Aftermarket Adjustable Levers...

[149769]

I have small hands and currently have my R1200R Brake and Clutch levers adjusted to the closest setting.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with the different aftermarket levers that are out there. I am considering the pazzo levers but I am curious if the $200 for the pair is worth it.
What, if anything should I be concerned about.

Thanks!

[mneblett]

I have small hands and currently have my R1200R Brake and Clutch levers adjusted to the closest setting.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with the different aftermarket levers that are out there. I am considering the pazzo levers but I am curious if the $200 for the pair is worth it.
What, if anything should I be concerned about.

Thanks!
Another option: Each lever has an adjustment screw threaded into the lever at the point that it contacts the master cylinder piston. These can be rotated counterclockwise (i.e., outward) so as to move the engagement point of the lever back toward the grip.

HOWEVER, the screwdriver slots in these screws are VERY easy to strip out because they are secured by RED locktite -- the "we don't want to go nowhere" type. You have two options if you want to proceed:

(i) I have about 1/2 the time been successful in *carefully* applying torque to the screw while pushing very hard on the screw driver to keep it from camming back out of the slot. A screwdriver that exactly matches the slot dimensions helps. However, at the first *instant* that your hand begins to detect that the slot is starting to deform, as opposed to the screw turning, you must stop and move to plan B;

(ii) Plan B: Remove the lever from the grip assembly (usually a matter of removing the grip lower cover and the bolt about which the lever rotates), and apply heat to break down the red locktite. Go slow with the heat, and give it enough time at temperature to allow the red locktite to soften before trying to turn the screw.

After you back out the screw, you should reapply the locktite to ensure it doesn't move again. Having said that, I usually do not do this immediately, as I like to "fine-tune" the position over a few days' riding before securing the screw. I will also admit to never having replaced the locktite in some cases, because there was still enough of the original left to clearly prevent screw movement.

HTH,
Mark

[Motogp]

There are all sorts of aftermarket levers out there with abundance of adjustments. I installed a set of piazzo mini's on my R1200S and they do a great job while offering more adjustments that were allowed with the stock levers. Shop around, you can get a set for around 130.00 on ebay

[deilenberger]

Another option: Each lever has an adjustment screw threaded into the lever at the point that it contacts the master cylinder piston. These can be rotated counterclockwise (i.e., outward) so as to move the engagement point of the lever back toward the grip.
Big snip..
Mark

Mark,

I don't believe the R1200R levers are the same as you're describing. The R1200R levers has user adjustable plastic screws on each lever that can be used to move the position of the lever contact point in relation to the piston. These do have a fairly wide range.

The Piazzo levers the OP is referring to have an additional dog-leg in the actual lever (besides being adjustable) - the dog leg brings the lever closer to the grip. Only problem I can see is under heavy panic braking - on my particular R1200R - with the stock grip adjusting screw all the way in, the lever pinches my fingers that are wrapped around the throttle. I suspect the dog-leg piazzo levers might make this more of a problem.

I believe the RT and ST used the more traditional master cylinders close in design to the ones I had on my '04 RS - and yes - they had adjusting screws, but not thumb screw like adjusters like the R12R has.

[mneblett]

Big snip..

Mark,

I don't believe the R1200R levers are the same as you're describing. The R1200R levers has user adjustable plastic screws on each lever that can be used to move the position of the lever contact point in relation to the piston. These do have a fairly wide range.

Don, it's certainly possible that I'm wrong, but I'd be surprised -- my 2 RT's, 4 LT's and 1 1150GS all had the screws. I'm talking about the one at the base of the lever shown here (orange paint):
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f360/mneblett/R12RT/Brakeleverscrew.jpg

Does the R12R not have these?

Mark

[deilenberger]

Mark,

Nope. The R1200R (and R1200GS) levers (and master-cylinders) are completely different. Where the yellow screw is located is where the plastic screw with thumb-nut is on these levers. There is also no knob for adjusting the lever position.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=19013&stc=1&d=1250699127

A not too great look at it (from the R1200R fluid flush DIY), and a better one - although it's the clutch side, they both use the same design:

[mneblett]

Mark,

Nope. The R1200R (and R1200GS) levers (and master-cylinders) are completely different. Where the yellow screw is located is where the plastic screw with thumb-nut is on these levers. There is also no knob for adjusting the lever position.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=19013&stc=1&d=1250699127

A not too great look at it (from the R1200R fluid flush DIY), and a better one - although it's the clutch side, they both use the same design:
Cool -- always good to learn something new!

Thanks,
Mark