I don't get it......? A piece of a plastic license plate?
Tell me more. I'm not too bright...

 

maybe try a piece of plastic from a gallon milk jug, cut it square/rectangle and roll it up into a cylinder/cone put your rubber piece on it and slide it over the end of your grip then slide it off....worth a try i guess...

 

 

In theory your right. It needs something like that but these bands are so thick it would crush the gallon of milk plastic. The bands are a thick tight 11/16 in diameter and need to stretch to 1 1/4 to go over the grip and snap into place.

What's needed is some sort of PVC pipe or cone device which is as tough as a piece of PVC pipe but it needs to be one smooth piece which starts at 1/2 inch and gradually makes it's way up to 1 1/4 inches.

Then yes you could use that to lube and slide these suckers on. Without that it's 2 pair pliers some soap, boiling water, cursing naturally and some luck.

 

how about you start with this and modify it by slicing it part ways length wise....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Transmission...item2c61a15bb6

 

Holy crap that's hysterical cause I think that would have worked!
What's worse is I have that funnel about three feet away from me. Omg. You and the hot water guys win!