Dirt-bike enthusiasts around the world know the importance of the clutch lever and perch. High-quality, die-cast, CNC machined clutch levers made from aluminum and designed with the help of advanced technology can catapult your biking experience to the next level. This is why more and more bikers are opting for high-quality aftermarket clutch levers manufactured by reputed brands.
Such aftermarket levers can enhance the aesthetic appeal, performance, and durability of the bike, all in one fell swoop. Moreover, they are also quite reasonable in terms of price. The best aftermarket clutch levers are easy to install and maintain and can last for years with minimal upkeep. However, installing the aftermarket clutch perch and levers in the right way is essential for great riding experience.
Installing the Clutch Lever and Perch on a Dirt Bike
Every dirt-bike comes with a set of stock levers and perches. However, these might not always be of the highest quality. Moreover, the design, style, and size of the stock lever may not be what you are looking for. Alternatively, the stock perch and clutch lever on your bike may have gotten worn out after many years of use, and hence you may be looking to replace them with a set of new aftermarket levers.
Whatever the reason might be, installing aftermarket clutch levers and perch on your bike in the right way can be slightly time-consuming. So great research and some practice are a must because this is something you don’t want to mess up! The performance and durability of your dirt bike will depend – to a great extent – on the quality of clutch lever installation and maintenance.
Replacing the stock perch and clutch lever with a new, aftermarket product will take some planning and preparation. The bolt that holds the lever and perch together is the first element you need to focus on. Usually, there will be a sleeve on this bolt. The purpose of this sleeve is to ensure that the brass bushing on the clutch lever has something on which it can sit. This prevents the lever from eating the thread out, which might cause the clutch levers to be set loose.
So make sure that the brass bushing on your new aftermarket clutch lever sits comfortably on a metal sleeve that will prevent undue friction. To start off, you will need to remove the two bolts that are used to attach the clutch levers to the handlebar. Once you have taken off the bolts, it’s time to peel the rubber cover off the old clutch levers and slip the clutch cable out. This will enable you to separate the old stock levers from the dirt-bike once and for all.
Replacing the Stock Levers with New Ones
After the old clutch levers have come off, take a little rubber piece and roll it up. Loosen up the tightener attached to the clutch cable and wind the whole thing as far as it would go. Now you’ve got the clutch cable as slackened and loose as you could want. Next, you will need to carefully line up the little grooves inside the clutch cable before pulling the cable out.
After this, you can take a little break. Both the clutch levers and the little bolts that were in them, holding them together, are now out of the dirt-bike. During this time, make sure that the bushing of the new aftermarket clutch levers are tightly attached and not in any danger of falling off during the installation process.
After the inspection is complete, take up the new perch and mount it onto the handlebar of the bike, making sure to attach the clutch cable with care and precision. You might need to apply a bit of pressure, but the cable shouldn’t be hard to attach with a good yank. Then, you will need to put the new bolt in and finish off the mounting off the perch in a matter of minutes.
Getting the Right Amount of Flexibility
Finally, you will need to attach the new clutch lever to the perch and fix it in with the bolt. Make sure to tighten the bolt until the lever sits comfortably on the handlebar without moving around more than you need it to. However, you will also need to make sure that you don’t make the clutch perch and levers too tight, as that will make them hard to operate while driving. So find the perfect balance that you are happy with before tightening the bolt.
Experts believe that you shouldn’t tighten the clutch levers to the point that they stop moving. Rather, the best aftermarket levers are designed to have a little bit of flexibility on the handlebar. That will ensure that the levers can move and bend in the event of a crash and don’t break immediately on impact.
After the installation process is complete, you can put the number plate back on the bike. And congratulations! Your dirt bike is ready for the road once again, with its brand new clutch lever and perch ready to be used.
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