Heated Grip Re-wrap...anyone done this?

blueshoat · 01-19-2013, 05:20 PM

Looking for a little guidance here. I buggered my heated grips by accidentally severing one the wires. I unwrapped everything (throttle side) and reattached the resistance wires using some crimped metal tubing...but alas...no heat.

The left side still works, but I can't get any heat on the throttle side. I've checked the connections at the main junction (the connector that branches the left and right side from the harness) and even switched the left with the right to see if it was just a bad connection. No go. Clues anyone? (Its a 1995 R1100RS).

I'm wondering if anyone has ever fully unwrapped the wires to re-tape everything with success. I can't figure out why this would not work...but maybe I'm missing something? Not in the mood to drop $103 on a new heated grip!

mwood7800 · 01-19-2013, 07:27 PM

Been making my own heated grips for me and friends for several years. Wrap the stock grip with bare niochrome wire then heat shrink. Then foam covers. Takes longer to wire the switch than making grips.

blueshoat · 01-19-2013, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwood7800

Been making my own heated grips for me and friends for several years. Wrap the stock grip with bare niochrome wire then heat shrink. Then foam covers. Takes longer to wire the switch than making grips.

Sounds llike you're the guy with the experience. Can I just use my existing resistance wires and re wrap everything?

space · 01-19-2013, 10:53 PM

I never trust DIY crimp connections. Especially when they're subjected to a lot of vibration.

Are you sure you have good continuity there? Either way, I'd suggest finding a good soldering iron and make sure.

jdub · 01-20-2013, 05:33 AM

If the heated grips ever fail on my R12GSA, I plan on replacing them with this for $35. I'd installed this kit on my KLR and V-Strom, and it worked every bit as well as OEM BMW heated grips. Splicing into the bike's existing grip switch should be pretty easy.

blueshoat · 01-20-2013, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by space

I never trust DIY crimp connections. Especially when they're subjected to a lot of vibration.

Are you sure you have good continuity there? Either way, I'd suggest finding a good soldering iron and make sure.

I'll try soldering and report back...

blueshoat · 01-20-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdub

If the heated grips ever fail on my R12GSA, I plan on replacing them with this for $35. I'd installed this kit on my KLR and V-Strom, and it worked every bit as well as OEM BMW heated grips. Splicing into the bike's existing grip switch should be pretty easy.

Thanks for the lead. This looks like a possible plug and play alternative. Definitely my plan B.

STUFF2C · 01-20-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdub

If the heated grips ever fail on my R12GSA, I plan on replacing them with this for $35. I'd installed this kit on my KLR and V-Strom, and it worked every bit as well as OEM BMW heated grips. Splicing into the bike's existing grip switch should be pretty easy.

me too

kellymac530 · 01-20-2013, 01:47 PM

Not to hijack but a related question, on those $35 grip heater kit, how do you run the wires on the throttle side?

Out the end of the bars? Can you still run a hand system like bark busters?

STUFF2C · 01-20-2013, 06:35 PM

I ran mine in the end of the bar, then drilled a hole at the mid way point of the bars and fished the wires out there. don't see a way you can use anything that would install in the end of the bars after you install the aftermarket heaters.

davek181 · 01-20-2013, 06:48 PM

I use the cheapie grip heaters and they do fine. On the throttle side I run the wire to the inside and make a little bit of a channel in the grip for the wire to exit perpendicular to the bars, I then form a loop with enough length to allow the throttle to move full range and zip tie the wire in place.

Rocky Mountain had a grip heater blanket sale this fall, they were $9.99 a set. Bought two myself.

Mike Ryder · 01-20-2013, 07:24 PM

I had trouble soldering the nichrome wire. In the end I used acid flux and 50/50.
The nichrome crumbles up with silver solder heat.

STUFF2C · 01-21-2013, 12:51 PM

I wrap the two wires together and then crimp them. do the same any time i need to crimp wires together, never a problem so far.
I NEVER use butt connectors where you push a wire in each end and crimp them. Always wrap them then use one end of the butt connector, works for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Ryder

I had trouble soldering the nichrome wire. In the end I used acid flux and 50/50.
The nichrome crumbles up with silver solder heat.

01-19-2013, 05:20 PM	#1
blueshoat ^OP Carver Joined: Jul 2008 Location: CHICAGO Oddometer: 63	Heated Grip Re-wrap...anyone done this? Looking for a little guidance here. I buggered my heated grips by accidentally severing one the wires. I unwrapped everything (throttle side) and reattached the resistance wires using some crimped metal tubing...but alas...no heat. The left side still works, but I can't get any heat on the throttle side. I've checked the connections at the main junction (the connector that branches the left and right side from the harness) and even switched the left with the right to see if it was just a bad connection. No go. Clues anyone? (Its a 1995 R1100RS). I'm wondering if anyone has ever fully unwrapped the wires to re-tape everything with success. I can't figure out why this would not work...but maybe I'm missing something? Not in the mood to drop $103 on a new heated grip!

01-20-2013, 05:33 AM	#5
jdub Dawg bytes reel gud Joined: Jan 2004 Location: S. Central PA Oddometer: 1,379	If the heated grips ever fail on my R12GSA, I plan on replacing them with this for $35. I'd installed this kit on my KLR and V-Strom, and it worked every bit as well as OEM BMW heated grips. Splicing into the bike's existing grip switch should be pretty easy. __________________ '07 R1200GS Adv. & '00 DRZ400S Step-by-Step R1200GSA Gearbox Removal and Clutch Spline Lube Process Another 100,000 Mile R1200GS Adv. R.I.P., my faithful dog Ripley (ref. my avatar). April 2001 - April 2013

01-20-2013, 01:47 PM	#9
kellymac530 motorcycle addict Joined: Feb 2010 Location: so. cal. Oddometer: 897	Not to hijack but a related question, on those $35 grip heater kit, how do you run the wires on the throttle side? Out the end of the bars? Can you still run a hand system like bark busters? __________________ it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission

01-20-2013, 06:35 PM	#10
STUFF2C We Ain't Left Yet!! Joined: Aug 2004 Location: O-lando Oddometer: 1,176	I ran mine in the end of the bar, then drilled a hole at the mid way point of the bars and fished the wires out there. don't see a way you can use anything that would install in the end of the bars after you install the aftermarket heaters. __________________ Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything. -- Charles Kuralt I never plan a ride, just the destination and that's always subject to change.

01-20-2013, 07:24 PM	#12
Mike Ryder Kriegerkuh Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Peachland B.C. Canada Oddometer: 687	I had trouble soldering the nichrome wire. In the end I used acid flux and 50/50. The nichrome crumbles up with silver solder heat. __________________ Yes I am quite serious.

01-19-2013, 07:27 PM	#2
mwood7800 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2011 Oddometer: 363	Been making my own heated grips for me and friends for several years. Wrap the stock grip with bare niochrome wire then heat shrink. Then foam covers. Takes longer to wire the switch than making grips.

01-19-2013, 10:53 PM	#4
space a.k.a. Jake Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Pasadena, CA Oddometer: 2,466	I never trust DIY crimp connections. Especially when they're subjected to a lot of vibration. Are you sure you have good continuity there? Either way, I'd suggest finding a good soldering iron and make sure.

01-20-2013, 06:48 PM	#11
davek181 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Idaho Oddometer: 168	I use the cheapie grip heaters and they do fine. On the throttle side I run the wire to the inside and make a little bit of a channel in the grip for the wire to exit perpendicular to the bars, I then form a loop with enough length to allow the throttle to move full range and zip tie the wire in place. Rocky Mountain had a grip heater blanket sale this fall, they were $9.99 a set. Bought two myself.

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