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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: XealotX on April 03, 2009, 03:51:06 PM

Title: Another clutch question...UPDATED...now with more stupid questions...
Post by: XealotX on April 03, 2009, 03:51:06 PM
Hello.

I recently ordered a new clutch lever from bike bandit and it turned out to be the wrong one for my 2002.

Has anyone ordered a new lever (preferably for a 2002) and if so, who did you order it from?

I contacted bike bandit but they said since I had lost the original packaging (wife threw away the zip lock bag it came in) I could pack sand. :icon_rolleyes: Even though they did send the wrong lever, I failed to follow their return policy, so I'm (mostly) not angry about it.

Everything on the bike is original so I would prefer to install an OEM part, but at this point I'll take anything that will fit.

Thanks
Title: Re: Another clutch question...
Post by: fred on April 03, 2009, 10:42:07 PM
Weird, as far as I can tell from bikebandit, there is only one clutch lever for the GS, regardless of what year... Are you sure the lever you broke was stock? They could have just sent you some random other lever from a different bike, but they haven't ever done anything like that to me... How is the lever bikebandit sent you different from the one that you broke?

As far as where to get a new lever, you could always go to the local dealership. They'll give you the right part, and you'll have an opportunity to inspect it before you actually give them money...
Title: Re: Another clutch question...
Post by: bill14224 on April 04, 2009, 05:33:25 AM
Fred is right, again.  The levers haven't changed.  Is it the wrong color?  Is that the problem?  I have one aluminum lever and one black coated lever on my bike and it doesn't bother me one bit.

If you want one to match the brake lever, you can easily unload the unwanted lever here, or if they sent you a black one and you wanted plain aluminum I'll swap with you.  My guess is they sent you a plain aluminum lever and you wanted black.
Title: Re: Another clutch question...
Post by: XealotX on April 04, 2009, 06:53:16 AM
Hmmm, can't seem to get the quote function to work...likely user error... :embarrassed:

I can see how my original post was less than helpful...

"Are you sure the lever you broke was stock?" ----As a confirmation of my extreme manliness I want to point out that I did not break the clutch lever.  :icon_razz: I purchased the bike with the lever already bent. I am sure the lever is stock.

"How is the lever bikebandit sent you different from the one that you broke?" ----The mounting bolt hole is nearly a half inch short. When comparing the original to the replacement, the lever shape is different and the end of the lever that mounts to the handlebar is SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than the original.

"Is it the wrong color?" ----No, the color is the same, although I wouldn't mind trying black levers...where did you find yours?





Title: Re: Another clutch question...
Post by: fred on April 04, 2009, 07:55:52 AM
Weird, they must have just sent you some random other lever. Sucks that you can't return it... I didn't mean to imply that you crashed, and I totally understand prior crash damage. One of my GSs has a couple of broken cooling fins, a missing steering stop, a big crotch dent in the tank, some smaller dents and a whole host of other minor defects, all from prior crashes. My other GS has a taped together instrument cluster and a bunch of tank dents from crashing. From the looks of my bikes you'd think I've been in many accidents, but I swear, I've never even dropped one!
Title: Re: Another clutch question...
Post by: bill14224 on April 04, 2009, 02:57:57 PM
I don't know.  I bought the bike with a black brake lever and an aluminum clutch lever.   I would try jcwhitney or bikebandit.  I'd bet they have both, but I'd get in touch with a real person to make sure you get the right one.
Title: Re: Another clutch question...
Post by: commuterdude on April 04, 2009, 05:39:05 PM
get you some of those carbon look levers on ebay....they add  like 20 hp.
Title: Re: Another clutch question...
Post by: XealotX on April 04, 2009, 07:33:58 PM
I suppose between jetted carbs, one of those fancy exhaust cans, some high speed imitation carbon fiber levers, and a GStwin sticker my bike should be putting out 180HP at the rear wheel...easy...while no doubt getting 80 MPG... :icon_lol:

I went ahead and ordered a new lever from the dealership. They stock all the Japanese brand bikes but they mostly sell Harleys. When I told the guy at the parts counter that I needed a clutch lever for a 2002 GS500 he said that I must have meant a GSXR.  I can see how he could get the two confused... :dunno_white:

The dealership was holding a Harley owners appreciation day. Must have been 200 bikes, and, ummm..."bikers" in the parking lot...Looked like a Village People reunion concert had broken out. There were some mighty tough looking hombres though...bet if you messed up their double skim mocha latte at the Starbucks they would walk away without leaving a tip. :icon_rolleyes:

I looked more lost than last year's Easter eggs in there.
Title: Re: Another clutch question...
Post by: Toogoofy317 on April 04, 2009, 10:29:51 PM
Can you post up a pic of the lever?

I got one from Loki. Awesome dude sent it to me for free! see awesome! But, I couldn't get the handle bars to lock found out when a$$hole neighbor knocked my bike over it completely moved my fairing over! So, I have to straighten that whole thing out which is a pain cause these piece of krap allen head screws enjoy stripping out!

So yeah,
Mary
Title: Re: Another clutch question...UPDATED...now with more stupid questions...
Post by: XealotX on April 10, 2009, 04:27:12 PM
So...

Finally installed new clutch lever. Am wondering what the switch connected to the lever is for and if it is possible to reverse it during install? My best guess is that it has something to do with the kickstand and putting the bike in gear, but I was never too goodly with wiring schematics... :oops:
Title: Re: Another clutch question...UPDATED...now with more stupid questions...
Post by: joshr08 on April 10, 2009, 04:30:44 PM
the switch under the clutch purch is the clutch safety switch that tells the bike your pulling the clutch in in order for the bike to start.
Title: Re: Another clutch question...UPDATED...now with more stupid questions...
Post by: XealotX on April 10, 2009, 04:41:12 PM
Thanks. In the morning when I try to start it guess it will be obvious if it's installed wrong then  8)
Title: Re: Another clutch question...UPDATED...now with more stupid questions...
Post by: Paulcet on April 10, 2009, 06:40:38 PM
It's just a switch.  It has no polarity.