White Grips- 1916 J

[Nils_r]

Is There a source for correct white handlebar Grips, they should be both side open ended - not like the canvas white Grips available that has a coke bottle end with a centally placed hole. The early style Grips do not cover the end of the handlebar

[len dowe]

Maybe Foxgrips might have what you need.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/foxgrips1/m...88.m1543.l2654

[exeric]

I've looked for many years to find the early type H-D 'open' grips. I think most people alter the later 'closed' grip by cutting off the end in a lathe, and carefully polishing the remaining land. That gets you close, but it's not correct, and easily spotted. I have to believe someone has made a short run of those grips, and probably someone in Europe. Also, I have collected pictures of early Harleys, and 1916s in particular, and from what I have seen in authentic pictures of that era, the grips are overwhelmingly black. I do see white grips, and footboard mats in factory promotion photos, however.

[Nils_r]

Right- I can modify the whites I have bought but they will be non-symmetrical. I did not know that they also had white footboard mats!

[exeric]

You have me looking at any pictures I can find of teens, and earlier H-Ds. I have to repeat that the majority of grips appear to be black (or riders never washed their hands). 100 year old rubber (no synthetic in those days) doesn't age well and I have to wonder if the 'white' grips were more of an off white, or light tan color. I think that may be a question that will never be answered as time takes it's toll on organic materials used in manufacturing.

[Chris Haynes]

Factory photos show white grips until 1942..

[exeric]

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These 2 pictures of a '14, and '17 are typical of the dark shade of grips I have seen in early photos of H-Ds in actual use. I have seen 'white grips in factory promotional photos from this era, but again, these pics are what is usually seen. It's quite possible the grips were a dark gray but we will never know as the parts books from this era don't mention color.

[Chris Haynes]

OK. Ya made me put on my glasses and look carefully through my 2,500 factory photos. Contrary to my opinion the first appearance of white grips in in 1934.

[exeric]

That was funny, Chris. If only Kodak had popularized color film in the early 20th century; stuff like this wouldn't have been a question.

[Chris Haynes]

That was funny, Chris. If only Kodak had popularized color film in the early 20th century; stuff like this wouldn't have been a question.

They did have color in the '30's. But Harley stayed with B&W until the '60's.