Yamaha OEM Heated Grip Removal Question for Super Tenere

[harmonj2]

As it has been stated previously in forum discussions, the left heated OEM grip does not produce as much heat as the right side due to insulation. I purchased heat shrink to install today, but when I went to remove the OEM heated grip, I noticed that the power cable is built into the grip. I'm not the most technically inclined, but guess that the cable will need to be disconnected in order to remove the grip? The grip seems to be extremely tight and I believe it may be glued on. If anyone could provide advice for removal of OEM heated grip, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gekken]

Yes, the cable will need to be disconnected and it IS (sort-of) glued on with stuff called "Yamabond". Yamabond is basically low-tensile-strength stickum that will break down with a mineral-based lubricant/solvent like WD-40. Squirt a LITTLE bit up the grip, wait a few minutes and you should be able to wiggle the grip off.

to replace, please be extra, extra sure to clean every last molecule of WD-40 off the bar with soap and water, then alcohol, then soap-and-water again before applying your own grip glue (get some. trust me) and installing your new grips per the instructions.

 

[harmonj2]

Thanks a lot for the detailed information. I will take your advice that try to see if WD-40 will allow the grip to be removed. Thanks again!!!!

 

[RandG]

I'd be interested to know what kind of heatsink and this will, hopefully work.

 

[harmonj2]

I purchased the heat shrink tubing at a local electrical supply company and cannot remember the brand. I was able to remove the heated grip with the recommended WD-40; thanks!! I installed the heat shrink tube, but it's too thick and the grip will not slide over. I may need to try a reflective insulated tape instead of the heat shrink due to thickness. Maybe there is a thinner heat shrink that could work.

 

[Rasher]

I had the same problem with heat-shrink being too thick.

Used some pipe insulating (reflective) tape and some other plastic feeling sticky tape, not sure what it is called or for, but it looked like it may help so I sandwiched it between the heat reflecting stuff and just kept adding layers until the grip would only just slide back on.

Still not perfect but whereas before I would say the left side was only getting up to the sort of temp the right one did on setting 1 when it was on number 5, I would now say the left gets up to about the same as the right one does on 3 when it is flat out, gone from useless to useable - but still a bit annoying and nowehere neaer as good as the Oxford grips on our other two bikes which were less than 1/4 of the cost.

 

[harmonj2]

Update:

So I purchased a different heat shrink tube off ebay for $2.00 which was much thinner than that previously purchased from the electrical supply store. After heating the tube onto the bar, I was able to coat with rubbing alcohol and work the grip back into place. Note, you will need to wait a good while for the heat shrink tubing to fully cool before re-installing the grip. Once the grip was in place, I waited a day before testing out the heated grips. I'm pleased to say that the heat shrink tubing was a huge success and now the left grip heats almost as hot as the right. i appreciate everyone's advice pertaining to this issue.

 

[BarkSlayer]

I just gave up and bought some Gerbings heated gloves. Love 'em! They heat up very evenly and produce a ton of warmth all over. Waaaaaay better than any heated grips I've ever owned.

 

[arjayes]

After putting up with the uneven heating issue for more than two years I finally decided to do something about it. For removing the grip WD-40 worked well combined with my home-made grip removal tool (see photo) that worked great.

To insulate the bar I first used heat shrink tubing like others in this thread, but when I tried to install the grip (with glue) the heat shrink tubing started to move and it was not going to work. That was a couple of weeks ago.

Yesterday I tried again with polyimide tape (Kapton). This tape is used a lot in electrical applications. Great electrical insulator and has lower thermal conductivity than rubber. It's also strong and very thin. I used one layer of 2mm thick tape followed by another layer of 1mm. This time I installed the grip without glue. Much easier and the grip holds fine.

Took a test ride and the grip heat is almost perfectly even, maybe 55/45 ratio between the throttle and clutch sides. Huge improvement over the previous 80/20 imbalance that made the grips almost worthless. Nice to finally check that one off of my to-do list!