Modern Buddy

Hoping someone could give me some advice.

I bought these grips for my scooter: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0068O ... 00_s00_i00

I read the forums and was able to get the original grips off super easy by using the lift with a thin screw driver, WD40, and wiggle method. However, now I can't get the new grips on. I started with the left grip and cleaned the handle bar tube first. I then coated the new grips with with windex and tried sliding it in but it got stuck 1/4 way through. I cleaned the grip and tried WD40 this time. It got a little more than 1/2 way before it got stuck. I tried pulling a little at the front and then pushing a little at the end. After several minutes I really don't see any more improvement. I decided to give up for the night since I now have a blister on my left thumb from trying to coax that grip up. I'll try again tomorrow but I'm getting pretty frustrated. I don't even want to think about trying the throttle side yet. What am I doing wrong? BTW the grips feel awesome!

I took the advice of someone else on this board and used hairspray to put on a new grip. It worked perfectly. I just sprayed a bunch inside of the grip and it slid right on. It's now on very solid because of the stickiness of the hairspray.

I will pick up some hairspray tomorrow and try that. Thanks 4'10er! I find that when I get frustrated, walking away and coming back at a later time usually helps me find a solution or at least get through my dilemma. Hopefully this will one of those cases.

Demo_Nic wrote:I will pick up some hairspray tomorrow and try that.

I use hairspray for just about everything except my hair. It's handy stuff to have around.

Demo_Nic wrote:Thanks 4'10er!

A new nickname - I like that!

Demo_Nic wrote:I find that when I get frustrated, walking away and coming back at a later time usually helps me find a solution or at least get through my dilemma. Hopefully this will one of those cases.

Me too. Walking away and coming back fresh later on is sometimes the best way to solve a dilemma. Good luck!

Demo_Nic wrote:I bought these grips for my scooter: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0068O ... 00_s00_i00

Nice looking grips.

You'll have to post pictures on the thread here to show us how they look on your scooter when you're all done....maybe even get a shot of your "Scooter Dork" sticker in there.

Definitely! I'm waiting on the seat to come in also before I post pics.

A razor blade makes quick work of the old ones. Hairspray works. You can also use spray paint for a tighter grip to the bars.

If you have access to an air compressor with a blower nozzle, the absolute easiest way to install new grips on any scooter or motorcycle (as long as they are not closed ended grips) is to attach a ball inflation needle to the blower nozzle and slip it under the grip. Squeeze the trigger while pushing the grip on and it goes right on. No lubrication needed. It also works equally well for removing grips. I've never had to slice a pair of grips. However, in retrospect, the Buddy's grips might be challenging to remove that way since they're thick an not very pliable. Probably still doable, though.

With that in mind, I'll amend my claim. This method works wonders for any pliable grips such as gel grips; and really, is there any point in using another type?

Demo_Nic wrote:Definitely! I'm waiting on the seat to come in also before I post pics.

love the grips! what seat are you getting?

use a air compressor air tool to shoot the grip on. Always use grip glue. Do not just use hair spray. If you get caught in the rain hairspray will come loose in a jiffy. Grip glue is like an epoxy and will grip a lot better, no pun intended

I don't have an air compressor. The original grips came off really easy, it's getting the new ones on I'm having difficulty with. I tried WD 40 but that only helped a little.

Batgirl my seat arrives on Monday. Here are some pictures Diamond Upholstery sent me:

ThreeSheets wrote:Do not just use hair spray. If you get caught in the rain hairspray will come loose in a jiffy.

I don't think that hairspray is a problem in the rain unless the grips you're installing are particularly porous. I'll grant that I haven't had my hairspray grip on for very long, but I've already had it out in quite a bit of rain (I'm in Portland, after all) and it hasn't budged an inch. I think you'd have to be pretty much submerged for enough water to get in there to loosen it, at which point, your grip coming off would be the least of your worries.

Hehehe well I live in SoCal so we have all year riding weather. It doesn't rain that often and when it does, I'd probably won't ride. Californian's can't drive in rain for crap and I'm always leary in a car so on the scooter would not even be an option for me.

Demo_Nic wrote:Hehehe well I live in SoCal so we have all year riding weather. It doesn't rain that often and when it does, I'd probably won't ride. Californian's can't drive in rain for crap and I'm always leary in a car so on the scooter would not even be an option for me.

But you could wind up submerged, given the number of swimming pools that are present there. If that happens, you should quickly recover the hairspray grip before it floats away.

Yes but my seat has air floatation built in. ;p

Demo_Nic wrote:I don't have an air compressor. The original grips came off really easy, it's getting the new ones on I'm having difficulty with. I tried WD 40 but that only helped a little.

Batgirl my seat arrives on Monday. Here are some pictures Diamond Upholstery sent me:

grips and seat match--nice pairing!

I cut my stock grips off with a razor blade and installed the new gel grips with aquanet hairspray and the whole thing took less than 5 minutes. . . Hang in there! You'll love the new grips. Those stock ones are not very kind on the hands!
Great seat too!