I'm looking at getting a set of aftermarket levers and there are so many to choose from. I have read many pages about peoples preference over CRG or Pazzo and also the fleabay knock-offs but most peoples view on their purchase is straight out of the box........or just after installing them. I am interested to see peoples views after a while of using them and sun exposure. How does the colour stand up over time and build and material quality?

I'm looking at getting a set of black levers and obviously turning purple after a few rides doesn't appeal!

Interested to see if people have tried the other brands of levers as well like Ducabike, CNC Racing, Rizoma, MW and Gillies.

Cheers.

I tired the Oberon Aero adjustables when I had the masters for it, simple installation, no hassles . . .

Have also used Ducabike on the coffin masters, also simple install . . .

Installed some Rizoma ones for a customer . . . had to fiddle with them a bit . . .

My $0.02

I've got a MW brake lever. It folds up in a stack and has a knob type front span adjuster. The more angular blade fits my fingers/hand perfectly. It looks powder coated to me so I'm glad of that.

I have a CRG adjuster-click clutch lever. It's metallic grey/silver and appears anodised. It is a great fit for how I hold the clutch and fits into the first joint of my fingers/finger tips. I kind of use the lever with a finger tip action rather than with the palm.

I picked up both levers on the forum and they were good deals from good guys.

I 'spose that's the thing, it's about individual fit. Both those levers are very well made and look great. Clearly I don't care about the asymmetry. Keep an eye out for used levers on the forum and I note that Motowheels and Monsterparts have deals going from time to time, including used parts or closeout sales.

I've now got a set of CRG "garage sale" shorties.  There's nothing wrong with them.  My bike just turned into Amber Sweet after my last trip to CO...

My understanding is that all black anodizing turns purple eventually, the better stuff just lasts longer in the sun.

My bike came with eBay knock off CRG's. The anodizing was faded and the levers had a lot of slop to them. I replaced them with genuine CRG's and am very happy. I have only had them a year so can't really comment on the fading yet.

My clutch CRG is working as it did ~100,000km ago - grey lever and red adjuster haven't faded at all.

To help with the anodising you need to look for products which have been hardcoat anodized this is the only way to prevent coloured parts fading and black parts turning purple. I can pretty much guarantee that the cheap ebay knock offs will all be type 1 decorative anodozing which will fade and scratch very easily stick with a reputable brand and you shouldn't have any issue.

 I have a set of the ASV C5 levers and really like them. 5 year warranty, if you break them in a crash, free replacements. The adjustment wheel allows for fine tuning.

+1 with the ASV.  Fantastic levers and great quality.  I had them on my old Triumph and no issues at all.  I currently have Rizoma's, which were on the bike when I bought it.  I had them on my old Monster as well.  They are good enough that I haven't bought another set of ASV's yet but I am less keen on the way they bend up in a crash, which I find a bit distracting as you sometimes move them whilst riding.  The ASV's bend back, which seems to be a better solution.  No anodising issues with either.  Both have more reach positions than you know what to do with.  The ASV adjuster is more discreet.

I went with the MotoWheels Folding levers.  Good price, incredible quality and super easy to fit.  One of the reasons I grabbed them was the lack of brand name carved into them.  Just a clean and simple lever.

Quote from: deviant on April 27, 2014, 03:01:49 AM
To help with the anodising you need to look for products which have been hardcoat anodized this is the only way to prevent coloured parts fading and black parts turning purple. I can pretty much guarantee that the cheap ebay knock offs will all be type 1 decorative anodozing which will fade and scratch very easily stick with a reputable brand and you shouldn't have any issue.

I agree that sticking with a reputable brand usually is the best policy to avoid product issues.

Advice to look for products which have been hardcoat anodized seems logical but is actually almost impossible to do when it comes to aluminum dress up bits for bikes. Hard anodizing is no guarantee against fading and, in fact, most hardcoated aluminum products are left in their natural state which is usually a darker shade of grey. I've worked with a lot of hard anodized parts and do not think I have never seen any which were dyed. The increased cost of hard anodizing and the lack of color selection are significant reasons MC aftermarket manufacturers do not use it routinely.

The problem with fading is relative to the quality of the anodizing process, the equipment, and the materials, not the type of anodizing. Various anodizers will select their materials from various vendors. The dyes can vary in color as well as UV resistance. Their equipment and the resultant fidelity of their process will also vary. Case in point, compare some of the Chinese anodizing to U.S. or European anodizing and the difference in the dyes are quite apparent although they are using the same type process.

The propensity for color fading of anodized parts is proportional to the amount of UV radiation and heat the part is exposed to. Some dyes and/or colors do better than others. Myself, I select my anodized part cleaning product based on UV protection properties. Coming from an aerospace background, my choice is 303 Aerospace Protectant. I found some at a marine supplies store and no longer have to order it on line. Unfortunately it does not prevent fade caused by heat. I have SpeedyMoto belt covers and two of the pieces look like new, but the one close to the exhaust has faded somewhat in comparison

 Before I went into the military I had a job in a plating shop and I did a fair bit of anodizing, the hard anodizing was done by only 1 senior fellow as the oxalic acid would eat holes in you, butt my experience parallels the old dudes.

Quote from: SpikeC on April 28, 2014, 03:14:15 PM
the old dudes.

Quote from: SpikeC on April 28, 2014, 03:14:15 PM......the old dudes.

It is wot it is. 

Quote from: SpikeC on April 28, 2014, 03:14:15 PM
the old dudes.

I'm 37!

Quote from: SpikeC on April 28, 2014, 03:14:15 PM
What?

I'm not old!

Quote from: SpikeC on April 28, 2014, 03:14:15 PM
Well, I can't just call you dude, can I?

Actually, you can.  I know the thing about the donkey butt and all... I just don't care.