Hand Grips

Bought new OEM hand grips for my 1982 KZ1000J. Do I need to use glue on the left one? I haven't tried putting it on yet to see how tight it is. Thanks.

You should use grip lock or contact cement.
Steve

Stop by a motorcycle shop and pick up a small tube of handlebar grip adhesive. There are several companies, such as Motion Pro, Scott, etc., that make it. A tube costs about $3. Ed

Before resorting to glue, would try cleaning both the bar and inside grip with household rubbing alcohol, and then using the alcohol as a medium to slide the grip onto the handlebar (or throttle tube). Allow to dry before using.
Probably depends somewhat on the particular grip being fitted. But I just clean the bar and grip, then use air pressure with cone nozzle to quickly fit the grip on to handlebar and throttle tube. Grips stays firmly in position, and zero slippage.

Another possibility, as opposed to glue, is hairspray applied to clean bar and grip interior, and slide grip into position before the hairspray dries. Then allow to dry before using.

I have never resorted to using glue. What a mess. And difficult to remove.

My brand new Z1's and KZ900 came from the factory without any glue to hold on the grips, and the stock grips without any glue held on just fine, and never posed an issue.

YMMV with whatever aftermarket grips are being fitted.

Good Fortune!

Grip glue works, so does petrol if you're quick with getting the grip on.

Appreciate your help. Will try it without glue and then get some grip glue if it isn't secure.

Patton wrote: ......
I have never resorted to using glue. What a mess. And difficult to remove.

What a mess? I suspect you tried putting the adhesive on the bar rather than a thin coat inside the grip. If you put a thin coat inside the grip and then slide the grip on there really is no mess at all. Difficult to remove? Yes indeed, but isn't making sure the grip stays put the reason for the adhesive? Ed

When I used to ride MX I had a grip come off whilst in the air, I used grip glue on MX bikes after that.

I think it depends on the material used. Mine kept sliding off and the throttle would slip while riding. No fun. I tried grip lock but it didn't work at first. I cleaned the bar and grip with alcohol and now they stay put.
Steve

I've never had to use glue to keep grips on a bike but I have used safety wire on a track bike.

Patton wrote: Before resorting to glue, would try cleaning both the bar and inside grip with household rubbing alcohol, and then using the alcohol as a medium to slide the grip onto the handlebar (or throttle tube). Allow to dry before using.
Probably depends somewhat on the particular grip being fitted. But I just clean the bar and grip, then use air pressure with cone nozzle to quickly fit the grip on to handlebar and throttle tube. Grips stays firmly in position, and zero slippage.

Another possibility, as opposed to glue, is hairspray applied to clean bar and grip interior, and slide grip into position before the hairspray dries. Then allow to dry before using.

I have never resorted to using glue. What a mess. And difficult to remove.

My brand new Z1's and KZ900 came from the factory without any glue to hold on the grips, and the stock grips without any glue held on just fine, and never posed an issue.

YMMV with whatever aftermarket grips are being fitted.

Good Fortune!

Removing the clutch perch on a large Kaw four entails sliding it off the end of the handlebar. Which necessitates first removing the grip. Whether this applies to other models, I don't know.
A glued on grip is destroyed incident to its removal. :pinch:
A non-glued on grip can be repeatedly removed and reinstalled for continued use. The air pressure via rubber cone nozzle is very fast and easy, both to remove and to reinstall a non-glued-on grip.

Part of the mess is in getting the old dried glue off the handlebar.
A single edge razor blade will usually suffice for those who enjoy that sort of thing.

The stock fitment without glue has worked just fine for me all these years. Including the aftermarket grips I happen to prefer.

The only bike I used grip glue on was a shovelhead Harley dresser where the grip would steadily slip toward coming off the handlebar. Harley makes a really good strong grip glue. Others use super-glue, Gorilla glue, and all sorts of other whatever glue.

Then again, glue-sellers gotta eat too.

And rumor has it that some of the glues sniff pretty good. :ohmy:

Good Fortune!

Patton wrote: Before resorting to glue, would try cleaning both the bar and inside grip with household rubbing alcohol, and then using the alcohol as a medium to slide the grip onto the handlebar (or throttle tube). Allow to dry before using.
Probably depends somewhat on the particular grip being fitted. But I just clean the bar and grip, then use air pressure with cone nozzle to quickly fit the grip on to handlebar and throttle tube. Grips stays firmly in position, and zero slippage.

Another possibility, as opposed to glue, is hairspray applied to clean bar and grip interior, and slide grip into position before the hairspray dries. Then allow to dry before using.

I have never resorted to using glue. What a mess. And difficult to remove.

My brand new Z1's and KZ900 came from the factory without any glue to hold on the grips, and the stock grips without any glue held on just fine, and never posed an issue.

YMMV with whatever aftermarket grips are being fitted.

Good Fortune!

+ 1 , never ever used glue on grips, used hairspray for over 30 years and it works a treat. Clean all surfaces well first...