Speed handle?

MidLife

MidLife

Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
1,754
Location
Houston, Tx
Bike
2003 ST1300
aniwack said:
REPLACE THAT CLUTCH HANDLE!! Or you will be like the five bikes that are sitting in line at my shop for new clutch packs. Those speed handles DO NOT apply enough pressure to properly release the plates.

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What is a "speed handle", how do I know if the aftermarket handle on my ST is a "speed handle" or not.

Do they come with a different master cylinder to generate less hydraulic pressure than OEM's?

Thanks.
 
Never heard of a speed handle, but I'm betting it's an adjustable or otherwise short pull lever so it's quicker to actuate. You just want to make sure that it's not pulling the clutch slightly when at rest, and that it completely disengages when the handle is fully pulled in.
 
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MidLife said:
What is a "speed handle", how do I know if the aftermarket handle on my ST is a "speed handle" or not.

Do they come with a different master cylinder to generate less hydraulic pressure than OEM's?

Thanks.
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I asked this question in a For Sale thread.

I'm assuming he means lever. The one in the pic seems to be an ASV C5 shorty. Supposedly their unbreakable lever (debatable from experience). They are installed to the stock master cylinder and do not affect the ratio/pressure at all. They are somewhat popular among the sport crowd and their application range reflects this. HTH.
 
Joeywhat said:
Never heard of a speed handle, but I'm betting it's an adjustable or otherwise short pull lever so it's quicker to actuate. You just want to make sure that it's not pulling the clutch slightly when at rest, and that it completely disengages when the handle is fully pulled in.
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I'm fairly certain that there is not fulcrum adjustment on the ASV lever. It should be a shorter lever, but not one that affects the pull. I'm not a fan of the company, but they do make good levers that are designed well. I have never seen an issue where a proper application ASV lever has placed any pressure against the M/C piston in it's neutral position.
 
MidLife said:
I started a thread to avoid going off topic and distracting from the sale of your beautiful bike. Would like to understand if there are implications with my own aftermarket lever.



Same here.
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That was very thoughtful of you! Unfortunately, it's not my bike, or I'd likely have ended up keeping it ;)
 
MidLife said:
What is a "speed handle", how do I know if the aftermarket handle on my ST is a "speed handle" or not.

Do they come with a different master cylinder to generate less hydraulic pressure than OEM's?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

If your clutch handle does not look like this, it is not a Honda OEM part.

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aniwack said:
If your clutch handle does not look like this, it is not a Honda OEM part.

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Agreed! However, I've run aftermarket performance clutch and brake levers on a multitude of bikes from different manufacturers (Honda included) with nary a problem in fit, finish and/or performance. That said, I try to avoid all Chinese knock-offs or even Chinese-made motorcycle parts, when possible.

FWIW, I've been a reseller, distributor, tuner, and mechanic in performance bike circle for many years.
 
Igofar said:
And yet you ride Ducati’s
:rofl1:
Just joking, the only two ducks I’ve owned were a GT750 sport and a mustard yellow 450 single.
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Are you referring to this? ;)
motorbike_posters_ducati_by_eccles116_d1cu24q-375w-2x.jpg

Ducati's mostly nowadays, primarily because they resonate with me, what I like about motorcycles, and how they make me feel. But I am fortunate enough to have a nice large harem :roflmao: which also includes Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM, and Vespa. Interestingly, my first bike and my most recent bikes are both Hondas.

BTW, I like your taste in Ducati's... I have yet to own or ride anything before the 90's. Hopefully, a Pantah or bevel-drive next.
 
1974 750 SS (senior moment) not the GT.
I let that slip through my fingers for a Laverda Jota, stupidly of youth.

Found the yellow 450 single scrambler hanging upside down from the ceiling at an old dirt bike shop.
There is another one still on the wall as art in one of our surplus stores in town.
Tried to get it several times, owner won’t part with it.
 
aniwack said:
If your clutch handle does not look like this, it is not a Honda OEM part.

1744228678401.png
Click to expand...

I know my clutch handle is not Honda OEM.

I am just trying to understand the post.

What is a speed handle? I'd like to find out if my aftermarket lever might be one of these speed handles that you have observed causing premature clutch wear.


Thank you.
 
From the other thread:

I believe he's referring to leverage and travel. A clutch lever that is easier to pull, as a matter of physics, cannot separate the plates as far, unless the lever can travel farther.
 
Larry Fine said:
From the other thread:

I believe he's referring to leverage and travel. A clutch lever that is easier to pull, as a matter of physics, cannot separate the plates as far, unless the lever can travel farther.
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I understand what you are saying, but I believe this to be inaccurate. Hydraulic clutch M/C's operate similar to front brake M/C's. The larger the piston, the easier the pull and the shorter the stroke necessary to displace the same amount of hydraulic fluid or mineral oil in the case of many Magura clutch M/C's. The displacement of the fluid will cause the slave cylinder to move a certain amount, engaging or disengaging the clutch. In this case, the piston is not being changed... the lever is simply shorter than a standard length (which technically is harder to pull as the force is distributed over two fingers vs. four). If the lever is designed correctly (and IME, ASV does so) the lever actuation if pretty much the same, and I'd bet good money that the pivot profile is the same as well). If the clutch M/C piston is displaced the same amount with the aftermarket lever and the OEM lever, why would steel and friction plates not separate as far? I'm no engineer, nor am I a physicist, but what you're saying doesn't make sense.

edit: Is there a possibility of an improper lever or application being used?
 
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DesmoRonin said:
The larger the piston, the easier the pull and the shorter the stroke necessary to displace the same amount of hydraulic fluid or mineral oil in the case of many Magura clutch M/C's.
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I disagree: The larger the piston, the harder the pull and the shorter the stroke necessary to displace the same amount of hydraulic fluid . . .

DesmoRonin said:
The displacement of the fluid will cause the slave cylinder to move a certain amount, engaging or disengaging the clutch. In this case, the piston is not being changed... the lever is simply shorter than a standard length (which technically is harder to pull as the force is distributed over two fingers vs. four).
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Agreed.

DesmoRonin said:
If the lever is designed correctly (and IME, ASV does so) the lever actuation if pretty much the same, and I'd bet good money that the pivot profile is the same as well). If the clutch M/C piston is displaced the same amount with the aftermarket lever and the OEM lever, why would steel and friction plates not separate as far?
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Agreed, if.

A lever that is closer to the grip at rest, and thus less travel, also cannot separate the plates as far.


So, what physically different between the OEM lever and the ones causing damage?
 
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