Replacing clutch lever mount on a Marauder GZ250
 

Hi guys,

I need to replace a broken clutch lever mount on my beloved Suzuki Marauder, and I'm going to have a crack at doing it myself. :smartass:

It seems that in order to get the broken mount off and put the new one on, I've got to slide the mount off over the left handlebar. So I've dismantled the choke/headlamp switch housing, no problem, but now I'm looking at the left handlebar grip and thinking: how do I get that off so I can slide the broken clutch lever mount off and slide the new one on?!

Any ideas? Is the grip just a rubber covering over the handlebar? In which case, do I need to grease it somehow, so the rubber grip slides off? Or does the whole grip come off?

I've got the service manual for the GZ250 but it's not clear to me how the grip comes off, so any advice would be very gratefully received!!

Jeanie :mchappy:

Grips "just" slide on and off, but usually put up a good fight! try lifting the edge, with a screwdriver, and spraying hair spray between bar and grip then pulling and pushing and grunting. Warming it may help, cloth in boiling water wrapped around and more pulling...... I hope someone will be along with a simple, easy way and make me feel a fool for struggling all these years...
Good Luck

Hairspray is the answer...
 

Hairspray? Well I wouldn't have thought of that, but I'll certainly give it a go!! Thanks oothef!!
Jeanie :mchappy:

Hairspray is the usual method of getting new grips on and then making sure they stick tight - not sure about using it to remove them though, espec. as the factory uses contact cement to keep them in place.

You may have to resort to cutting them off (just slice with a razor blade) and purchasing a replacement set.

All fixed!
 

Hey guys,

Thanks for your suggestions - they both worked!! After a few hours up to my elbows in grease and spanners in the garage, I think I've fixed my bike!!

In the end, I got the grips off with good old-fashioned hot water...soaked a cloth in boiling water, applied it to the rubber grip, then tugged and wrenched like crazy and it came off!

Replaced the broken clutch mount and re-fitted the clutch lever etc. Then did the hairspray trick to get the rubber grip back on the handlebar. Sorted!!

Thanks to you both for your suggestions - I need to take the bike for a little test drive tomorrow, to check everything's in order, but hopefully that's me back on the road, yeeha!! :D

Jeanie :mchappy:

Well done Jeanie :thumbup1:

Happy little Marauder
 

Hey thanks! Just back from taking the Marauder out for a Sunday morning spin, and 86kms later it's singing...and so am I!!:D

Can't quite believe I've managed to fix the bike on my own - that's the first ever piece of motorcycle repair I've done in my life and it worked!! While I was out, a lovely guy on a Harley came over to look at my bike and he inspected my handiwork on the clutch lever - he said it looked absolutely fine!!:clap:

Also can't believe that I was driven to find the part I needed no matter what and then fix it myself as the thought of being bike-less for 3 weeks was too much to bear! I'm SERIOUSLY hooked here!!

Jeanie :mchappy:

If you have access to a compressor, there is a very easy way to get them off, other than the very effective, but muscle-intensive way you did it. Using a blower tip on an air gun, just push under the edge of the rubber and let rip with the air. The grips just glide off like you would not believe.

Cheers all

Nigel in NZ