/clutch lever(s). Make sure you have sufficient slack before wire tying the throttle side to the rest of the cables. Clean the inside of the new grip and the handlebar, apply the glue of your choice, and go to it. RTV was quite slippery until it bonded for me (but it failed after using the heated grips).
 
Hair spray is basically lacquer and does not hold up to heat. HS failed on two bikes for me - it worked for about a year and then the heat from the grip must have broken the bond. Having read quite a few threads on this subject here and on stromtrooper.com, it seems most glues will not handle the heat. RTV sealant failed for me and other people.

Your best bet is a heat resistant glue. ......

...... RTV was quite slippery until it bonded for me (but it failed after using the heated grips).
One heated grip manufacturer I purchased from was very clear that heated grips require high temperature epoxy for the reason you refer to. I followed their instructions and had no problems.

Their instructions are in my post linked below.
That thread probably has all that you would want to know on the subject as well.

Grip Glue For Heated Grips Revisited
 
One heated grip manufacturer I purchased from was very clear that heated grips require high temperature epoxy for the reason you refer to. I followed their instructions and had no problems.

Heated grips (symtec under OEM grip style) on the ST13 for 6 years now, elmers plain old white glue.

Previously I always used hair spray, but this round I wanted a little longer 'working' time to get everything lined up.
 
Heated grips (symtec under OEM grip style) on the ST13 for 6 years now, elmers plain old white glue.

Previously I always used hair spray, but this round I wanted a little longer 'working' time to get everything lined up.
Recommendation is in relation to complete heated grips, not heating elements under unheated grips.

Unheated grips, such as OEM, already have a degree of interference fit with the handle bar. They are flexible and expand to install over the bar. The adhesive adds to and increases the bond between the two that is already there. Many people don't even bother using adhesive with unheated grips.

The heated grips that I have installed typically have a harder inside shell that contacts the bar. This is where the heating wires are housed. This harder inside shell is not flexible like unheated grips. Because they can not be expanded like unheated grips the inside diameter is sized to slide over the bar without a significant interference fit otherwise you would never be able to get them on without damaging them. Because they have less of an interference fit than non-heated grips they need the adhesive to keep them in place. This company recommends that be high temperature epoxy.
 
I have always used with 100% success a paint lacquer spray bomb, it takes a few hours to dry (I leave it overnight)
And squirt a little lacquer thinner when ready to change em, unless you just cut them off!
 
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