brake and clutch levers

Discussion in 'Clothing & Gadgets' started by crispey, Jun 4, 2015.

  1. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
    7,225
    1,000
    Uk
    Hi, Thought I would do a write up about these adjustable levers bought from ebay as I have shortish fingers and was finding the OEM ones too much of a stretch.

    Ok they're from Hong Kong and they are cheap but I thought I'd give them a go!
    Colour choice was very good with loads of variants.
    Although they stated a 2 weeks to a month wait they arrived in under 2 weeks, well packaged etc.
    lever 1.jpg

    Out of the bag they seemed well machined and solid, they are adjustable so that you can use them as short or long levers, they fold up to, supposedly stop them breaking if you drop the bike, I hope I don't use that! and they have 6 clickable settings on distance from the handlebar, you can adjust with gloves on.
    Fitting them was very easy as they lined up with the holes perfectly, the only problem was the clutch lever being quite floppy up and down, rectified slightly by fashioning a thin spacer out of plastic put between the handlebar mount and lever
    lever 2.jpg lever 3.jpg

    Once fitted I adjusted them to my liking ( about position 3) and checked that the clutch and brake operated properly before firing up the bike to go for a test run. I pulled the clutch in and pressed the starter button.....nothing!! A draw back! If not in position 5 or 6 the clutch safety switch doesn't engage/disengage and no amount of cable adjustment or fiddling rectifies it so I have to remember to flick the adjuster to 6 to start the engine, possibly going to disable the switch in the near future.
    Any thoughts or tips would be gratefully received as I don't really see the point of it as I can't imagine all motorcyclists are that stupid they need a safety device!

    Anyway took the bike out for a spin and found the levers worked perfectly, in other words I changed gear and stopped ok, the floppiness in the clutch lever was not noticeable they were responsive and solid under my stubby fingers. The fact you can adjust the levers length wise ( with a single hex bolt on each, they seem secure but could lead to problems with loosening off through vibration, probably avoidable with some Loctite or a sprung washer) meant I could have them at different lengths for my left and right hand making operation more comfortable. Not being rounded like the originals you notice the sharp edges but that is eased by positioning the levers properly.

    There are more expensive ones out there and probably more solid but I liked the choice of different colours and the adjustable options.
    All in All not bad for the money. My only gripe is the clutch/starter safety switch not operating in certain positions but that can be rectified. (or is there something I missed?)

    $_57.jpg

    lever 1.jpg

    lever 2.jpg

    lever 3.jpg
     
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  2. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
    1,000
    Central France
    Hi Crispey, when I bought mine (similar style and source) I installed the front brake lever fine,but the clutch lever was sloppy. I looked again at the old levers and found a bush that I hadn't noticed before. Installed the bush into the new clutch lever and Bobby was your Mum's best friend.

    Do you put copper grease on the bushes?
     
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  3. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
    7,225
    1,000
    Uk
    What a numpty!! I found them and will chuck em in at the weekend! Cheers mate
     
  4. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
    1,000
    Central France
    :):):):):p:p:p:D:D:D:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
     
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  5. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
    7,225
    1,000
    Uk
    Ok put the bush from original clutch lever into new one and all floppiness has gone, plus the clutch safety switch now operates at any setting, update is that I don't have any gripes now!! Brake lever didn't need the bush.
     
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  6. Clarkey

    Clarkey Well-Known Member

    Sep 28, 2014
    236
    93
    Great reveiw but I still wouldn't buy anything from China due to the fact you don't know what material or the method of manufacturing or how they've been tested if at all
     
  7. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
    7,225
    1,000
    Uk
    I know what you mean but thought I'd take a punt and they've turned out to be pretty robust!
     
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  8. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
    1,000
    Central France
    I've had my Chinese levers for 4 years now - they have been completely without fault.
     
  9. Robin Sanderson

    Robin Sanderson Active Member

    Jul 14, 2015
    47
    28
    Peterborough
    Had the shorties on my (ahem) zx6r and they were brilliant. Will definitely be getting some for the trumpet. :)
     
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