So I installed the Oxford Sport Heaterz heated grips, and mounted the V.8 controller to the LH handlebar using the included bracket onto the clutch perch. It is robust and works great, the grips were tight going on but they warm up quickly and get almost-too-hot when left at 100% during a ride. I've used them for the past 100 miles or so while I break in my new tires and try to diagnose a slipping clutch issue.

Today I discovered that both grips are spinning on the bars. The LH side was installed with the super-glue that came in the kit. I recently discovered that some of the glue had oozed out and run down the heated grip wire/knob on the LH grip itself where it dried into an unremovable white blob. The RH throttle side went onto the throttle tube very tight and I figured it would never spin as tight as it was, but I was riding today with the grip heat turned to 100% for at least 20mins since it was a bit chilly here, and I think that is what made it slip. When I opened the throttle 100% the tube stopped when the cables were fully stretched but the grip just kept on turning!!!! Scared me for a few minutes until I noticed the grip was further around than I originally set it.

Our throttle tube on the ZX14R is perfectly smooth gray plastic. There's no mechanical feature to hold the grips in place like knurling or ribs molded into the tube. Just friction or a chemical glue are your options. I used to have a throttle tube with plastic ribs molded in it running the length of the tube, probably like 8-10 ridges total. That would really help here to keep the Oxfords from spinning I think. Know of anything like that I can buy? Or how to mod my OEM tube to hold the RH grip in place? The LH side doesn't concern me nearly as much.

Thanks

I installed some heated grips on my first bike and never had any problems, even with the left cranked up during one of the most miserable rides of my life through drizzle at near freezing temperatures, yes I can hear those in Europe laughin at me for describing their version of a pleasant spring day.

2 recommendations, you can use some coarse sand paper to scuff up the surface of the bars to provide something for the glue to grab onto. 2nd, buy grip glue, its glue for motorcycle grips :D

Here's the stuff I used (bought from a local shop just found this site while searching)

http://www.tobefast.com/DRIVEN-Motorcycle-Grip-Glue.html

I have recently installed a set of Oxford heated grips too. I haven a first gen and I don't recall if the throttle tube was smooth or not.
Bradley is it possible you had some residue left on the bike surface that prevented the grip glue from bonding? Did you use anything to help get old grips off?
Just throwing out ideas.

GP

I'm thinking I will just remove both sides, and use JB Weld on the throttle side to epoxy it to the throttle tube. I'll replace the throttle tube when the grips wear out. Guarantees no slippage on that side.

I would prefer to get a throttle tube with ribs that run the length of it(This way ========, NOT this way |||||||) but the inside of the Oxfords aren't just simply rubber like a grip, they seem to have their own kind of plastic tube inside. There is little-to-no stretch to get them over any features like that.

The clutch side....I still don't know. I guess a small amount of JB weld on that too and just cut the grip off when it's time to replace?

Frustrating.

Bradley. What did you find out? JB weld work for you?

Ok, so I talked myself out of using JB Weld on these things, it's just too permanent of a solution.

Instead I went to my local Wal-Mart and found the perfect glue to use. It's made by LOCTITE (those guys know their chemistry) and the product is Loctite All-Purpose G02 Glue....comes in a 1.75 oz bottle, and this is the best part: Shock, water, and heat resistant.

I tested it's abilities around the house before using it on my grips, and it's a great product. Clean, clear but holds strong. Remains just soft enough to push your fingernail into it if you're pushing HARD after 12 hours. After 24 hours it's fully cured and ready to rock.

It's actually in the curing phase right now on my grips, so I won't be strength testing it for a couple days. I will let you know the results.

This is the right product for fixing the grip problem. Worked very well!

Here is a link to the LocTite product page to see what I used.

Applied liberally to clean handlebar/throttle tube and let tack up for 30 seconds or so, then worked the grips over the glue. Wipe any excess out between the switch-cubes and the grip, and make sure you orient the wire coming out of the Oxfords where you want it the first time!!

The trick is to turn the Oxfords on at 100% heat and let them warm up, they become more supple and if I dind't know better I'd say they expand their inside diameter just slightly. Easier on and off when they're warm.

Thanks Bradley. I will give the loctite a go. This weekend while riding in torrential rain with grips on high I noticed the clutch side grip was loose. Not what I wanted on the interstate in those conditions.

Peace of mind is well worth the 30 minute job in my opinion.

The only slipping I want to see with my bike is the rear tire burning rubber with all the horsepower!!

I've gone to great lengths to eliminate the clutch slip I was getting, and with this Loctite glue I have eliminated all the slip from the grips as well.

Good luck on yours, let us know how it goes.