Cluth lever of years past?

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Rick
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Cluth lever of years past?

Post by Rick »

Many years ago, when i rode and raced all the time, i always shifted with two fingers. Since getting my kdx, It wont quite let me do that. I either smash my other fingers, or miss third gear. Ya cant hang on to this bike shiftng with your whole hand. Just wondering if i can adjust the throw of the clutch? The shifter is adjusted right, no slop. I think the clutch is off a little though because it tries to pull with it fully engaged and it is hard to start in gear. What about the old trick of sawing off half the clutch lever? Do they make a short one now? Thanks, Rick
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Post by Rick »

Hello?
Yes, they really do let me drive the Train!
1991 KDX 250 $Sold but not forgotten....
1996 Suzuki DR 350 $Sold!
2002 Honda CR 250 worth more than my house at this point........ :-)
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Post by Rick »

Anyone? Bueller----Bueller????????
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Post by IdahoCharley »

I always saw mine shorter for that same reason - like to keep a couple of stubs on the bars!!

The short levers from years gone by seem to have been discontinued - I've look a couple of times and the short ones now that are available are just an inch or so shorter - not like the old 'short power levers' of years gone by.
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Post by Mr. Wibbens »

re; Ya cant hang on to this bike shiftng with your whole hand.

Why not? Is it that different from a 200?
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Post by Rick »

Its been a while since ive rode, period. let alone a 200. This 250 has some ass, so in tight quarters, or whoops or multiple jumps, You need as much hand on the bars as you can get.. IM 6' 170 and pretty experienced, Its just been a while.
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Post by Mr. Wibbens »

I dunno, I can hold on to all my bikes without doing the two finger thingy, maybe I gots stronger thumbs? :wink:
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Post by IdahoCharley »

For me it is more a control thing - I cut the kids XR80, KDX80s, IT200s, DS80, TTR125L levers - well, just because I could I guess. LOL

I think kids and adults ought to be hanging onto the bars at all times because I LIKE TOO!! Actually slow technical trails where your feeding the clutch and muddy trails where you may be dragging the front brake are where I'm really happy to not be pinching my pinky fingers.
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Post by Rick »

Thats just the way im use to shifting, tough guy! I havent rode for like twelve years, so cut me some slack Ricky Carmichael!!!!!!
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Post by Rick »

PS that was for MR.wibbens!
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Post by Mr. Wibbens »

Cut you some slack? :rolleyes:

:butthead:

Still seems kinda strange to me, but maybe a lot has to do with the WER
My hands most of the time are more like resting on the bars, only thing really wrapped around the grip is my thumbs. I'm 6'2" 265# prolly pushin close to 300 in full gear. I need to feather the clutch quite a bit
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Post by Jeb »

There's at least a couple of websites where you can purchase "shorty" levers as well as a variety of levers. Try mooseracing.com and denniskirk.com and you'll see pics of them as well.

Placement on the bars can change things a little. I've got the ball end cut off and have the mount slid towards the center enough to be able to work my lever with my index and middle fingers leaving the other two on the bars. Another option - maybe better - is one of the dog-legged levers mounted so that you can do just the opposite: index/middle hanging on, the other two doing the leveraging (might be more holding power this way).

Rick, consider using your knees more!! Snug them suckers, tightly, up against the sides/rad covers of the bike. Sitting down or standing up. It'll take some time and focus to make it part of your "technique" but it'll make holding on a lot easier. I bring this up not because I'm good at it but because it's working for me. I got a crash-course in this technique this past summer when I spent more time than I wanted on an RM250.

You'll see racing bikes set up with non-slip tape on the sides to improve bite, perhaps another consideration.
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Post by 2001kdx »

>|<>QBB<
Mr. Wibbens wrote:Cut you some slack? :rolleyes:

:butthead:

Still seems kinda strange to me, but maybe a lot has to do with the WER
My hands most of the time are more like resting on the bars, only thing really wrapped around the grip is my thumbs. I'm 6'2" 265# prolly pushin close to 300 in full gear. I need to feather the clutch quite a bit
35 pounds of gear? What are you wearing?
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Post by KDXer »

>|<>QBB<
Jeb wrote:Rick, consider using your knees more!! Snug them suckers, tightly, up against the sides/rad covers of the bike. Sitting down or standing up. It'll take some time and focus to make it part of your "technique" but it'll make holding on a lot easier.
A very good technique..... UNLESS your as tall as me (6'5"). When standing I can almost knock my knees together, I miss the seat/tank by inches. I have installed a Ceet tall seat but still have problems. Thats why I mentioned lowered pegs in the thread regarding 'aftermarket parts' the other day.
2001 kdx 200 good bike wrote:35 pounds of gear? What are you wearing?
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Post by thebleakness »

I came upon these on accident http://street.parts-unlimited.com/13/1405/2520330 Are those what you were looking for? I havent been riding long enough (or possibly alive along enough :wink: ) to know exactly what your talking about. I have a shortened clutch lever on mine right now...not on purpose though. I broke it before I had barkbusters and havent felt like replacing it with new ones. It feels much nicer.
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Post by Indawoods »

PERFECT! :supz:
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Post by Jeb »

Not a bad find, Mr. Bleakness, good price too!!
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Post by Rick »

Thanks!! I'll check em out!!
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1991 KDX 250 $Sold but not forgotten....
1996 Suzuki DR 350 $Sold!
2002 Honda CR 250 worth more than my house at this point........ :-)
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2002 DL1000 V-STROM
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Post by KarlP »

I like those shorty levers, or at least the idea of them.
I bought one and tried it on my KDX and found that using only the pointer and middle finger caused a painful condition in my forearm. I suppose one could toughen up and get over it. I went back to my cut down stock lever and use the first three fingers, pinky just floating. I don't seem to have a "gripping the bars" issue though. I think I'm using my thumb/knees/thighs.

I ended up putting the shorty lever on my boys Husky, where it was perfect.


Why do they sell kids bikes with adult size levers on them, anyway?
There was no way he could use the stock lever.

You should see the front brake lever on the KLX. It looks like something off of a farm implement.
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