There are two types of Caravel strap grips, one is a simple plastic grip which fits accross the two chrome handles. This grip can and often does shatter at the ends due to age and the need to flex as the two sides of the handle are removed from the piston mechanism. The second type of grip is a more streamlines shape which fits into metal ends....broken ends on this type of grip are also common with age, or overextension of the two sides of the handle. This section details the removal of the second, and more complicated, handle strap grip.
The two sides of the handle are joined by a flat steel strap, which is covered by the plastic grip. The simplest way to remove the grip is to break it with a hammer to expose the metal strap. The fittings on each end both have a small pin which is driven out with a small awl, or nail. This pin not only holds the collar but penetrates the end of the steel strap.
Once the pin is removed the collar must be driven back toward the outside of the handle. A preliminary treatment with penetrating oil may be helpful. We used a small open end wrench to create a larger face to strike with a hammer until the collar is driven back as far as it will go.
The steel strap is held in its slot by friction and rust, so the oil is important to allow you to tap the steel strap out of its slot. Once all is taken apart clean the steel and dress the marks that you may have made on the collar with a file or emory.
The original handle strap grip is 64mm or 2 ˝ inches long. The plastic replacement strap grip we sell for the simpler all plastic grip is too long and large to use for this repair. Now that we have the original grip off, our next step is a trip to the hardware store or even office supply to see what we can find to recreate an acceptable strap.....copper pipe comes to mind, which to us would look nice, but there may be something in the abs pipe department that will work as well.
Assembly is the reverse, and once all the parts are clean, and oiled, it will be much easier to do! Of course, a custom turned wood grip would be lovely, as would a perfect recreation of the plastic grip, so the completion of this repair is only limited by your creativity, talent, persistence and most of all motivation.
Good Luck!
