I want adjustable clutch & brake levers: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:New Riders]]

__TOC__

If you find the position of the levers on your EX250 not to your liking, there are some alternatives.

====Clutch====

For help with removing and re-installing the levers, see [[Replacing clutch & brake levers]].

==Clutch==

If you can't find a good hand position via the [[Adjusting the clutch cable|clutch cable adjusters]], then you can replace the perch and lever with an adjustable model. The easiest way is to stay with Kawasaki parts. You can install one from an EX500. There are no drawbacks to this modification.

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*EX500: All D series, from 1994-->present

~~You~~ don't want the kind which has a single piece ring mount. Those are similar to the stock EX250 part, which needs to be slid down off the bar, after everything else is taken off.

If you're not sure of what you're getting and only have a picture, note that you don't want the kind which has a single-piece ring mount. Those are similar to the stock EX250 part, which needs to be slid down off the bar, after everything else is taken off. Also note that many sellers on eBay sell the lever and the perch separately, and used is not necessarily a lot cheaper than new.

Below is the clutch perch and lever from an EX500.

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[[Image:clutch lever EX500.jpg|200px]]

====Brake====

==Brake==

The EX500 brake lever replaces the EX250 brake lever and is available through eBay or Ron Ayers. Part number: 13236-1185. Any model with the same part number will also work.

[http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_91_112&products_id=160 Murph's Kits] sells an aftermarket version for the Concours (same part number) for about 1/2 the price. ~~It installs~~ the same as the ~~OEM version~~ and ~~works~~ well.

[http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_91_112&products_id=160 Murph's Kits] sells an aftermarket version for the Concours (same part number) for about 1/2 the price. These install the same as the EX500 lever and work well. They look like this:

[[image:IMGP6214.JPG|150px]]

[[image:IMGP6228.JPG|150px]]

~~'''~~Installation - Brake Lever~~'''~~

====Installation - Brake Lever====

Simple as pie. Remove the pivot bolt (unscrew the nut side first, VERY important). Remove lever, replace w/ new lever. 5 minutes.

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[[Image:Adj Lever Installed.jpg|200px]]

====A note on color====

==A note on color==

The EX500 levers have the same part # from '94-->now. This means they should all be black. You should check with your seller before you buy, though, just to make sure. It's impossible to tell from the online fiche what color it is.

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If you want your levers to be polished in color, you're going to have to work with your dealer, aftermarket seller, or moto-recycler. The FAQ staff is unsure exactly which ones will fit at this time.

====Bend or break?====

==Bend or break?==

A general of thumb is that OEM clutch and brake levers will bend on impact, while aftermarket ones will break. You may have to consider how this will impact you, and make it part of your buying decision. There have also been reports of some of the OEM adjustable levers breaking.

A general rule of thumb is that OEM clutch and brake levers will bend on impact, while aftermarket ones will break. You may have to consider how this will impact you and make it part of your buying decision. There have also been reports of some of the OEM adjustable levers breaking.

One other thing: Aftermarket adjustable levers tend not to include the adjustment wheel; they assume your bike came with adjustable levers and that you'll pull it out of your stock lever. This is not always true, but is something to keep in mind when ordering. The factory ones come with the wheel and pin in place.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 [[Category:New Riders]]
 __TOC__
 If you find the position of the levers on your EX250 not to your liking, there are some alternatives.
-====Clutch====
+For help with removing and re-installing the levers, see [[Replacing clutch & brake levers]].
+==Clutch==
 If you can't find a good hand position via the [[Adjusting the clutch cable|clutch cable adjusters]], then you can replace the perch and lever with an adjustable model. The easiest way is to stay with Kawasaki parts. You can install one from an EX500. There are no drawbacks to this modification.
@@ Line 17: / Line 20: @@
 *EX500: All D series, from 1994-->present
-You don't want the kind which has a single piece ring mount. Those are similar to the stock EX250 part, which needs to be slid down off the bar, after everything else is taken off.
+If you're not sure of what you're getting and only have a picture, note that you don't want the kind which has a single-piece ring mount. Those are similar to the stock EX250 part, which needs to be slid down off the bar, after everything else is taken off. Also note that many sellers on eBay sell the lever and the perch separately, and used is not necessarily a lot cheaper than new.
 Below is the clutch perch and lever from an EX500.
@@ Line 23: / Line 26: @@
 [[Image:clutch lever EX500.jpg|200px]]
-====Brake====
+==Brake==
 The EX500 brake lever replaces the EX250 brake lever and is available through eBay or Ron Ayers. Part number: 13236-1185. Any model with the same part number will also work.
-[http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_91_112&products_id=160 Murph's Kits] sells an aftermarket version for the Concours (same part number) for about 1/2 the price. It installs the same as the OEM version and works well.
+[http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_91_112&products_id=160 Murph's Kits] sells an aftermarket version for the Concours (same part number) for about 1/2 the price. These install the same as the EX500 lever and work well. They look like this:
+[[image:IMGP6214.JPG|150px]]
+[[image:IMGP6228.JPG|150px]]
-'''Installation - Brake Lever'''
+====Installation - Brake Lever====
 Simple as pie. Remove the pivot bolt (unscrew the nut side first, VERY important). Remove lever, replace w/ new lever. 5 minutes.
@@ Line 39: / Line 45: @@
 [[Image:Adj Lever Installed.jpg|200px]]
-====A note on color====
+==A note on color==
 The EX500 levers have the same part # from '94-->now. This means they should all be black. You should check with your seller before you buy, though, just to make sure. It's impossible to tell from the online fiche what color it is.
@@ Line 45: / Line 51: @@
 If you want your levers to be polished in color, you're going to have to work with your dealer, aftermarket seller, or moto-recycler. The FAQ staff is unsure exactly which ones will fit at this time.
-====Bend or break?====
+==Bend or break?==
-A general of thumb is that OEM clutch and brake levers will bend on impact, while aftermarket ones will break. You may have to consider how this will impact you, and make it part of your buying decision. There have also been reports of some of the OEM adjustable levers breaking.
+A general rule of thumb is that OEM clutch and brake levers will bend on impact, while aftermarket ones will break. You may have to consider how this will impact you and make it part of your buying decision. There have also been reports of some of the OEM adjustable levers breaking.
 One other thing: Aftermarket adjustable levers tend not to include the adjustment wheel; they assume your bike came with adjustable levers and that you'll pull it out of your stock lever. This is not always true, but is something to keep in mind when ordering. The factory ones come with the wheel and pin in place.