Budget levers....what do you think??

[booger]

You can also look at just about any recently made Snap-On power tool and the label will say, "Assembled in USA with global parts".  I've even seen some of the Mac hand tools that are made in China.  They are still very nice tools, and have the same warranty.
The only bad thing is they don't give you a break on the price even if they are made in China.

Snap-on? Really now? There goes the fvckin neighborhood. Christ on a cracker. I know Craftsman are Chinese, but the vaunted Snap-On. I only have what a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter and a tiny long handled 10mm box end and both are ancient items I stole from Dad when he had his back turned. Never thought a red-blooded company like Snap-On would do that. So the quality German made hand tools such as Hazet and Stahlwille, are they Chinese too? Yeah I know I broke my pledge to not post any more.

[mojo]

I'm sure you will be happy to know that my Snap-On dealer is a f'n retard, so I don't buy anything from him
I've been buying  everything from Mac and Cornwell.
My Mac dealer is a franchisee, so I'm supporting my local small business, right?  The Snap-On dealer is actually an employee, so he doesn't actually own anything...and he's a f'n retard.
Cornwell is a relatively small, family owned tool company that has a lot of tools that ARE made in the USA.

[DarkMonster620]

... So the quality German made hand tools such as Hazet and Stahlwille, are they Chinese too? Yeah I know I broke my pledge to not post any more.

It's my knowledge, as per a friend who's dad works at Hazet, 99% of all Hazet tools are GERMAN .... Stalhwille outsources some of theirs, think my buddy told me the SAE sized ones, dies are either Stanley or S-K ... he's getting the info ...

[ducatiz]

Yeah I know I broke my pledge to not post any more.

it's ok, bergy.  we won't hold it against you.

Snap-on? Really now? There goes the fvckin neighborhood. Christ on a cracker. I know Craftsman are Chinese, but the vaunted Snap-On. I only have what a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter and a tiny long handled 10mm box end and both are ancient items I stole from Dad when he had his back turned. Never thought a red-blooded company like Snap-On would do that.

Snap-on tried getting forgings from China and then doing the final machining and finish in the states for a while.  The cost still put them so far out.

[IAmTheWalrus]

So I got the M.Label levers for about $75 shipped. 

I installed them a couple of weeks ago.  Piece of cake, as you might imagine.

I too sense a little bit of a wobble, but I don't have another set of adjustable levers to compare them too.  It's not bad, and it doesn't seem to have any bearing on the use of the levers.  I can see how adjustable levers probably would wobble more in general, because you have two points of connection, to the perch and to the first part of the lever, instead of just one with standard levers.  So you'd expect more movement, even if both joints are just as tight as the original.

There was one tiny flaw in the finish I touched up with a Sharpie, but overall, they look nice.

The quality seems good.  I was actually hoping they'd be a little more rounded off, the leading edges are smoothed but still have a bit of a corner to them.  However with gloves on (and we all ride with gloves, right?) you cannot tell one bit.  The adjustment action is very smooth and positive.

As for the main reason to get adjustable levers: yea they rock.  It's SO much easier to manipulate the clutch when the friction zone is closer to the grip, at least in my opinion.  I also moved the brake a little closer to the grip and I like that arrangement much better.

To clarify two points:  These levers have both the freeplay adjustment screw, AND the clutch switch tab.  So I was able to adjust the freeplay to my liking.  I just added a little locktite to the screw.  And the bike still starts in gear with the clutch in.  This is for the 696.

Here's some pictures:




You can plainly see the clutch switch tab here:

[ducatiz]

thanks for the pics... SOLD


ps...koo koo ka choo

[Two dogs]

After reading this thread I thought I would give the el cheapo Hong kong leavers a go.
I had payed big $ on my 695 for Pazzo levers   very good
 unfortunatly they will not migrate over to my new bike S2R1000
so the wife gets the good levers   as a bonus with her Ducati Christmas gift Na'h she's worth it  

I wasn't looking for bling just a brake lever that I could get as close to the bar as possible
 to make covering the brake with two fingers in close traffic and at intersections more natural.

Well on this point they FAIL   the smallest setting is no better than the Brembo levers infact slightly worse
So fingers crossed for a fleabay refund .So you get what you pay for !
 A knock off design that does not come close to function.
They were of resonable quality other than too much movement at the fixings and
 a little hard edged on the finnish compared with the
Pazzo levers.

[DarkMonster620]

After reading this thread I thought I would give the el cheapo Hong kong leavers a go.
I had payed big $ on my 695 for Pazzo levers  very good
 unfortunatly they will not migrate over to my new bike S2R1000
so the wife gets the good levers  as a bonus with her Ducati Christmas gift Na'h she's worth it 

I wasn't looking for bling just a brake lever that I could get as close to the bar as possible
 to make covering the brake with two fingers in close traffic and at intersections more natural.

Well on this point they FAIL  the smallest setting is no better than the Brembo levers infact slightly worse
So fingers crossed for a fleabay refund .So you get what you pay for !
 A knock off design that does not come close to function.
They were of resonable quality other than too much movement at the fixings and
 a little hard edged on the finnish compared with the
Pazzo levers.

I'll be getting Oberon levers in short/Aero model for my M620's M1000Sie masters ...
Once installed, I'll post pics and reviews ... but, need to give me time untill after Xmas ...

[Link]

After reading this thread I thought I would give the el cheapo Hong kong leavers a go.
I had payed big $ on my 695 for Pazzo levers   very good
 unfortunatly they will not migrate over to my new bike S2R1000
so the wife gets the good levers   as a bonus with her Ducati Christmas gift Na'h she's worth it  

I wasn't looking for bling just a brake lever that I could get as close to the bar as possible
 to make covering the brake with two fingers in close traffic and at intersections more natural.

Well on this point they FAIL   the smallest setting is no better than the Brembo levers infact slightly worse
So fingers crossed for a fleabay refund .So you get what you pay for !
 A knock off design that does not come close to function.
They were of resonable quality other than too much movement at the fixings and
 a little hard edged on the finnish compared with the
Pazzo levers.

Thanks for info. I was ready to place an order after reading Iamthewalrus review (good write up walrus) the levers are for my GF & she has small hands, right now the brake lever is 2 3/8" from the grip at it's closest point and 3 3/4" at it's furthest and she's ok with that this is on a 696 stock lever. Do you know if these budget levers will get as close to the bars as stock ? If so they will work fine for us.
 Thanks

[IAmTheWalrus]

Two dogs, I'm curious which levers you tried?  Were they the M.Label or another brand?

I will say at least on my 696, the M.Label can get very close to the grip.  Mine are on 3 out of 6 and that's noticeably closer than stock.  The pictures I took were on that setting, so you can compare that visually to the standard levers and draw your own conclusions.

I'll also add for point of comparison that I've seen the ASV levers in person, and I thought the finish was nicer on those.  But at nearly 3x the price, they should be.

[Two dogs]

Hi Link
I am not familiar with the 696 stock levers, if they are similar to the 695 which were (in a French accent)
"orrible"
the budget levers would be an improvement.
My situation is different as the S2R1000 Brembos  have adjustment already so no happy ending.

[Two dogs]

Two dogs, I'm curious which levers you tried?  Were they the M.Label or another brand?

I will say at least on my 696, the M.Label can get very close to the grip.  Mine are on 3 out of 6 and that's noticeably closer than stock.  The pictures I took were on that setting, so you can compare that visually to the standard levers and draw your own conclusions.

I'll also add for point of comparison that I've seen the ASV levers in person, and I thought the finish was nicer on those.  But at nearly 3x the price, they should be.

Yes they were the M label ,
 I would of been happy with them if the settings were as good as the Pazzo
but they were not in my situation.
The finnish was good and the price was great so if in your situation they improve reach or if just for the bling factor I would recommend them and keep the extra coin in your pocket .

[/color]
M labels refunded my money today so I can say that I would recommend them as a supplier
of a reasonably good product and a fair trader 

[loopsrider]

Anyone have any experience with the shorty levers some of these aftermarket guys offer?

Like?...Dislike?

They would be going on a 696...

[Link]

My review of the m label as compared to CRG. They have about the same adjustment as CRG. They have a bit more slop in the up & down direction. The finish is not as good if a CRG is a 10 M label is about 6. The lever action for adjustment is not as smooth as the CRG but it works fine. The bend of the levers & adjustment make them better then the stock ones but these are not a replacement for CRG lever if you have used CRG or Pazzo don't expect that type of quality from these. They work but I would buy them again.

[speedknot]

Hey walrus.  Try using some machinist washers on the levers.  They come paper thin so you can shim the lever perfectly.  I wasn't too happy about the slop in the lever either.  Check out my pics earlier in this thread.  For the price and quality of these things, it cant be beat.