aliexpress farkles: levers , oil cap, filter cover

[Vintage Veloce]

I've noticed that many seemingly expensive parts are just private labels of stuff made in china, and so I decided to try a couple farkles from aliexpress.
It took a couple weeks for them to arrive...

Levers:
Well, these didn't fit as well as I hoped. The brake lever was fine. But the clutch was a very long reach and wiggled a bit more in the perch for my liking. It's probably worth paying more for something you can return if it doesn't fit the way you like. I made the clutch fit by filing it down in the right places and I used a shim washer on the pivot to eliminate the excess wiggle. But even modified the clutch's reach is still a bit longer than stock.




I do like the oil fill cap! I prefer that it requires a tool to open. You do have to be very careful not to over-tighten it.


And I haven't put the filter cover on. I'll try that at my next oil change.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Oh, I should add that to use the aftermarket brake lever, I decided the right side handlebar switch pod needed to be rotated to increase clearance for the brake lever. That pod is pinned to the handlebar, and I cut that pin off. So the brake lever isn't an "easy" install either. And removing that pin could be considered a safety risk as it holds the pod to resist twisting with the throttle.
I think this is likely an issue for many aftermarket brake levers on this bike as the "dogleg" on the lever is different than the stock levers.
Proceed at your own risk for mods like this. Better yet, just keep the stock levers.

 

[aitormartin]

Those levers look pretty, but I wouldn't risk it on a part like that to be honest. However, I quite like the caps. Could you provide a link?

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Those levers look pretty, but I wouldn't risk it on a part like that to be honest. However, I quite like the caps. Could you provide a link?

Yeah, I'm convinced these levers are exactly the same as the ones that cost $200 from other people that just label them.
The alternative would be trying to find some with a different country of origin... and I don't see any that say made in the USA or Europe...

There are many vendors... but here are the caps I ordered. And I'm not vouching for fit or quality.

8.01US $ 26% OFF|Motorcycle Crankcase Cap Cnc Engine Oil Filler Screw Cover Plug M16*1.5 For Ktm Duke 125 200 390 Rc 125/390 - Covers & Ornamental Mouldings - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

8.92US $ |CNC Motorcycle Oil Filter Plug Cover Cap Guard For KTM 990 Adventure 120 200 390 / RC 125 200 390 Duke 1190 RC8 R|Covers & Ornamental Mouldings| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Compare the levers I bought for US$25 to the "Pazzo Racing" levers that are around $200.
But if I was doing it again, I get something that was returnable from a reputable vendor. It took a bunch of work to get these to fit.

 

[aitormartin]

Yeah, I get that most stuff is made in China these days. But you never know what the quality of the materials they use is, or what quality control is in those factories. At least when you buy an "original" part you have some kind of warranty and thats peace of mind.

Some parts may be really good quality, but I see it as a gamble. That's why I don't like to buy parts that could put me or my bike in danger.

 

[aitormartin]

Also, having a part that looks the same doesn't necesarily mean that it's made by the same factory. Could be a copy, like the exhaust I showed in the other thread.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Also, having a part that looks the same doesn't necesarily mean that it's made by the same factory. Could be a copy, like the exhaust I showed in the other thread.

True!

 

[Reed7742]

Compare the levers I bought for US$25 to the "Pazzo Racing" levers that are around $200.
But if I was doing it again, I get something that was returnable from a reputable vendor. It took a bunch of work to get these to fit.

They're not. Many of the high-end levers are made with sealed bearings in the pivot points and to much tighter tolerances. Try a Chinese lever and then an ASV lever and you'll immediately know the difference. Will it be ok? Probably. Have there been people who have crashed because of cheaper lever failures? Yes. Plugs are pretty neat though.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

They're not. Many of the high-end levers are made with sealed bearings in the pivot points and to much tighter tolerances. Try a Chinese lever and then an ASV lever and you'll immediately know the difference. Will it be ok? Probably. Have there been people who have crashed because of cheaper lever failures? Yes. Plugs are pretty neat though.

I'm pretty sure the Pazzo levers are made in china too... I really think they just private label it.
I agree with the recommendation of a CRG levers. Those are clearly made in the USA. I don't know where the ASV levers comes from.
And of course you have to find one that fits the bike.
I haven't seen any sealed bearing levers for the 401 (ktm 390), can you point me at those?
Frankly, if it's machined from billet, I'm not too worried about the origin, if it fits right. But fit was a problem with the ones I purchased. Don't get those. ;-)

On your link: that guy clearly put a lever on the did not fit right, and didn't have the skills to figure that out. You have to know what you are doing with this stuff. If you don't have the skills to evaluate the fit of something like this, you shouldn't be fitting them yourself. Go to a reputable shop and buy reputable stuff.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

PS: If I didn't hate folding levers, I might just buy the Husky ones and be done with it.


On the other hand, these look just like what I bought... I would avoid these and the Pazzo:

MZS Motorcycle Brake Clutch Adjustable Shorty Lever Compatible Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 2018-2019 - MZS Mechanical ZealotS | Motorcycle Super retailer | Brake & Clutch levers Accessories

Without the ABE and TUV, please careful check before ordering High technology CNC levers made of 6061-T6 aluminum Adjustable in 6 positions (even while driving) Weight without adapter: 81g, Length: 14.5 cm Ergonomic shape, extremely light and resistant

www.mzstuning.com

 

[BISavage]

PS: If I didn't hate folding levers, I might just buy the Husky ones and be done with it.

I initially had some name brand made in China ones that came with the appropriate paperwork, and which were really decent and all, just that using the medium length felt like it was cramping my style.
So then I got the real ones...regardless of where they been made (would have to look), they got that Goldilocks appeal of being just right.

And would have to agree on the questionable practicability of utilizing the full functionality of folding levers are on a street bike...