great idea

[stoinkythepig]

All this crash discussion lately got me thinking about a great idea I got from Gene Kinzell, a guy from a couple of lists I subscribe to and someone with unreal amounts of riding experience.

Gene's Idea:

Using a hack saw, cut a small slot on the back side of the front brake and clutch levers about 2" from the outside ends. The cut will weaken the lever just enough so that when you do crash the bike, the lever will break right at the cut. This will leave enough lever left to allow you to keep riding, assuming the bike is still rideable. Otherwise, the lever can break at it's base leaving you stranded. The cut will be practically invisible and does not need to be deeper than 1/8" or so.

[Kham]

what about frame slider?

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by Kham
what about frame slider?

I wouldn't cut into those. You wouldn't want them to break at all.

I don't know if frame sliders would always prevent the levers from breaking and this idea would never affect anything if you never crashed so they aren't mutually exclusive preventative measures.

[theron19d]

I don't think the frame slider is going to protect your levers. That's a good idea for a race bike but I'm not about to do that to my street bike even though my clutch lever is already bent pretty good from a crash.

[Stoneman]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
All this crash discussion lately got me thinking about a great idea I got from Gene Kinzell, a guy from a couple of lists I subscribe to and someone with unreal amounts of riding experience.

Gene's Idea:

Using a hack saw, cut a small slot on the back side of the front brake and clutch levers about 2" from the outside ends. The cut will weaken the lever just enough so that when you do crash the bike, the lever will break right at the cut. This will leave enough lever left to allow you to keep riding, assuming the bike is still rideable. Otherwise, the lever can break at it's base leaving you stranded. The cut will be practically invisible and does not need to be deeper than 1/8" or so.

Not at all to be a smart ass. But you've never heard of this? Some aftermarket levers even come already 'notched' too. A lot of racers do this to their levers. In fact, I've seen a few that 'notch' what remains of their subframes for the same reason...

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by Stoneman
Not at all to be a smart ass. But you've never heard of this? Some aftermarket levers even come already 'notched' too. A lot of racers do this to their levers. In fact, I've seen a few that 'notch' what remains of their subframes for the same reason...

Nope, new to me. Bear in mind, I've never set foot on a race track.

[Stoneman]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
Nope, new to me. Bear in mind, I've never set foot on a race track.

It's not limited to race track use. I've seen this done many times on streetbikes too. And like I said, a lot of aftermarket levers (non OEM) come already notched. I'm actually surprised you've never heard of this...

[stoinkythepig]

mom did say I was a special boy...

I was able to clean up some cold solders in the ignition module of my Concours last night and it's reliably running on 4 cylinders again (first time since June). Does that help redeem me?

Piece of crap ignition module broke down after only 17 years. Kawasaki sure makes junk.

[Stoneman]

mom did say I was a special boy...

I was able to clean up some cold solders in the ignition module of my Concours last night and it's reliably running on 4 cylinders again (first time since June). Does that help redeem me?

Um, no. But a bottle of Cabo Wabo Anejo sure would!

Piece of crap ignition module broke down after only 17 years. Kawasaki sure makes junk.

Yip. Guess it's time to trash the ol' dog. Um, the Kawi that is...

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by Stoneman





Yip. Guess it's time to trash the ol' dog. Um, the Kawi that is...

I'm giving it another 93,000 miles and that's it. If it fails after that, I'll get rid of it.

[Stoneman]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
I'm giving it another 93,000 miles and that's it. If it fails after that, I'll get rid of it.

HA!

[bemused]

[TLRMan]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
All this crash discussion lately got me thinking about a great idea I got from Gene Kinzell, a guy from a couple of lists I subscribe to and someone with unreal amounts of riding experience.

Gene's Idea:

Using a hack saw, cut a small slot on the back side of the front brake and clutch levers about 2" from the outside ends. The cut will weaken the lever just enough so that when you do crash the bike, the lever will break right at the cut. This will leave enough lever left to allow you to keep riding, assuming the bike is still rideable. Otherwise, the lever can break at it's base leaving you stranded. The cut will be practically invisible and does not need to be deeper than 1/8" or so.

What worked for me is, I NEVER fully tighten the clamps that hold the levers.
Just tight enough not to move while engaging, but loose enough to move by hand with a little force. Saved me once already...

[TheIglu]

My Ducati's levers come notched from the factory......

[legalspeed]

The '01 Gixxer 1k's did too, guess they planned on a lot of riders crashing 'em!!

[Stoneman]

Come to think of it, my TL-R does too. Hmmmm....