Wogster

I have a 2½ year old, we bought a tricycle for her, it's vintage and I want to paint the bars, but I can't figure out how to get the grips off, I don't know if I will be able to find replacements, so I would like to keep the grips I have... Would heat from a hairdryer help?

Hoss Cartright

yep... If the handlebars are hollow all the way through, simply apply compressed air from a 'blow-nozzle' in one of the grip center-holes, the opposite grip should come flying off when you plug the hole on that one. Or simply stick a very small screwdriver under the edge of the grip and place a WD40 spray nozzle in there next to the screwdriver and work that spray lubricant into the underside of the grip. twist and work the lubricant in there and it will come off. And yes, you could use a hair dryer to soften the grips if you are afraid they are brittle.

doublegg66

plastic rod, and spray soapy water in between the bar and grip,twist and pull,should work.

rhm

Put an adjustable wrench on the bar and push the grips off with that. It may help to get a little water under them first.

repechage

The challenge is the age of the plastic. At the bike shop long ago we used an air nozzle with 100 psi and a rubber end, inserted one end into the typical grip breathing hole on the end and capped off the other with a finger. Usually one grip would fly off or need little help. With old grips, the grip may fail.

Time to mask and paint.

The Golden Boy 

I worked a couple nails between the bar and grip, shot some WD 40 in there. Twist, twist, twist... off.

repechage

On old grips that might just crack them.

sloar 

screw driver and wd-40 works everytime.

gaucho777 

If you can get that little red "straw" that comes with most WD-40 cans in under the grip, then a couple squirts and a little twist should get the grips off. Be sure to clean off the WD-40 so they don't slip once you reinstall them.

uncle uncle

At the shop I worked at, we used to slip a very small screwdriver underneath the grip and then spray or drip very soapy water in the gap. Do this to three or four spots at different points along the grip. Then try to twist it free. If it doesn't work right away, give it a few minutes and try again. Works pretty good. Remember, water always finds a way, so let it work for you in the case.

PatTheSlat 

This has never failed for me, I've used this trick on probably 40 different bikes so far. A 7/8" open end wrench will fit over most bars perfectly. Slide the wrench over the bar and whack it a few times with a hammer.

jiangshi

When installing, use hair spray. It lubes them going on, then sticks them so they don't twist.

eschlwc

we used a syringe filled with lighter fluid at the golf shop.

Vonruden

Windex or any window cleaner and screw driver. Spray in and twist.

curly666

We use a screw driver and spray bottle of alcohol to take them off and to put new ones on, they slip off nice and easy and the alcohol doesn't leave any residue.

Glennfordx4

I have done it a few different ways like the rest above, a long thin screwdriver and soapy water followed by air from a blow tool will push the water in deeper and remove the grip at the same time, sometimes air all by it's self will work. I have also used Silicone spray but you must make sure to wash the grips real good if you are going to reuse them, and don't forget to wipe the bar ends with some Lacquer thinner also. I reinstall grips either using Hair Spray or rubber cement, sometimes just water will work depending on what the grip is made from, then I let them sit in the sun for awhile.


Glenn

dweenk

+1
What Vonruden said. Works for me every time.

Paramount1973 

I do this every week at the bike coop. You can use something, like a thin screwdriver, to get under the edge of grip, pry it up a bit, and squirt in some soapy water, window cleaner, Simple Green, or the like, and start twisting the grip where you sprayed the solution. You may have to apply a second shot of solution but in no time the entire grip will loosen as the solution works its magic and breaks the adhesion of the grip to the bars.

jiangshi

If I ever find grips glued to the bars, I will hunt you down. That's a no no!

LesterOfPuppets

I prefer Windex or Isopropyl alcohol. The ideal tool for inserting under the grip would be a piece of spring steel about the size of a 12 gauge spoke encased in a tough plastic, perhaps Delrin, but I just get by with a broken spoke, with the end filed to a rounded profile to minimize bar scratching.

Clean bar well.

Spritz bar and inside grip with window cleaner or alcohol to help ease the new grips on.

michael k

This!

sailorbenjamin

Pushing is better than pulling, think Chinese finger trap. I sometimes push them off with a brake lever. I've thought of making a metal circle that I could loosely clamp on over the bar to push with.
And check Ebay, NOS clamps are available.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

As difficult as it might be to stomach, perhaps don't be cheap and just get some new grips.
What're those old grips made of? Do you want your 2 1/2 year old chewing on, licking or getting gunk from those old grips all over her hands?

Just cut the old grips off. I guarantee your daughter will not care whether the grips on her trike are period correct. Get some cloth tape and make new ones, and for cryin out loud put some streamers in the ends of the handlebars.

LesterOfPuppets

Gotta watch bar diameter. Many trikes (and some sub-16" kids bikes) have smaller diameter grips.

WNG

1/2" diameter kids grips are still available at any local bike shop. Should the old ones are too brittle and tear.