K11 Owners Group

whyoldbill · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 3:35 pm Post subject: DIY Grip heaters fix

I noticed that my grips were getting "kinda warm", but not really warm enough to do any good. So I started checking things out and found the following:
From the Hi/Lo switch leads to ground, I was measuring 7.9 ohms (either lead)
Measuring across the black/brown wires (at the connector under the tank just before the hole in the handle bar) I saw 1.2 ohms.
HUH??
6.7 ohms of resistance in the wires from the switch to the final connector?
Roughly 80% of the resistance of the circuit is somewhere other than the heaters.
In other words, the heaters were only seeing about 20% of the electricity that was meant for them.
Digging further, I found that there are 3 connectors from the fuse to the handlebars (with the switch also in that path).
So I ran new 18 gauge wire from the fuse to the switch and then another to the wires at the handlebar entry hole.
From the new wire at fuse to ground (with the switch on Hi) I now have 1.3 ohms. With the switch on Lo, it's reading 2.3 ohms.
On Lo, my hands were sweating on the way to work this morning with mesh gloves and it was 40 degrees out...
I can post some pics and a wiring diagram if anyone is interested.
_________________
'02 - GL1800

The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton

wedge · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 3:39 pm Post subject:

please
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Bikes:
93 K75S
93 R1100RS

Jim · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 7:59 pm Post subject:

The factory wires are what control the temperature. The low temperature setting wires have more resistance, and occasionally overheat and burn.

If you by pass the factory wiring, you'll have high heat no matter where your switch is set.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

whyoldbill · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:15 pm Post subject:

Jim · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:55 pm Post subject:

Probably a better way to go. That way you'll have high and low, and won't have to think about having a wire fire.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 6:41 pm Post subject:

whyoldbill · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:37 pm Post subject:

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 6:53 pm Post subject:

max · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 4:39 am Post subject:

If it helps with the OEM grips, you can replace the grip rubbers themselves too fairly cheaply - you need two sets of aftermarket grips - I think I've got "ProGrips" - because it's the 24mm "throttle side" grips that fit BOTH sides... they're newer semi-silicone rubber and went on with a bit of judicious stretching after carefully peeling the stuffed originals off.

Much better on the throttle hand, a lot less thumb-to-first-finger force needed to keep the throttle open and look very reasonable too.