• Welcome to the Yamaha FZ1 Forums. Member registration disables ads and allows you to post and share. Register Here.

Which levers...

R

romr

Wizard
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Messages
570
Location
Cali
Visit site
Ok so I have to replace my OEM levers because I just plain hate them. They also may have been the culprits of the cramps and bruises I got after my trip especially the clutch plus my lack of ridding time. SO, like always I have to check everything out and came up with an interesting little fact. All the top end levers (Pazzo, CRG, and ASV) use 6061-T6 Billet aluminum, FDB use 7075-T6 aluminum. So of course I have to go and look at the difference in strength and 7075-T6 is way stronger than 6061-T6. The reason? Less aluminum and more of other metals. So it’s good that it is stronger but worse because it’s heavier. I assume that is the reason the higher end guys use the 6061-T6. Less weight = good in racing after all. SO, there was one last question I had about the FBD levers, billet or cast. Billet meaning machined out of one solid piece of aluminum which implies strength vs. a liquid that has been poured into a cast. I asked the guy at FDB and he didn't answer so since the term is missing from his listing and he won’t reply I’ll go ahead and assume it is cast. I know people here are happy with the product vs. price so I guess it doesn't matter. It does seem like a toss up if the FDB are casted as they are using stronger aluminum. I really don’t even know why I spend so much time thinking about this things...I think I'll order Pazzo myself though.
 
I've had the DB's for almost a year, I love them. Can't see spending what Pazzos cost when these are such an excellent alternative. Leaves me more money for other cool stuff. :)
 
Missyl1713 said:
I've had the DB's for almost a year, I love them. Can't see spending what Pazzos cost when these are such an excellent alternative. Leaves me more money for other cool stuff. :)
Click to expand...

Or maybe the FDB....argh! I can't decide! You have the short levers right? I wonder what the difference would be or if it is harder or easier to pull one vs the other?
 
romr said:
Ok so I have to replace my OEM levers because I just plain hate them. They also may have been the culprits of the cramps and bruises I got after my trip especially the clutch plus my lack of ridding time. SO, like always I have to check everything out and came up with an interesting little fact. All the top end levers (Pazzo, CRG, and ASV) use 6061-T6 Billet aluminum, FDB use 7075-T6 aluminum. So of course I have to go and look at the difference in strength and 7075-T6 is way stronger than 6061-T6. The reason? Less aluminum and more of other metals. So it’s good that it is stronger but worse because it’s heavier. I assume that is the reason the higher end guys use the 6061-T6. Less weight = good in racing after all. SO, there was one last question I had about the FBD levers, billet or cast. Billet meaning machined out of one solid piece of aluminum which implies strength vs. a liquid that has been poured into a cast. I asked the guy at FDB and he didn't answer so since the term is missing from his listing and he won’t reply I’ll go ahead and assume it is cast. I know people here are happy with the product vs. price so I guess it doesn't matter. It does seem like a toss up if the FDB are casted as they are using stronger aluminum. I really don’t even know why I spend so much time thinking about this things...I think I'll order Pazzo myself though.
Click to expand...

I am also in the market for levers, and reading your post makes me wonder A) Would I ever bend/break a lever?, and B) How much weight difference can there be between the two different grades of aluminum? Buying things for my bike can be excruciating, because I want it to be absolutely perfect, but if it was me, and I know I am not you so this is just an opinion, but I would be looking at which lever grabs my eye and will make me happiest when I look at my bike. A lever that I don't like the look of but is the lightest thing ever will not make me any faster; the amount of change in my pocket will more than offset the difference in weight. That's just me, though. All I want is to make my bike look cool. If having the lightest FZ1 on the planet is what makes you happy, just swallow the extra $$ and get Pazzos or something. Otherwise, every time you look at your bike those levers will bother you and you'll wind up buying the right ones later anyway. Try not to drive yourself too nuts! Good luck!
 
I have the FDB's in long black as well, they are great levers. I wouldn't waste the money on the pazzo's since they are over three times as much. As far as the strength VS weight, I would say that you would only be worried about strength in a crash or tip over. In either case you will break the lever FDB or Pazzo. Now weight, you think less than one ounce per lever is going to make a difference?
 
From what I have seen the FDB and Pazzo use the exact same grade of Aluminum. The FDB levers are almost exact clones of the Pazzo. Not sure you get all the color choices with FDB though.

I wonder if there are any legal or ethical concerns with buying Chinese knock offs of patented products?
 
I had Pazzos on my FZ6. When I was selling the bike I put the OEM levers back on and was surprised that I liked OEM better than Pazzo. The next three bikes have been left OEM.
 
I have FDB levers in long black and they are great. The only con I have found is that you can't use the full range of adjustability on the clutch lever because the lever contacts the handlebar grip on the lower settings. When you consider the stock clutch lever isn't adjustable at all, this isn't really a big deal. I can't imagine that you are saving more than a couple of ounces when you pay several times more for the more expensive levers... and remember that a lot of hardcore riders actually ADD weight with heavier barends. If you can truly notice the difference in a couple of ounces on your bike that is truly incredible!
 
I had Pazzo type levers (can't recall the brand) that were they exact copy of the genuine Pazza lever and found that the bend was too much. Accordingly, I've gone back to the straighter OEM levers.

I must admit I am thinking of ASR levers. Does anyone have any idea if the ASR levers are as bent as the Pazzos?

PK1
 
I paid the mint they charge for Pazzos but I agree with Jacob in that looking at them makes me very happy. They are works of art in themselves with a finish that is as perfect as any aftermarket product.
 
I too had the lever bug, went through 3 sets and settled on the ASV (standard clutch/shorty brake).
I had a set of a top european brand,(looked like CRG) forgot what it was, and the CRG's..did nothing for me....just fet like levers......if I had tried the Pazzos before the ASV may have ended up with them cause they do look good....stayed with the ASV because of the adjustment capabilitys.
But as a a couple of the guys said.....every time you mount your ride, you are constantly in contact with your levers...and it brings a smile to your face.
Must be the BLING factor.
 
Thanks for all your guy's (and gal) input. I do understand how the cost is just so much different that it really does make one decide on the cheaper stuff. I do have a problem with the purchasing of stuff that has been copied and just because some kid that gets exploited by getting paid nothing in China, it's cheaper. That is not to say that I haven't done it before so it is a struggle shelling out more cash some times. Having said that, that poor dude in China also has to eat! I am also not judging people who do it because like I just said I have done it myself but now days I am much more conscious of it. I have quite a few buddies that have had to look for work because of this so if I can help someone keep his job for another week perhaps it's worth it...sorry if it sounds too preachy, I really am not just voicing an opinion :)

With regards to weight difference I know for all of us it doesn't make a difference but when you're competing and you win or lose by fractions of a second I'm sure weight makes a ton of difference pun intended :)
 
Last edited:
Hail said:
From what I have seen the FDB and Pazzo use the exact same grade of Aluminum. The FDB levers are almost exact clones of the Pazzo. Not sure you get all the color choices with FDB though.

I wonder if there are any legal or ethical concerns with buying Chinese knock offs of patented products?
Click to expand...

It's not the same grade aluminum though. If you read the descriptions you can see that they both use different aluminum. The only question I had was whether they both use billet aluminum.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top