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+--- Thread: Update on my new cheap Chinese levers (/showthread.php?tid=9346)
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Update on my new cheap Chinese levers - uscgmac_imp - 04-13-2016
I don't want to start a panic so I'll start off by saying that my levers were fine and worked as expected with no problems. I was doing some more research on the levers and was watching a ton of video's and started comming across several ones with people having their front brakes locking up and some crashing due to this. Some riders from different bikes on different forums and YouTube videos were complaining about the brake lever ever so slightly depressing the brake plunger and causing the brake to be slightly engaged which caused a build up in pressure then locking the front brake unexpectedly resulting in a crash. If the machining is ever so slightly off even by a couple of mm this could happen or if the spring fails. Being that our brake plunger does not use a pin with an indent in the handle like on the clutch side it may not be as much of an issue but after hearing about this potential problem I decided to put the stock levers back on for now. I know some have been using the Chinese levers for some time now and wanted to get some more advice and opinions before I use them again. The end result could be hundreds of dollars if not thousands in damages and even death if this happens. I don't know if I'm now willing to risk the cheap levers after aquiring this new knowledge.
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Let me also add that the riders with the problems stated that they installed the levers correctly and that the brake light was not engaged giving no warning that the brake was ever so slightly engaged. They experienced what they initially thought was a loss of power due to the bike being restricted with the unexpected building up of front brake pressure as the rotors and fluid got hotter and hotter. Some had suggester that they either were sent the wrong levers by the company and installed them or incorrectly installed them. The riders stated the install was correct and the levers did not appear to be deceftive to the naked eye. Also this happend mainly on sport bikes.
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RE: Update on my new cheap Chinese levers - Ulvetanna_imp - 04-13-2016
This is exactly right. Several riders on my GSX-R forum have had this experience. There are detailed threads explaining why this happens, but as you rightly stated, it is because of the design of the levers, and leads to a completely lockup of the front brakes. Use OEM or high-quality parts.
I had CRG and Pazzo levers on one of my bikes, never had any issues with them, but after switching back to the OEM levers after a few thousand miles, noticed how much more comfortable and effective the OEM parts were. The lever ratios were better and the radius on the lever itself was more comfortable on the hands. I'll not use aftermarket again.
RE: Update on my new cheap Chinese levers - jedd_imp - 04-13-2016
THX for the FYI...never knew this...and was about to buy one of them for my Vstrom.
RE: Update on my new cheap Chinese levers - INTP_imp - 04-13-2016
I have put over 10k miles on my bike with these levers. I have never had any issues.
RE: Update on my new cheap Chinese levers - uscgmac_imp - 04-13-2016
(04-13-2016, 02:27 AM)INTP_imp Wrote: I have put over 10k miles on my bike with these levers. I have never had any issues.
This will not happen to everyone. Im sure most will be fine. Most have been fine except for the ones who reported it and unfortunatly it was too late for them. Its just a FYI. Just like when a recall is put out. Will it effect everyone, of coasre not but can you be the one in a couple thousand that it does happen to, well you decide.
RE: Update on my new cheap Chinese levers - Toddman_imp - 04-13-2016
This has been a long standing problem with aftermarket levers. Even back in the '70s we had to grind the contact points of some levers to make them feel right. The problem was the nub pushing against the master cylinder contact point that needed a bit of filing. I just put a set of the 'cheaper' sets on my Busa and they actually fit great. Be sure to add grease where needed.
RE: Update on my new cheap Chinese levers - Tabasco_imp - 04-13-2016
I ordered and had those Chinese short levers installed, but took them off the same day and put back the stock ones. They just didn't feel right on the bike. Used to have them on my previous bike Yamaha FZ6 and they worked and looked good, but on CB stock levers look and feel much better.
RE: Update on my new cheap Chinese levers - ryanschillinger_imp - 04-13-2016
Only thing with stock clutch lever is using 2 fingers, the lever hits my ring finger on the 2nd knuckle. Not the worst thing ever, but I understand the aftermarket levers are designed to avoid this contact.
RE: Update on my new cheap Chinese levers - Huladog_imp - 05-06-2016
I've gone back to the stock factory levers from the shorty levers because the reduced leverage was noticeable under hard braking. It felt like the front brake just wasn't as strong as it should have felt.
Back to the standard length brake lever and the front brake feels like it should, not like I needed to change to aftermarket pads or something.
Aloha,
Huladog
RE: Update on my new cheap Chinese levers - olekzap_imp - 05-06-2016
I had a cheap pair of these as well (link below) and only used them for a couple months before going back to the stock levers. They were just too wobbly feeling no matter how much I tightened things. Reading this about the front brakes makes me glad I took them off. I clutch and brake with just two fingers so I thought shorter levers would be better. In reality the cheap feeling is too much to get over. I don't regret switching back. I wouldn't mind spending money on high quality folding levers in the future though.
http://www.amazon.com/CTG-CH-105-Adjustable-special-2013-2014-Black/dp/B00MK28P1W?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00