I was running the roller coaster that is the B3212 between Exeter and Plymouth this morning, having a real hoot in not much traffic and surprisingly few ponies and sheep for a change and was musing how much more finesse I could apply to the front brake with a two finger or even one finger grip covering the front brake. Using all four fingers I was tending to snatch at it and over braking a bit, and it set me thinking. What about just swapping the front brake lever for a shorty but leaving the clutch as is as I'm perfectly comfortable with that the way it is. So. Is it okay from an MOT point of view to have asymmetric levers. It would look a bit odd I suppose but thoughts anyone?
Can't see there being a problem there Ken. So long as they both do there job I can't see it being an issue. I use stubby levers on my bike and as you say find it better when applying the brakes.
What difference did you find on the clutch though Colin when you swapped. In my head I'm visualising shorter lever, less leverage equals less pressure on the brake an so smoother application, but is the reverse true with the clutch where the longer lever and less leverage reduces fatigue. Or... Am I even making sense?
Making perfect sense mate. The stubby lever on the clutch side does make town work a little harder as more force is needed to pull it in. Not a problem on the brake side, but it can get a little sore after a while when pulling in the clutch all the time.
As far as i know there should be no problem about the lengths being different for an MOT, if I am wrong I apologise upfront and will galdly fall on my sword......feeling a bit dramatic today, must be all that riding . I have a long clutch lever and short brake. I prefer the look of shorties but like the longer clutch lever as I personally am able to get a bit more feel with it. The short brake lever is fine, they are not that short anyway really and even when harsh braking I still find two fingers enough. The design I think is relevent, mine are pazzos and they are angled reasonably close to the grips. Strange, I use two fingers for a lot of things. Oeer
Yes it's fine and dandy. Can i introduce you to Honda CBR 1000 RR '08 > If you're interested, message Gennaro Esposito on Facebook and tell him i sent you his way, or pm me for an email address or number. He's in London, a friend of mine, and the UK importer of them. I will get photo's of mine asap as i have the lever and remote adjuster. It's fantastic quality and looks brilliant! Bongo
His contact email is [email protected] His name is Gennaro Esposito, now a Londoner, but italian dude. Top fella i've known for a few years who races with BEMSEE now. He is also on the Metaltech website as the newly crowned sole UK importer. If you do get in touch, can you be so kind as to mention that i put you onto him(!) He's helping me out for the racing so it's always good to hear if i've got him some business lol. I'll get pics up as soon as my bike is back from Pipewerx
Yes, my stubby clutch drives me mad! I end up riding with my hand at the very end of the bars, as the v your fingers sit in is way to far over. The brake however is fine...?
It makes me wonder if the old BMW configuration wasn't that archaic after all, with the lever around the other way and the fulcrum in the bar end with the cable running inside the bar. The two strongest fingers are the ones at the point of optimum mechanical advantage. Mind you, you probably needed both hands to stop them buggers.
Wish I hadn't read this. Just put bike in today for MOT and service (Honda Marshall) and they are fitting some ASV stubby levers for me, brake and clutch. I tried a bike with stubby levers and loved it, but I'll admit it wasn't riding through town. Still the ride home should be fun I'll let you know how it went.
It's not that bad to be honest mate. If your stuck in town then yes it gets a little sore but even at that it's only a niggle.
