Foam on Handlebars
05-29-05, 08:47 PM
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Foam on Handlebars
I'm about to change out some handlebars from an old Schwinn Voyageur and need to remove the old foam from the hood and drops. I actually like the feel and comfort of this foam and it's not in bad shape at all. Anyone have any tricks for sliding this stuff off unharmed? It doesn't appear to be glued but my minor efforts to get it to slide, so far, ain't workn. I know that it may have to come under the knife but just thought I'd ask.
Thanks.
Thanks.
05-29-05, 08:58 PM
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Split it along a radial seam. When you want to reinstall, use spray adhesive & a wrap over the foam.
05-30-05, 08:47 AM
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If you have access to an air compressor stick a blow gun under the foam and blast away. It'll expand the foam away from the bar so that it will easily and quickly slide off.
05-30-05, 08:49 AM
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If you do destroy the foam, you can still get a replacment set from an LBS.
05-30-05, 10:52 AM
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Step 1: Get a can of WD40 with the long thin red tube for spraying into tight places.
Step 2: Get a long thin screwdriver and insert it under the foam. Rotate it around the bar to loosen.
Step 3: Hold in the edge of the foam up with screwdriver, nsert thin red tube, give short squirt of WD40 under foam.
Step 4: Twist foam with hand and slide off.
Or, you could just razor off the old foam, and buy a new set at the LBS for $5.00 or so......
Regards,
John D.
Step 2: Get a long thin screwdriver and insert it under the foam. Rotate it around the bar to loosen.
Step 3: Hold in the edge of the foam up with screwdriver, nsert thin red tube, give short squirt of WD40 under foam.
Step 4: Twist foam with hand and slide off.
Or, you could just razor off the old foam, and buy a new set at the LBS for $5.00 or so......
Regards,
John D.
05-30-05, 11:44 AM
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That foam stuff generally starts crumbling after a few years of UV exposure. If it's an older bike chances are the foam is getting old so you might as well cut it off and get some new stuff from the LBS. It's cheap.
05-30-05, 05:15 PM
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If you use dish soap instead of wd-40 in bigbossman's technique, you'll find them easier to rinse and replace 
