Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories ISO Grips: I-SO-hate you!!!

Ok, so it started innocently enough. I just wanted to add the black ISO grips to my '07 America. Simple enough, right?...NOT!

(You'd better get a drink, this is a long one!)

I spent the last several months reading about this simple modification, which entailed: Removing the end weights, Removing the original grips with WD-40 and a long handle screwdriver; Shaving down all ridges on the throttle sleeve; Possibly cutting a spacer to makeup for the difference between the end of the handlebar and the end of the ISO grip; Rubbing on some glue on the handlebar and throttle sleeve, Twisting the grips as you put them on in the position you want them and; Squeezing them tight. The End. Here's what really happened:

I took the original grips off in less than 5 minutes! I shaved down the ridges with a razor blade, even, with the surface of the throttle sleeve, then I tried to test fit the throttle grip....it only went on an inch! "Huh, ok, I guess I have to sand down the grip," I thought to myself. So, I took out the orbital sander and went to town with 220 (nice and fine). After a few minutes I tried to put the grip on again....still, only an inch on! I took out the 120 sandpaper. Put it on the orbital and went to town. Then I switched to the 220 again to smooth it out and tried the grip...still, only and inch on! I did this several more times to the point that the throttle sleeve was now beginning to wear through in spots and still, only about an inch! I finally said, "I'm going to move onto something easier," the clutch side grip.

The clutch side slid on fine and I got it to where I wanted it, cut the spacer and got out the glue. I smeared the glue on the bar and slid the ISO on. At this point the rubber, making contact with the glue, bonded instantly to the handlebar, about half way on! I quickly pulled it off with all the strength I had and fixed the ISO rubber which was beginning to bond to itself where it had contacted the glue. Then I scraped all the glue off again and prepared for a second attempt; this time making sure not to squeeze the rubber as I slid the grip on. Again, the moment the rubber hit the glue, no matter how fast I slid, it bonded to the handlebar. This time I just kept jamming it on hoping it might look ok, twisting as hard as I could but not griping it because I didn't want it to bond until it got into position. I got it where I wanted it and it looked great! Back to the throttle side.

I've read several posts where people have used hair spray to attach grips. I didn't have hair spray, but I did have gel. I thought that the slipperiness of the gel would allow the new grip to slide over the now Swiss cheesed throttle sleeve. After several failed attempts it made it on, except for the last inch! Out came the hammer and a few whacks later, the ISO rubber closest to the switch housing began to pop out!!! So, I backed it off but I still couldn't get the rubber to fit back in. I got the brilliant idea of removing the throttle sleeve from the handlebar and pushing the rubber back. I figured this would allow some play without the handlebar on the other side of the sleeve as I pushed. The plan worked! Then, I went stupid and hit the new grip onto the sleeve with the hammer....I hit it so hard that the space between the innermost part of the grip and the throttle body (where the throttle cables go) was almost non existent. And what goes between the throttle cables and the innermost part of the grip?....if you said "the switch housing" you would be right! (have another beer) After several attempts I was able to wedge the switch housing in between the cables and the grip. Now the throttle isn't rubbing against the switch housing but it's not springing closed when it's released. I'll let the Triumph boys figure that one out for me tomorrow when I take the bike in for a new front tire. (That's another story)

So, bottom line, I don't know if anyone's had this problem before but this was with the Black ISOs 6340. Thanks for listening. THE END

P.S. The grips look great...I hope I like them!

Geeze man... I'm truly sorry you had to go through all that, I really am. I have ISOs too but didn't have to go through ANY of the hassles you did. The glue worked very well for me... enough time to slid on the grip and set it just right. And on the throttle side, the ISO had it's own throttle sleeve so it was just a matter of disconnecting the cables, taking the old grip off, slipping the ISO grip on and re-connecting the cables.

In the end you won the battle, but why it was a fight in the first place perplexes me.

I had a similar story with the throttle side. Had to sand it right down to about half the thickness with the dremmel. and then it was still a very tight fit. In fact I couldn't quite get it all the way on - it's about 1/4 inch from the switch housing - I gave up and I just live with it. I didn't use the glue supplied so I avoided your problem there.

Be Comforted for,verily, I spent 4 hours once with an angle grinder to make my new grips fit on my old BMW.
Al

I ordered "universal" 1" Iso grips that weren't "universal and had trouble.I sent them back.Got the specific Triumph ones and they went on with no problems.

If its on an America/Speedmaster you have the wrong grips.

Should be Kuryakyn Metric ISO Grips: 0630-0187

I got the Kuryakyn ISO-flame grips part #6262.

Note: Kuryakyn don't say this part will fit our Triumphs. They do say the #6236 will fit our bikes but the 6236 is the complete throttle sleeve grip which has prematurely broken for some on this forum.

I figured that because both the 6262 and the 6236 fit the Honda cruisers then the 6262 would also fit our bikes. I was wrong. The Honda cruisers must have a smaller diameter throttle sleeve. Still, they do fit with some modding.

Well, I'm happy to report the grips look great! (minus some extra glue on one of the pads.) Now, my next problem is the throttle won't return back to its closed position! That's right, I guess I have to take off the throttle sleeve, lube up the bar, and try and shave down the inner sleeve. (While trying to stay in the round.)

Also, to put all minds at ease. I spoke several times and have multiple emails from Kuryakyn confirming how to fit this model of grip and ensuring that this was the right grip for the bike. Please note, these are the Black ISOs (6340), which are universal and not available with a throttle sleeve. That would have made this mod way too easy.

This is exactly what I was worried about with the Black ISO's. If I had gone with them I was going to buy a spare throttle sleeve from pinwall on fleabay and modify that so I could keep my stock one.

I found Avon grips that came with their own sleeves and I actually liked them better. You can read about it here.

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...ge=3#Post510992

Good Luck!

Well, I got the new tire installed and had the dealer look at the grip. Aparently, this is the first Black ISO any of the technicians have seen! The problem I was having is related to the ISO grips themselves. According to them, this happens all the time and when an ISO grip doesn't go on with just a little effort they return it to Kuryakyn and open another one (must be nice). They've also seen the problem with the sticking throttle sleeve, due to the large ammount of rubber from the grip compressing it against the bar. Oh, and there's nothing they can do about it! Their recommendation was to buy some good lubricant and go to town or to try and widdle down the inside of the sleeve. Well, there you have it, from the professionals. They even removed the endcap to ensure the grip wasn't on too far.

They also lauged at the new glue that comes with the ISOs ("Black Widow" or something) because it bonds instantly if you stop or squeeze too hard on the rubber while installing the grips. They use rubber cement.

One last thing I noted, they don't remove the ribs closest to the switch housing (perpandicular to the bars) but use them as the "stop" for the new ISOs.

I hope this helps anyone that tries to install these in the future.

My throttle was tough to turn after the ISO install as well, it was because I readjusted the cables too tight, you check that?

Sorry, I forgot to say that the dealer tightened the cables to reduce the slop in the grips. (this was after my install) My problem (one of my problems) is the friction between the bar and the compressed throttle sleeve.

I do appreciate the suggestion, all. Thanks for giving me a place to vent!

Well, I spoke with Kuryakyn about the throttle sticking problem. They reiterated what the Triumph dealer said…if it doesn’t go on smoothly it’s probably a bad grip and that I should have sent it back! Lesson learned. They surmised that I removed too much of the sleeve material, weakening it to the point that the ISO rubber compressed the sleeve against the bar. I’m going to go to the dealer today, order a new sleeve and have them contact Kuryakyn to have a new throttle grip sent out. I won’t be charged for the new grip! If nothing else, I’m satisfied with the Kuryakyn customer service.

When I get the new grip and sleeve I’ll try and do the install again…with WD-40! I’ll keep you posted.

Wish me luck!

I think you hit the nail on the head ie. A bad grip and one of those one's that aren't quite right. I've never heard of problems like that before actually. Good to hear Kury have been good about it though. We all come across those supposed "simple" changes now and again. That's just one of those things.