Author Topic: Advice need on a quick fix  (Read 3021 times)

Offline Mick Parry

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Advice need on a quick fix
« on: 30.07. 2010 08:41 »
Chaps

I have a 1960 A10 which is in brilliant nick but has a couple of minor irritating faults.

The handlebar grips dont grip, you can spin them around because the must be slightly oversize. This same happens with the kick start rubber, it is just to loose.

Is there a "trick of the trade" to cure this or a recommended adhesive to use.

Many thanks

Mick

Offline LJ.

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #1 on: 30.07. 2010 09:32 »
Hi Mick... In the past when I've had loose fitting handlebar grips I've used a hot glue gun, squirting into the grip and then twisting on quick before glue cools and hardens. Don't use electrical insulation tape as it makes a horrible sticky mess. As for the kick start rubber, if you intend riding a lot then the rubber wont last very long as they are now made of poor quality material.
Ride Safely Lads! LJ.
**********************
1940 BSA M20 500cc Girder/Rigid- (SOLD)
1947 BSA M21 600cc Girder/Rigid-Green
1949 BSA A7   500cc Girder/Plunger Star Twin-(SOLD)
1953 BSA B33  500cc Teles/Plunger-Maroon
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Blue
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Red

Offline lawnmowerman

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #2 on: 30.07. 2010 09:56 »
Self amalgamating tape can help. It is a non-adhesive stretchy rubber tape which you stretch to half the original width when you apply it. Start from the inside edge of the grips (or kickstart) so the overlaps point inwards and it will make it easier to push the rubbers on. Once applied this tape fuses together into a solid mass - hence the name self-amalgamating. I first discovered this stuff many years ago as an apprentice in BT where it was (and still is) used to seal underground cable joints. I always have a roll in the car as it is great to temporarily seal leaking cooling hose rubbers. Do not be tempted to use washing up liquid to ease on the grips as they will continue to slip for ages after - if they are tight a smear of silicone sealant will help them on and when set will hold them tight.
Why is it that we cannot get decent footrest and kickstart rubbers now - seems to be a gap in the market for a quality supplier. I am sure that we would all pay more for something which lasts more than a few weeks.
Jim
1959 A10 SR
1938 Wolseley 14/60
1955 Ferguson TEF20 tractor
1965 Ferguson 135 tractor
1952 Matchless G80 rigid
1960 BMW R60
1954 Matchless G80S
1955 Ariel 500 VH
1951 Sunbeam S7DL
1960 Matchless G12 with Watsonian Monza
......and loads of lawnmowers

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Offline sparx

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #3 on: 30.07. 2010 10:03 »
 I tried some silicon sealant... but it didn't work. Didn't seem to want to stick to the shiny handlebar.   *sad2*
 I'll try that hot glue LJ, maybe warm the end of the 'bar a bit to give some wriggle room.
  Maybe the grips are a little oversize to fit the twist grip, that one seems nice and tight on my A10?
  I agree 100% about the kick start rubber. I've not even got my A10 on the road yet after a restoration job and the end of the rubber is hanging off. Granted I've had issues with the engine that have resulted in six months worth of kick-starting in the last few weeks, but all the same....
Dave
Peterborough (UK)

Offline MG

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #4 on: 30.07. 2010 10:23 »
There's an old racing mod for loose rubbers.  *smile*
This will also work for handlebars.

Cheers, Markus
1955 A7 Shooting Star
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Offline A10Boy

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #5 on: 30.07. 2010 11:07 »
An old trick which works for me with my Beeston type grips.

Get new ones because tape and stuff stretches them. Clean bars with meths. Wait til the coast is clear then get her best hairspray from the boudoir and give the bar ends a good wetting. Slide grips into position and after 5 minutes the spirits have gassed off leaving the grips firmly glued in place. - Dont forget to return the now empty hairspray can to the boudoir after wiping off all traces of oil and fingerprints.

HTH
Regards

Andy

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Plus
Harley Super Glide Custom
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Offline LJ.

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #6 on: 30.07. 2010 12:50 »
I'd rather stick to the dangers of motorcycling than to mess with her hairspray!
Ride Safely Lads! LJ.
**********************
1940 BSA M20 500cc Girder/Rigid- (SOLD)
1947 BSA M21 600cc Girder/Rigid-Green
1949 BSA A7   500cc Girder/Plunger Star Twin-(SOLD)
1953 BSA B33  500cc Teles/Plunger-Maroon
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Blue
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Red

Online RichardL

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #7 on: 30.07. 2010 13:15 »
I have not done it, but it sems reasonable to put the handlebar grips on using the same method as for golf grips. Wrap handle with two-sided masking tape. Activate tape and inside of grip with MEK. Dump excess MEK from iside of grip. Slide grip on and quickly establish its resting place. (MEK dries really fast.) When ready to remove, cut the grips away, because it will be impossible (I think) to remove them any other way. When ready to apply the next set. peel or scrape away the tape remnants and cleanup with MEK (Please do all this outdoors or in exceptionally well ventilated area and according to lacal codes and ordinances, and according to your own best judgement. There, saved myself a lawsuit.)

Richard L.

Offline a10 gf

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #8 on: 30.07. 2010 13:26 »
Agree that self amalgamating tape can be very helpful for may purposes (excellent for waterproofing electrical joints, temporary fix for car radiator tubes etc). Have used it for handlebar\footrest, let it set for a while, then applying isopropyl alcohol (which evaporates 100%) to help sliding the handlebar\footrest on.

ps,  ;) applied some light moderation, including to the moderator. Please remember, we've got ladies reading  ;)  Any Flak, pm me


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Offline MG

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #9 on: 30.07. 2010 13:32 »
Quote
Please do all this outdoors or in exceptionally well ventilated area and according to lacal codes and ordinances, and according to your own best judgement. There, saved myself a lawsuit.)

Richard, now there's absolutely no doubt left you're American.  *lol*

And what the hell is MEK?
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Offline a101960

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #10 on: 30.07. 2010 13:52 »
Quote
And what the hell is MEK?

MEK is an extremely powerful and dangerous solvent. My advice would be don't even go there. Its use is banned by the British armed forces because of the health implications. Liver and kidney damage among other things. That must tell you something.

John

Offline iansoady

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #11 on: 30.07. 2010 14:16 »
I've always found a quick swill with petrol works for tight fitting grips - like MEK it evaporates quickly but more important is more readily to hand.

I've also used spray adhesive (Evostik type as used for car upholstery) for loose ones and that's worked OK as well.
Ian.
1962 Golden Flash (arrived)
1955 Velo Viper/Venom (departed)
2004 Triumph Tiger 955i (staying)

Offline a10 gf

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #12 on: 30.07. 2010 14:22 »
offtopic:
Quote
MEK is an extremely powerful and dangerous solvent.
In other words, a very 'good' product. I've worked in fumes from similar stuff long time ago, when such products where cheap, effective and 'safe' (= in the good ol' days, smoking was very healthy, and for Christmas, kids got harmonicas made of lead lol). Horrible experience. So Richard's words are well funded (well fumed...)


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Online RichardL

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #13 on: 30.07. 2010 14:36 »
Methy Ethyl Ketone. Available here in your local hardware store. In no way am I suggesting it is safe, but I'm hoping it's damaging influences are not a surety (so far, so good, more than 40 years later). Having been in the loudspeaker manufacturing business in the late '60s and much of the '70s, MEK was everywhere in the factory. If you wanted MEK-based adhesives off your hands you scrubbed with MEK.

Yes, other solvents might be a better choice.

Richard L.

Offline MG

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Re: Advice need on a quick fix
« Reply #14 on: 30.07. 2010 14:51 »
Thanks guys, found it on wikipedia in the mean time.

I'm not too concerned about liver damage, that's seen worse stuff for sure. But the kidneys....  *lol*

1955 A7 Shooting Star
1956 A10 Golden Flash
1961 Matchless G12 CSR

www.histo-tech.at - Restoration, Repairs, Racing

Austria