TOPIC:

The grips on my '791000LTD/B3 need replacing and I want to go back to OE. My question is, are the grips, left and right, the same size? I don't need a new throttle tube and don't want to spend the extra $45 when I can just install a OE left side grip over the throttle tube. It's been a long time since I replaced grips and I don't think I've ever used OE as replacements so I'm requesting help from the members here that have experience with this. Thanks for any help.

They are different size. LH is 7/8”. RH is 1”

I think aftermarket are both 1”. They come with a sleeve that slides over the LH to make it the same as the throttle tube.

Here's a RH grip that doesn't include the throttle tube. $36 + sh.

Kawasaki RH grip



 

I think the right always was always a part that was including the tube, and the left was just the bare grip. This was always fine with me. Removing old grip from the tube was a bunch of crap to put it mildly, but expecting glue to adhere the new grip to the tube was a word not fit to post. Just buy the left grip, and right grip/tube and enjoy without the twisting of grip on the tube that happens every time otherwise.

Not sure how far back they go but back to the early 90s MX bikes Kawasaki vulcanized (or something) the throttle grip to the tube.  When the OE grip wore out you had to buy an aftermarket tube.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and helpful info. Especially the info gleaned from martin_csr's post with the link to the feebay listing that included the part number(46061-018) for the elusive part. Partzilla doesn't show the grip and throttle tube as separate part numbers but, it's a common part number to several '74-'80 KZ400/440 models and show it as a separate item or as a throttle tube/grip assembly. A quick search showed the part available for about $20 shipped on the auction site. It should arrive by Friday.

Once again, thanks to all who contributed.