Installing New Grips
This article is meant to be used only to provide background information about what it takes to install grips. Always follow the installation instructions provided with your grips, and refer to your Yamaha Virago shop manual.
During my handle bar installation project, I had to install a new set of grips. As basic a procedure as this is, I decided to list it here for those who just want to know. I chose to go with the Yamaha brand Virago foam cruising grips made for the Virago. These grips are a totally enclosed type of grip with a metal end on them, unlike the stock grips which are essentially made of three pieces; the end cap, the rubber grip, and the spacer. Actually, the Virago grips are several pieces but are bolted together forming a grip unit.
Parts you need are: new grips & grip glue
Removing the stock grips:
First, remove the stock grip handlebar end caps. When doing this, try to pull them out by rocking them back and forth rather than twisting and pulling. This will do less damage to the plastic retainer on the end caps in case you want to use them again.
Next, remove the throttle sleeve from the right side by loosening the throttle split housing and disconnecting the cables from the sleeve. The throttle sleeve will then slide off the handlebar and you can work with it at your work bench.
Next, remove the rubber stock grip from the left side and from the throttle sleeve. I tried for hours to remove my stock grips from the left side of the handlebar and from the throttle sleeve, but could not get them off intact. If you do get them off, clean up the glued areas on the handlebars and throttle sleeve as best you can to get them ready for the new grips to go on. If you can't get the stock ones off intact, get a sharp blade and cut them off. When cutting, make sure you don't press so hard with the blade as to cut into the throttle sleeve. Cut the grips through just enough so that you can pull on the grip and tear it loose. Once you have the rubber grip removed from the left side and the from the throttle sleeve, the plastic chrome colored grip spacers will be free to slide off.
Installing the new grips
Before installing the new grips, take a moment to hold one of them up to both the left side handlebar and the throttle sleeve to get an idea of the fit. You shouldn't have to adjust any handlebar accessories on the left side but it's always good to check. Remember, the position of the grip on the throttle sleeve is pretty much set. There should be some amount of overhang of the throttle grip in its mated configuration on the sleeve, and then the position of the grip on the handlebar is determined by the throttle split housing location. Make sure on the left side of the handlebar you can match up the grip position with the throttle side with or without having to shift the accessories; probably without. The reason for doing this is because the new grips are tight, and once you slide them on your probably not getting them back off without destroying them.
Install the grip on the throttle sleeve first. The virago grips come with a foam washer that slides on the throttle sleeve before installing the grip. If your bike has a plastic throttle shim, make sure to install it onto the throttle sleeve first before installing the new grip and place the foam washer behind it. Next, place a wet coating of grip glue on the throttle sleeve. In one motion, use all of your fatboy weight to slide the grip onto the throttle sleeve. If your installing Virago grips, make sure the emblem is positioned on the sleeve in the orientation you desire, or at least make sure before you install the grip that the emblem cap can be rotated by hand.
Now, install the left side grip to the handlebar. Slide the foam washer onto the handlebar and up to the turnsignal split housing. Place a wet coating of grip glue to the handlebar, and in one motion slide the grip onto the handlebar and up to sandwich the foam washer against the turnsignal housing. Check the emblem position as mentioned before. In my case, the Virago grips were so tight that they hardly wanted to move when I tried installing them. When I installed the grip on the throttle sleeve, I literally had to squat down and lean on the grip and sleeve, and lift my feet off the ground to slide it on. So, you can imagine what I went through on the left side. Just make sure you don't tip the bike over. Have patience, they will go on. Re-install the throttle sleeve/grip to the bike and hook the throttle cables back up.
Well that's it, your ready to ride right? NOT. Before you go ride, check the clutch and brake lever operation. The brake lever probably won't be a problem, but the clutch could. The grips are thicker than stock and you may have to adjust the clutch. Also, check the throttle operation for free and easy movement. I like to spray silicone spray to the handlebar under the throttle sleeve to allow the sleeve to slide easy on the handlebar. Again, double check everything before riding.