Author Topic: Brake & clutch levers  (Read 529 times)

Offline sye

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Brake & clutch levers
« on: August 06, 2018, 08:33:35 PM »
Is it worth paying three times as much for a genuine lever or are the aftermarket ones good?

Offline philward

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Re: Brake & clutch levers
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2018, 08:37:44 PM »
In my opinion - no. But depends if your hung up or total originality.
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Offline Rob62

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Re: Brake & clutch levers
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2018, 08:47:14 PM »
If the aftermarket ones are manufactured by an oe manufacturer they will be fine. But if they are very cheap they will probably snap in the event of even a minor drama, leaving you struggling to ride home, decent ones will bend first.

Offline Green1

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Re: Brake & clutch levers
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2018, 08:52:15 PM »
I bought Genuine for my 750 when I first got it. It was knocked over within weeks of being on the road snapping the clutch leaver.
About 4 1/2 years on its still got a pattern one on it the only difference is it doesn't have the black rubber bit on the end.
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Offline Rob62

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Re: Brake & clutch levers
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2018, 08:55:38 PM »
Aye well, theres always an exception to the norm...  :) but generally speaking decent alloy suitable for the job will be tough and will bend before snapping, wheras low grade material will ping as-soon as its stressed

Offline Green1

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Re: Brake & clutch levers
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2018, 09:00:46 PM »
I suppose I could drop it on the left side again and report back whether it snaps or bends.
I dropped it on the right side last year and that leaver didn't bend or snap.
Current bikes
Honda CB750k1 Valley Green Metallic
Honda CB750k1 Candy Gold
Honda CB550k Candy Jade Green
Honda CG125
Aprilia Pegaso 650
Moto guzzi 1200 sport
Kawasaki EX650R (Mine until dave pays for it)
Kawasaki ZXR400 J

Offline matthewmosse

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Re: Brake & clutch levers
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2018, 09:39:01 PM »
Daily use bike, just go pattern. Rivet counter resto, you might spend the extra. I have snapped a few leavers over the years, not found genuine or pattern to be any less prone to breakage, even if they don't break but bend they need replacement asap anyway as the ergonomics are wrong. Straightening them rarely works and not really worth the effort plus if they are weakened it's better to play it safe. I think whether they snap is just down to luck on how they impact the ground or if they snag on roughness on the ground etc.
Got a 500/4 with rust and a sidecar and loadsa bits. nice and original and been round the clock

Offline Trigger

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Re: Brake & clutch levers
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2018, 09:44:25 PM »
Most of the repro ones have a bigger ball on the end so, the OEM rubber will not fit  ;) Always finding OEM levers on ebay for around the tenner mark  ;)

Hard to find original lever as, they had a hard covering on them.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2018, 10:10:22 PM by Trigger »

Offline Green1

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Re: Brake & clutch levers
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2018, 10:26:02 PM »
Do you mean the translucent sleeve that serves no purpose other then going yellow and looking crap. 
Current bikes
Honda CB750k1 Valley Green Metallic
Honda CB750k1 Candy Gold
Honda CB550k Candy Jade Green
Honda CG125
Aprilia Pegaso 650
Moto guzzi 1200 sport
Kawasaki EX650R (Mine until dave pays for it)
Kawasaki ZXR400 J

Offline sye

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Re: Brake & clutch levers
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2018, 04:04:46 PM »
Thanks all, I will keep an eye on eBay for a while and get the repro ones if I have no joy. £36.00 for two levers is extortion!

 

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