Ducati Monster Forum

I bought and installed a set of eBay knock-off roll-a-click levers from the popular seller, mlabel. Unlike a few of the previous reviews I've read, I also have a set of pazzo shorty levers on hand to compare against.

In short I conclude that the eBay levers NOT not worth the ~$100 savings over pazzo or CRG, and here's why in order of increasing relevance:

1) the clickers are supposed to be anodized red but they look pink. Really ugly and sticks out when viewed next to the pazzo levers. My neighbor even asked "what do the pink things do?"

2) the fillets (radiuses) around the edges of the lever are way too small. The back sides of each lever especially feel sharp. Because the clutch side which gets pulled in further, it cut into your fingers if you don't leave all four on the lever when you engage. Very uncomfortable and lame. Yes one could wear gloves, but so what.

3) the worst thing of all is that the play/slop in the levers is terrible. I measured the tolerances in the two bearing fits within each lever compared to stock and the pazzo and found that the eBay levers have over twice as much clearance with each bore as both the pazzo and the stock levers. In other words, if Ducati designed in a 0.004" clearance for the bushings, the Chinese ones usually had around 0.010" or so. This results in way too much wobble/slop in the levers considering you're only saving $100 over the other brands.

Otherwise I found the levers very similar. The black anodizing was high quality and while there were more obvious machine marks on the eBay levers, it wasn't terrible. Even my pazzo's show a lot of machining marks. It's because they're machined ;)

I wouldn't buy again and don't recommend them. You can fix them by making new bushings, but why should I have to bother? Besides, the first two items on the list can't be fixed.

FWIW, I have both knock-offs (not mlabel) and Pazzos, and my knock-offs are indistinguishable from the Pazzos.

Which brand of knock-offs did you buy? They don't have more slop than your pazzo's?

Mine came from "The2Wheels," and have no more play/slop than the Pazzos. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Folding-Foldable-Levers-Ducati-Monster-S4RS-M1100-S-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4155cea8fcQQitemZ280612481276QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_9578wt_1013 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Folding-Foldable-Levers-Ducati-Monster-S4RS-M1100-S-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4155cea8fcQQitemZ280612481276QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_9578wt_1013)

Wow, wish I knew this and saw those first. I might pick them up. In the mean time I've got some Motowheels folding levers on their way.

Am I the only one that doesn't like "shorty" levers? Not enough leverage.

So if you bought them that would be at least 5 different sets of levers, including stock. You can be the official lever review guy!

do me a favor when you get those (if you can) weigh them.

Good is heavy. I have FP racing levers (retail $199, i got them on a xmas deal for $159 with lvl 3 anodizing for +$10 more)

i have gone down on them twice. they are perfectly fine, even though one of them destroyed my clip on tube and was in excess of 60mph on a corner around NJMP.

I also have FP levers. Good quality at a reasonable price.

Boris the Blade - Weight is a sign of reliability (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX0MB7pJtKs#normal)

I'm with DucHead, my fleaBay non-folding adjustable levers are indistinguishable from the CRG/Pazzo jobbers.

riding with knock-offs would make me feel cheap.

frugal. not cheap.

could you happen to post a pic of your levers?  i'm thinking about getting the ones that xplodee linked... but wondering if they would suffer from the pink lever vs red lever issue.

i know i could probably get them in black, but i've always like the contrast of the red vs the black on this type...

I'll post a pic this evening.  My adjusters are dark red.

cool thanks :D

How long did it take everyone to get thier levers? I ordered some from mlabel about three weeks ago and still have yet to see them.

i got my rizoma reverse retro knock offs from ebay, and it took close to 4-5ish weeks... it did get there though, and they did warn me that around xmas it would be even slower than usual.  i'm guessing you should factor in about a month before anything gets to you from the HK sellers.

what are the adjustable levers good for?  i.e. i see the selector dial, and i'm guessing it changes the length of pull for the lever?   can't you just adjust that with the stock ones?  is there a need to change that length of pull more often?

Also would they fit my monster 800sie?  it doesn't list it as a compatible model...

No, you can't adjust the throw on the stock levers. The benefit is that you can adjust the lever to fit the size of your hand and your preferences. I didn't think it would be a big deal until I bought some on a whim and now I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't adjust them often, but having the ability to tweak them is really convenient.

Pazzos on the right, Chinese version on the left:
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/pompino/076ce5d9.jpg)

Pazzos with red adjusters on the left, Chinese lever on the right:
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d147/pompino/42535368.jpg)
The Pazzo levers on this bike are about 3 years old, so the adjusters have faded a bit.


10 days.

^^ The Chinese levers you show are nothing like the ones I received. Mine are IDENTICAL to the ones mounted on the bike in your pics... even the numbers cast into it are identical.


Pretty sure that there are a few factories producing levers... In fact it is rumored Pazzo is farming them out to China. After seeing my levers I beleive it...they are identical and have no slop at all.

Here are the knock-offs I purchased.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/theartfuldubber/IMG_20110323_185156.jpg)

Absolutely top notch and the lever is nice and red. I will agree there are a few edges that could stand to little more beveling, but you'd have to be REALLY looking for a reason to disparage them to consider it offensive, even compared to the high dollar units.

I also recently purchased ebay knock-offs.  I bought them from moto-777.  Shortly after purchasing the levers I got an email... "We wish to take this opportunity to notify you about a temporary suspension that we volunteered in regard to a copyright report."  I still got them in about 2 weeks, and they are awesome.  No slop at all, fully adjustable and folding to boot, the red looks red, no complaints.

I sure hope those Chinese can start doing the R&D to come up with nifty new designs, because thanks to folks who buy knock-offs the original design companies are going to go out of business.

And before you think this is some anti-Chinese rant, I give the same speech to folks who buy domestic-made knock-offs too.
 
Knock-off = theft in my book.

???  The levers in the first pic are identical - both radial.  The mounted lever in the second pic is a non-radial lever.

Bullshit.

I don't think Pazzo put a loads of R&D into their design which is essentially a CRG knock-off.

Did you voice your concern when the Pazzos were introduced?

thanks for the pics... i'll probably order them now... it was the next thing up on my list of things to do :)

and i agree with the pazzo/crg lever knock offs... i mean... there really isnt that much more you can do to clutch/brake lever in terms of design i think... but then again, i recently saw these isr levers and they just look awesome:

(http://www.ducatiperformance.com/images/isr-clutch-master-cylinder.jpg)

I got mine in the mail this morning. I got the shorty ones with the red levers. They feel and look pretty good. I'm going to install them tonight.

Yep. I could probably find the post too.

ASV C-5's FTW.
I realize this thread is about relatively cheap knock-offs and the ASV's are neither, but they offer by far the greatest range of adjustability (3 inches) in the finest increments (100 clicks of the dial adjuster). I always had CRG's on my Monsters and got the ASV's for my Hyper and they are by far my favorite now.

Do so, and I'll eat my words and post the "all kneel" emoticon.   :)

 [laugh]

I think it's on TOB (and my laziness trumps my desire to be "right"), but I was specifically pregnant doging about the CRG lanesplitter knock-offs from Pazzo.

Regardless, buy whatever you want. In thinking about it again, without a patent it technically isn't stealing. Beats me if there's a patent or not.

Mind you, you'll be hypocrite if you complain later when the company vanishes (see also, CycleCat, RoadRacing, etc. etc.)

Also git off my lawn. [coffee]

Anyone seen these yet? They look pretty interesting and quite adjustable. I wonder if the have the tab on the clutch lever that will let you start the bike in gear.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/09-10-696-MONSTER-Black-Folding-Levers-Ducati-Logo-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19c367681cQQitemZ110652516380QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/09-10-696-MONSTER-Black-Folding-Levers-Ducati-Logo-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19c367681cQQitemZ110652516380QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

Meh, I didn't have enough coffee yesterday (or whenever I posted that).

I've got CRG levers and two sets of Pazzos, and I've pretty much decided on CRG Arrow mirrors for the nekkid Bandit project.

I got my levers in yesterday. They surprisingly look good. No sharp edges, the color is nice. The one question I have is on the adjuster bolt in the picture. The one on my stock levers has some sort of glue on the outside to hold the bolt in place. How far do I need to adjust it in and should I use some loctite on it once adjusted?
(http://mb-imaging.net/ducati/levers.jpg)

Maybe it's just me, but buying a set of these things is akin to buying a Rolex watch at the markets in Hong Kong.
These parts (originals) cost money because the companies that make them have researched the perfect design & quality of materials to ensure that they work, and keep on working for years.

You've shelled out on the best bike marque in the world, why cheapen it with Chinese crap?

Sure, I bet it took months in the wind tunnel to get the shape of the lever just right and a team of 12 metallurgists to perfect the alloy.   [roll]

"Chinese crap" seems a little unfair.  Have you seen or held the levers?

I got a compliment on mine the other day *from a person who owns CRG levers*. Philosophical differences aside, you can't knock them on build quality or finish.

You need 1-1.5 mm free play.  The levers from the factory have epoxy on the screws to discourage people from make the beast with two backsing with them.  Do you need loctite?  Dunno, different levers.  I would hit them with a dab of paint, ride and see if they move.

Blue loctite never hurts on something that doesn't need to be moving on its own. :)

offhand, if you found out that crg or pazzo made their levers in the same factory with the same alum... would that make a diff to you?

and when it comes to stuff like this... i can understand buying the high dollar orig if it was something that was complex (e.g. a slipper clutch upgrade, or suspension) but something they just cnc mill out of one piece of aluminum?  meh.

Whether or not they're made in the same factory wouldn't mean anything. I'm a manufacturing engineer by education and perform product development and manage production and quality control by trade: it all comes down to quality control. One manufacturer can spec parts from another manufacturer but that doesn't mean both are the same. Tolerances can be wider or tighter depending on what you want to pay for and judging by my mlabel parts, theyre ok with wider. For these parts it really has nothing to do with materials, its more about tolerances.

Many would be surprised at all the different parts in one of these lever assemblies, I was pretty impressed when I took mine apart. The design is not simple and the tolerances of all of these parts will determine how nice the final assembly "feels."

But hey, if you want some cheap levers with pink adjusters and sloppy bushings, be my guest. They're priced well and thats a big feature. My experience concludes that the mlabel levers don't achieve the same level of quality as the pazzo's that I own. This conclusion is based on my trade experience, education, and my inspection of one set of levers.

The other brand of lever may be great, but I haven't inspected it and therefor cannot conclude upon it.

All this being said, its my preference to use a nicer lever, but that's just my preference. To each his own.

I didn't mean to intentionally offend anyone with my earlier comments, as previously stated; each to their own.
I just figure that for a part that really doesn't cost all that much in the first place, why not put the real thing on there? You've chosen to ride a Ducati, not a Suzuki, Yamaha or Zongshen bike, so I just don't really get it, that's all.

I've just finished putting my Pazzo's on (about 20 min's ago) & couldn't be happier, and that is the real test.

If you're happy with the cheapies, I say go for it.
(http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo325/dan_thackray/P3300010.jpg)

I don't care if each one was personally shat out by the celestial dragon of billet perfection. Doing a great job with a stolen design is still stealing.

Show me a Chinese (or wherever) company with a great original design, or a license on the design, or a design that doesn't need to be licensed and I'll beat a path to their door.

Ha, ha, ha, you crack me up!
 [clap] [laugh] [clap] [laugh] [clap] [laugh] [clap] [laugh] [clap]

If we were talking about a part that was seriously engineered... say a swingarm, slipper clutch, or hell, a master cylinder... I'd agree.

But we are talking about levers with an adjustment that is a cam with indentations.  The only thing inventive about them is the adjuster and, honestly, thats really not that novel (my old dirtbike used the same thing for chain tension).  Any guy with the capitol to buy and tool a CNC machine after he took one semester of classes (probably not even that much) could put together these levers and start selling them.

hmmm... but what about like... a afamm 14t front sprocket for about $30 vs a dp 14t front sprocket for $70?  literally the same part, machined out of the same metal, and ducati did all the work designing the part and i'm pretty sure that afamm isnt paying them any license fees for it.  and in truth, prob the same complexity of construction as the levers.

or how about any cf part that didnt come directly from ducati?  even if it is better and cheaper and still from a solid brand... just another knockoff?

I'm out of the conversation from here on in about whether or not it's "worth it," as we've already agreed that it's a personal preference. However I gotta respond to poster "thought's" comments above:


Drawing this analogy suggests that you've never actually inspected one of these levers before, at least in detail, whether it be an import or a US one and that you're not very well versed in manufacturing. The reality is that these levers are actually not a simple design, they're quite complex. Believe it or not, there are eight (EIGHT!) unique machined components within each lever, plus approximately eleven pieces of hardware. Each unique component has it's own set of critical geometries contributing to or detracting from the final fit, finish and feel of the completed assembly. That these Asian OEM's are able to manufacture and sell this product for ~$60 is quite a feat, but I've seen it before when there's no state-side distribution or customer support.

Regarding your analogy, "a sprocket is a sprocket," my response is that a sprocket is a commodity part (just like a NORMAL lever would be) and is not proprietary to any one person or manufacturer. It's a stamped piece of metal, one where the material grade matters, but all countries have been manufacturing sprockets for decades if not centuries. Comparing a sprocket to an 8-piece machined assembly doesn't really work.

Back to the lever, somebody smart came up with a novel design for a an adjustable and precision lever. Who ever it was I don't know nor do I pretend to. We all assume it was an American, who knows who actually came up with it. I have never seen an actual patent number referenced from ANY manufacturer of these levers, and legally, if you have a patent then you have to disclose that either on the original packaging of the product or on the product itself. A patent would be the only legal protection that any inventor has of their proprietary design. Ethics just doesn't apply most of the time in manufacturing. You can't receive a licence fee if you don't have a patent!


Again, this analogy doesn't make sense. Carbon fiber is nothing more than a material. Anyone can make a carbon fiber body part for a bike, there's nothing proprietary about that either (unlike the design of our levers), but the difference between a good carbon fiber body piece and a bad one is still about QUALITY. DP makes some nice CF pieces, the imports generally are not as nice, again from my personal experience (I've returned a lot of carbon fiber parts). Whether or not you want to buy the import comes down to personal preference, priorities, attention to detail, and appreciation for manufacturing.

Now, if someone wanted to make a rip-off of the new carbon fiber structural subframe for the 696/796/1100 models that Belissimoto is selling, that would definitely be a copy of someone's unique hard work. It took engineering to make that carbon fiber subframe structurally sound. I wouldn't trust ANY other company to copy it safely.

hmmm... so...

oe knockoff of adjustable levers = ok (and by this i mean levers like the oe 796 ones which are adjustable)

non oe knockoff of adjustable lever = not ok?

and yeah, not that read up on auto parts manufacturing, but my family business is in jewelry design/manufacturing which is more by hand than machine.  so we've had more than our fair share of knock off's of our designs etc... so i understand pain of design theft (tiffany even stole one of our designs before which was annoying...  because they jacked the markup way way higher than ours) and production tolerances.  and if you think the tolerances are tight for a lever, imagine trying to design/manufacture a link and clasp made out of 24k gold that is strong enough to hold up to daily use, but also needs to be cheap and fast to manufacture, looks good, allows the necklace to lay flat on the neck, and isn't ridiculously heavy.  but you're right in the fact that i've never taken apart one of the levers.

also, one point that you just assume is that because it's cheaper, it means that it's not as good and that asian manufacturing in no way can compare to the pazzo etc quality.  but i'm sure you know that as the process gets older, you get better at it... and these have been made for quite a while now.  the difference is that we have to judge the quality of the levers by the ebay seller as opposed to the name brand.  which basically makes the ebay seller the name brand.

my point was more of a "if someone makes basically the same part cheaper, what's the diff?", though i do understand drunken's point about a moral standpoint and i respect that.  but right now for the quality argument, based on reviews, there is little to no diff btwn the copies in question and the crg/pazzo ones.  and cnc machining isn't super demanding compared to other methods.  so in end, based on the current copy levers in question, they are basically the same... and only the name brand separates the two different levers.  "feel" is a totally personal decision however and cant really be counted imo... because it will change person to person.

right now, xplodee, you're arguing more about semantics than anything else when it comes to the commodity product vs non commodity.  the only real commodity in this equation is the metal they cut it out of.  any manufactured good is not a commodity because they all go through the same basic process.  quality control differs of course, but then you make the choice, like you said, based on quality and history.  and every company, no matter what they make, does not have a 100% perfect record of quality control.  i bring in the cf/sprocket manufacturing in because there are a lot of equivalent products being made, some cheaper and better, some more expensive but worse.  and i'm sure that if you told whoever is currently making those parts that what they are making doesnt count as a product because "its just a fiber" or "a lot of other people make it"... they will then tell you about the issues about laying the weave correctly and a whole lot more about the curing for the cf, and then repeat to you what you said to me in your last post for the sprockets.  but you just assume that the quality is worse in the cheaper chinese version because it's cheaper.

and also... you make a point about saying that you havent seen any lever have a patent yet... yet you say that the levers are a proprietary design?  if it doesnt have a patent, and if it can be made to the same level of quality as the "originals"... doesnt that make the levers a "commodity" product in your definition?

in the end, like you said, it just comes down to personal preference and, and here's the big one, perception.  people perceive that the more expensive product is better.  sometimes it is, sometimes it's not, but biggest example that you should look at here was the decline of american cars vs rise of japanese cars.  all the arguments made by you are the same that were made of asian manufacture back then... cheaper, lack of quality, etc etc... but in time, they got better... and still cheaper.

(http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/4/ibtl00183f.jpg)

yeah, i figured it was getting there right before i hit post >.<  haha

No, I think we're all being pretty civil. I appreciate 'thought's' points and don't disagree all that much.

To clarify some valid points that thought brought up, use of the word commodity was probably a poor choice, to use thought's own words, let's call a sprocket a well used part that has stood the test of time and is mass produced by all manufacturers in one form or another, perhaps similar to a common type of chain used in thought's jewelry market.

The lever however is more of a creative invention, such as thought's unique design that was ripped off by Tiffany's. In the case of the lever, it's still correct to refer to it as proprietary even though it may not have a patent. This is not a conflicting statement. Someone came up with the novel lever design. I sure don't know who. Over time the quality may improve from the eBay vendor I bought my lever from (mlabel) and certainly already has since past versions. However I think it's likely reached the point for this lever where most people are fine with the quality but I'm not. To each his own.

Anyway, my point is it's not an appropriate anology to compare the lever to the sprocket, pretty sure thought and I both agree on that now.

We've all said our thoughts and will keep doing so, that's what makes forums like this fun. My thought is I wouldn't buy these levers again bc I'm not happy with the quality, I don't have a position on the origin of manufacture topic and right/wrong of it (I've made it clear that I'm not for or against it). However i do enjoy debating this stuff because I'm in the manufacturing/IP/quality industry. doesn't mean we should let this get locked.

(http://www.gifanatics.com/files/jpicsexIaDuvYsym3hmm.gif)

I hope this thread stays open.  Want more people to post up their reviews on the Ebay adjustable levers.

I'm not especially in the market for levers (thanks to Mad Duc 20/20 [bow_down]) but sure wouldn't mind knowing which ones are good and which ones aren't.  Maybe a list of sellers with quality levers (other than the big names like CRG etc of course) could be useful.

Also maybe of note, the stock levers have glue over the adjusting screw, but the glue isn't needed to keep it from moving.  There's a flat on the screw and a metal tab that keeps pressure on the flat so its like a detent system.  Chip the glue away and you've got adjustable levers (though not as adjustable as CRGs or similar of course).

I bought a pair from HKDPro on ebay and I am very impressed with the Fit and quality.

Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHORTY-CNC-Brake-Clutch-Lever-Ducati-748-996-998-ST3-S-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5193cc0ef5QQitemZ350371974901QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

In before the...

Oh wait, I'm a Moderator  ;D

I appreciate the civil, thoughtful responses on this thread. If anything the only one being pedantic and hard-headed is me. But that's because I'm old and completely right  ;D

So no need to lock this unless someone gets racist or personal or blames the Bull Moose party or some other nonsense.

In other news, I am a hypocrite since I hope to use a 3d scanner later next month to build a modified version of a Rizoma part. It's for personal use, so the level of theft is small.

But it's still theft.

Maybe if I throw away the Rizoma part afterward my Karmic balance will be neutral.

What you are talking about isn't "theft" at all.  1) Because it simply isn't.  2) Because it's just for you and you are making it.  3) It's not a direct copy, it's improved (at least to you).

Lets take Motus for example... the guys who put together the V-4 sport touring prototype and plan to produce.  They readily admit that their engine design is based on the GM LS engines.  Sure, they tweaked it to be a V-4 (my grandma's SUV does that with software, so no biggy) but at it's heart it's a half of a GM LS engine.  Is that theft?

Doubtful, you said it yourself - you're old and completly right....LOL....so you're already totally off balance!!  [cheeky]

...ironically I work with a guy just like you!!  [laugh]


On a serious note, it's really cool that you're going to try and make your own. Coming from someone with little engineering know-how, I find that to be very impressive challenge and task to undertake!

Good luck with that and let us know how it turns out!

[thumbsup]

Theft is only possible in the realm of property rights.  This is a simple concept to understand when someone steals your sandwich, but it gets confused when the concept is applied to ideas.  How can one own an idea?  Patent or not.  Once  a person relinquishes control over an idea (i.e. talk, design, produce) it then becomes the property of those who encounter it, and therefore they may do with it what they please.  By the way nearly ALL "original" ideas are NOT original.

^^^ Given that I have made my living off many types of "non-tangible" property (Music, engineering designs, software) I couldn't disagree more.

The fact is patents (and copyrights) aren't forever and (in theory) the legal process around these things does allow for ownership of these 'intangible' things to eventually end up in the public domain.

I say "in theory" because despite the fact that Walt Disney is long dead, the likeness of Mickey mouse is still 'private' property (despite the fact that ol' Walt made billions off fairy tales that were in the public domain...)

By the way, we really should stop jacking this particular thread (heh, my bad) and take this to NMC.

If anyone wants to keep this separate conversation going, start a thread in NMC and post a link to it and I'll merge the posts from here into it...

And GO!

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=47694.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=47694.0)

does anyone know if these guys will work with coffin reservoirs?

thanks to member Some Dude, i found this item
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FOLDING-Brake-Clutch-Lever-Ducati-MONSTER-S2R-800-05-07-/220763019572?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3366805934#ht_4293wt_1180 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FOLDING-Brake-Clutch-Lever-Ducati-MONSTER-S2R-800-05-07-/220763019572?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3366805934#ht_4293wt_1180)

it doesn't list my m800 as a compatible bike, but i'm assuming it's just overlooked and that they use the same part as all the other monsters.  correct?

I still have the coffins as well... does this exclude me from using these?

No.  Coffin masters have a different pivot size and plunger.

^^^Speaking of which, those fleabay levers look like a small pivot design, unless it's the wrong picture.  the pivot holes on the coffin style reservoirs are pretty large. 

I can't speak to those levers specifically, but in general if you have a hydraulic clutch you can ditch the OE clutch safety switch and replace it with a sexy brake line pressure switch banjo bolt like this:


This is how my wife's M620 is set up now.  I put these levers on her bike and my KTM Duke 620 and we're both very pleased with the result.

Do they come with the barrel pins? or do you have take them off the old levers?

CETME, it's a hydraulic switch and is activated by the fluid.  No barrel pins needed.   It replaces a banjo bolt, which secures the hydraulic line to the master. 

I was asking if the levers came with these:

(http://www.af1racing.com/store/ProdImages/st3/af1-brembo_adjuster.jpg)

For those who are considering these levers, mine are for sale here: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=48419.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=48419.0)

I don't remember for sure about the Ducati levers I got, but for the KTM ones I had to swap HW like that from the OEM levers to the aftermarket units.

I just got some "M-Factory" levers in from eBay. Quality seems great to me, fit and finish is very professional, movement of the position selector is solid and efficient, and the color of the anodizing is rich. Id recommend these for sure. The black lever with gold adjuster looks great on my dark 696.

I love'em.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=40977.60 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=40977.60)

just got mine in and put them on.   from "the2wheels" and took about 2 weeks to get to me.  cant see any issues with them and though they didnt list 696/796 levers on ebay, they did have them once you asked in a message.

oh, and they do have that tab on the clutch lever that lets you start up in gear.

(http://gallery.me.com/vinny.ip/100134/IMG_0945/web.jpg?ver=13049580800001)

(http://gallery.me.com/vinny.ip/100134/IMG_0943/web.jpg?ver=13049580790001)

(http://gallery.me.com/vinny.ip/100134/IMG_0953/web.jpg?ver=13049581290001)

(http://gallery.me.com/vinny.ip/100134/IMG_0954/web.jpg?ver=13049581300001)

Looking at a set of eBay levers myself, has anyone purchased from "mlabel.parts"?

I know others have reviewed their mirrors but wondering how their levers compare to some of the well-reviewed ebay ones, like those from "the2wheels"...

Yeah, I did. Got my mlabel levers in a few weeks ago. Great fit and finish, have the tab that allows the bike to start in gear, and the anodizing looks great.

Same here, just got a set from him for my M750.  Fit and finish are great, solid feeling levers.  Adjusters work great too.  All in all, I'm very happy with them.

Update:  One nit pick, the little set-screw that actuated the brake or clutch is a tad on the loose side.  Fixed with lock-tite, but, it should be tighter.  Only thing "wrong" that I can find on these levers, YMMV, etc. [thumbsup]

Here is a pic of the MLabel Adjustable Levers as I received them for anyone interested (pics of them installed soon):

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/5810884507_011fd3b750_z.jpg)
Click for super HUGE version!! (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/5810884507_41293128c7_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/5811445266_b6050ab477_z.jpg)
Click for super HUGE version!! (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/5811445266_df72c04522_o.jpg)

Looks like they installed those set-screws backwards on your levers too... For my M796, the radiused inset in the screw should point away from the lever, not toward it.

Just to update... my original preferred choice was M.label because I thought they had better colors but based on the similar reviews of them having some vertical play issues, I decided to go with the2wheels. Parts arrived slowly as expected but happy to report the finish is great AND there is NO PLAY whatsoever. Very happy with my purchase, especially considering they were even cheaper than mlabel... I paid slightly more than $40 total, which includes s/h.

So what do you guys think of this new product by "the2wheel"?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280612481276&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280612481276&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)

Has the best of all three worlds...
- adjustable length between shorty/long lever
- folding (impact purposes?)
- 6-way adjustable

The price doesn't seem too bad... my only concern is where the two parts meet along the slider for the length adjustment. Something like this has to be extremely smooth as to not catch on your glove.

I really like the fact you can order a single set and then decide if you want shorty or long (or somewhere in between) once you have it installed.

It doesn't state my bike ('07 695), but I have a feeling that this wouldn't be a problem

I'm about to pull the trigger, but would certainly appreciate your guys' input

Those look nice.  Just have to say, though, my MLabel ones have +\- .032" of free play (measured with a Mitutoyo drop gauge)...just FYI, way less than my stock levers.  [thumbsup]

Me personally I would not get them. I'm sure they're functional and they're a great price but chances are if you do drop your bike, yes the levers will stay intact but they'll have nasty scratches, and considering how cheap the normal (non-foldable) levers are, I'd rather replace them since they're so cheap.

I don't understand the adjustable length.  Get shorties if you want 'em, get full length otherwise.

Okay, I didn't read through all six pages.  Way too much reading.........

Knock off clutch lever?  Maybe.  In a pinch or the price is really right.

Knock off brake lever.  No make the beast with two backsING WAY! 



Other than that I have nothing to add. 

Good point, indeed.

I think I'm pretty set on having my:
clutch lever = "regular" length
brake lever = shorty length
anyways.

Is this the way most people do it too??

I did both shorty but if you were to mix it up I would think you'd want shorty clutch for quick shifting? I personally grab with 2-3 fingers on both sides which is why I went shorty on both.

As promised, here are some pics of them installed (ignore how disgustingly filthy everything else is):

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/5827190808_5a1c7e7ecc_z.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/5826638893_9e826d6124_z.jpg)

I got some in the mail Friday and I will post pics as well. My set screws were backwards too! The look and feel great!

Which seller did you go with?

can you link me to where I can find these FP levers?

I promise pics tomorrow. I got them from hkdrpro. They are nice!
D

I've had my knock-offs for almost 2 years now and I love them. They've survived 2 falls, several dings into the tight doorway I ride my bike through, and are not sloppy feeling at all. Can't comment on the "pink" issue because I wanted and opted for the all blacks. I believe "Motocircle" was the Ebay dealer if I remember correctly.

Sorry 'bout the crappy pic. They really do polish up well when I have the inclination

(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g234/247prophet/myduc/2011-08-31_21-47-18_65.jpg)

If I would've read this thread before I bought my knockoffs, I wouldn't have done it.  But I didn't.  And I'm glad.  These are the best items I've ever purchased (or seen, for that matter) to come out of China.

The color is great; they are smooth (top and bottom); they ARE shorty's (my preference); and since I was afraid of the colors not matching my (red) m696, I went with black on black (adjusters).

Here are some pics before I install them (sorry for the crappy cellphone resolution):

In their original package
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8448320556_8cf90b7bab.jpg)


Unwrapped
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8448320442_4b9d35f9cb.jpg)


(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8352/8448320466_f2406cc7ba.jpg)


(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8074/8447231167_23d5b467d1.jpg)


I literally got the call they had been delivered while I was reading this thread.  I couldn't help posting my pics.  Can't wait to have them installed...in part because I broke my brake lever in an unfortunate (and private) tipping incident at my job's parking lot.

Here is the item I purchased off Ebay --> http://www.ebay.com/itm/180877742646?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/180877742646?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)

Without having held the expensive levers, I couldn't offer a comparison, however, I would recommend these if you're on a budget

Those are pretty. I wish I'd gotten the shorty's. Oh wait, $30? I will get em.

I have serious doubts that these are of a significantly lower quality than the Pazzo's, if not the same.

One thing that WILL happen to these; if they spend a lot of time in the sun they will fade very slightly to a dark "gunmetal"ish color. Mine did, but it doesn't bother me or affect the looks imo

They're heavy too.  Someone said that weight = quality, so I feel good about these.

I think if they do fade, I could just take them off, apply some rattle can action, and be on my way.  Or, as my GENEROUS wife suggested, I could just get them in another color  :o  [thumbsup]

Just got mine!

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Speedbeaver/IMG_20130208_183222.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Speedbeaver/IMG_20130208_183617.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Speedbeaver/IMG_20130208_183734.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Speedbeaver/IMG_20130208_183750.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Speedbeaver/IMG_20130208_183817.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Speedbeaver/IMG_20130208_183802.jpg)

Red selector is a tad off compared to the billet oil cap I ordered from another ebay shop. Doesn't bother me much since they won't be side by side.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Speedbeaver/IMG_20130208_184306.jpg)

Dang those look good.  Anyone know which ones will work with the coffin style masters?

Mine are for a monster 696 (coffin)

check their store on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/the2wheels-Adjustable-Brake-Clutch-CNC-Levers-Ducati-MONSTER-696-2009-2012-/290708364484?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ADucati%7CSubmodel%3A696%7CModel%3AMonster&vxp=mtr&hash=item43af919cc4 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/the2wheels-Adjustable-Brake-Clutch-CNC-Levers-Ducati-MONSTER-696-2009-2012-/290708364484?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ADucati%7CSubmodel%3A696%7CModel%3AMonster&vxp=mtr&hash=item43af919cc4)

Just specify your bike year & model and levers type (short/long) and color (both lever & selector) in the paypal comments or send them a message after the payment.

Took 2 weeks. Seems like a good $31 to spend. If they ever fade I'll just order anoter pair.

Thanks for the review!  They look decent but I personally just can't put Chinese parts on my Italian bike.  Even as much as I like CRG's they are American made and therefore don't belong on my Duck.  It is a personal thing for me.  To me my Ducati is my Ferrari.  If I have to shave a few bucks on a purchase like levers I bought the wrong toy ( :

   

High-minded, but if you think that new Ducatis and Ferraris are made without parts from China, I suspect you're mistaken. :)

They may come with some parts from China but I can't do it on purpose.  I bought the Motowheels folding levers and installed them yesterday.  I got a GREAT price on them as well.  Definatly more than 40.00 but less than $201.00.  They are really nice, not flashy and feel great on the bike.

So, just because they're Chinese, eh? regardless of the quality? seems a lil' racist.

edit: I noticed you precluded American made parts as well...gotcha. In any case, these are *extremely* nice levers. I just ordered a new set of shortys

Cool beans,  It is all about what makes you smile  [thumbsup]  It really is amazing what a difference a set of levers makes to the bikes feel.

This thread is sad. You guys should support the companies that support motorcycling.

CRG, ASV, Vortex, Woodcraft, Speedymoto, etc. all support the sport/activity we love by developing and manufacturing nice parts for us. Most of these companies also support club-level racing across the country, usually through product discounts, which racers appreciate very much. I'm sponsored by Vortex, have spoke with the CRG guys at moto shows a couple times, and have attended trackdays with the Speedymoto guys when they were doing R&D on new parts. They all love motorcycles, and they try to design & make nice parts for us.  [thumbsup]

Many of the sponsors to the left (who make this board possible by the way ) sell the above-named products.  [thumbsup]

These knock-off companies probably haven't ever seen a Ducati Monster, or many of the other bikes they sell knock-off products for. They just order a product from one of the manufacturers above, then copy and sell it...for a much cheaper price because they're only paying $0.30/hour for their labor.  [thumbsdown] It sucks.

It isn't limited to moto parts either. The Chinese are trying to copy everything. I work in the tunneling industry and they've been attemping to copy tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for quite some time. Luckily for the American, Canadian, German, & Japanese TBM manufacturers, TBMs are much more complicated than moto parts.

TripleJ,

And just how many people complain about no or low paying jobs yet shop at Walmart?  Most Americans care less about supporting the companies that do RnD as long as they get the best deal.  It has happened everywhere in nearly every industry.  They have even knocked off paragliders and hot air balloons....

I will pay the money or I won't buy it.  Then again I have never set foot in a Walmart either  [wine]

Which I'm sure they do out of the goodness of their hearts...

Those companies are out to make a dollar & I'm out to get value for my money. On a more complicated/important part, I would not consider a Chinese knock off (wouldn't even think about a Dan Moto exhaust), but on something which does not require a lot of R&D and is essentially just bling, you bet I'm happy to pay significantly less for a very similar product.

At the price these companies charge for levers, I wouldn't even consider changing my OEM if it weren't for the knock offs.

If you shop at WalMart, or virtually any corporate big box store and/or eat out at corporate restaurants, you are the ultimate hypocrite. The food on your table is more than likely part of an abusive agricultural dictatorship run by Monsanto and Nestle, powered by exploited third world workers and the blood of animals that are tortured from the cradle to the grave before ending up on your plate. You should probably look inward before coming off all sanctimonious. None of the owners of these companies are going hungry. But I could pretty much guarantee that many if not most of your 1st world luxuries come at the expense of the ecosystem and the human/non human animals that inhabit it.

I'm a vegan and a full time political activist. You can be damn sure I don't shop at Walmart, and though I can't say I feel "good" about buying Chinese counterfeits, I certainly don't feel bad for Pazzo, CRG, or anyone else making a 4000% profit on their products.

And the companies that farm out their manufacturing to China, then have the audacity to whine when it inevitably gets bootlegged really make me  [laugh]

I don't shop at Walmart. I don't claim to be perfect either, but I do buy local whenever possible. There are some things you can control and this is one of them. Pazzo is a knock-off too by the way.

Also, if you think the guys at the companies I've listed are making a 4000% profit, or getting rich from $100 levers, you are sadly mistaken.

I don't feel bad about those that farm out their manufacturing either.

I'm not naive, of course they do it for marketing. They also do it because they like racing though. Probably more R&D than you think on a lot of these things. Last time I checked, CNC machines don't spit out working parts without design and then programming.

Whatever though. It's just my opinion. When the companies that design this stuff go out of business, have fun trying to find parts for new models.

Really the lesson that should be learned here is the inherit evil of capitalism. The anarchist-socialist Proudhon remarked that; "all profit is theft" ; he was talking about the unpaid portion of the value created by the worker that went into the bosses pocket. "The boss" can afford CRG levers because of that unpaid labor. (profit). So The Boss gets his CRG levers by exploiting workers...who buy Chinese knockoffs instead, thus exploiting other workers below them. (the Chinese workers). That's why capitalism is also called a giant "pyramid scheme".

Basically we're all guilty to some extent unless we live like complete Luddites. But it's hypocritical for a guy who can afford the CRG's to tell the blue collar dude with a family he has to go without because; "it's the right thing to do".

imho of course...

Dood...

we're not going there. It's politics...and we don't do politics-religion-or bashing of any group.

Read the damn rules... http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=107.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=107.0) ...please. ;D

I learned my lesson!!

damn, sorry DP yer absolutely right. It's been a loooonng winter...too much time reading IWW propaganda and not nearly enough riding...my apologies :)

I bought some after-market levers but I just can't seem to figure out how to get little cilinder out of the lever.
Probably something simple but all tips or tricks are welcome  [bow_down]

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/887021_10151517958727505_1472372107_o.jpg)

Nevermind, found the solution :)


(http://www.ducatimonster.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=101505&amp;d=1310844939)

(http://www.ducatimonster.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=101506&amp;d=1310844944)

WARNING

Hey guys, after installing my ebay levers I realized that I had heavy clutch slip. Upon closer inspection I realized that the adjustment bolt didn't have the same dept as the one on the oem ones, thus causing the clutch not being fully depressed when the lever was released.

Solution: I simply swapped the adjustment bolts from the oem ones to my ebay levers. Perfect fit!
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Speedbeaver/IMG_20130729_114925.jpg)(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Speedbeaver/IMG_20130729_114129.jpg)

You get what you pay for one way or another.

ASV & CRG +1

I don't know what you paid for that tattoo in your av, but it looks to me like it was worth it!

True story with tattoos...not levers. Going on 3 years strong with my $30 knock offs. I love em

I think a major difference is not design or materials. It's probably mostly identical in those regards. Major difference is probably in quality control.
I'm guessing the Chinese manf have very little if any inspection (just a hunch). While CRG probably has quite extensive inspection protocols (just a hunch).