Whoa, this is new. :surprise: Wonder why the potential over engineering on this seemingly mundane mechanical part?
Fluid lubricated shift lever
In the process of trying to perfect the fit of the SS to my extra long 6'5" frame, I ordered a Ducabike adjustable shift lever RPLC17 - RPLC17 - LEVA CAMBIO M1200-SS MY17 - SUPERSPORT MY 2017 - SUPER SPORT
Yesterday I pulled the OEM pedal off to replace it with this one. I was surprised to find that the OEM pedal pivot was fluid filled. And by filled, I mean more than simply moistened and a drop or two of smooth liquid lubricant came out when I pulled the pivot, and that fluid smelled like a gear oil. If you look at the diagram for the lever you will notice that the pivot is sandwiched by two o-rings, and the pivot bolt itself has a channel cut into it to act as a reservoir for the lubricant.
The assembly appears the same in both the S and non-S versions of the bike.
I don't recall a fluid service on the schedule, I'd be curious to see what the shop manual says about R&R of the pedal. Also, I'd like to see the torque specs for this as I imagine over-torquing might lead to failure of the o-rings. In previous bikes I've owned this pivot has been a simple bronze bushing lubricated as necessary with some white lithium grease. Is this something new across the motorcycle world that I'm just not tuned into?
And no, this isn't April 1st and this isn't a joke about shift lever fluid.
FYI: The replacement lever from Ducabike operates on a needle bearing and really only offers about 1/4" adjustability on the toe-peg eccentric, not enough to be useful to me sadly. It does appear to have saved me a few grams though. I have the matching rear brake lever that I am hoping to get the toe peg extended so that I can actually use it without feeling like I'm trying to kick the clutch cover off.
Yesterday I pulled the OEM pedal off to replace it with this one. I was surprised to find that the OEM pedal pivot was fluid filled. And by filled, I mean more than simply moistened and a drop or two of smooth liquid lubricant came out when I pulled the pivot, and that fluid smelled like a gear oil. If you look at the diagram for the lever you will notice that the pivot is sandwiched by two o-rings, and the pivot bolt itself has a channel cut into it to act as a reservoir for the lubricant.
The assembly appears the same in both the S and non-S versions of the bike.
I don't recall a fluid service on the schedule, I'd be curious to see what the shop manual says about R&R of the pedal. Also, I'd like to see the torque specs for this as I imagine over-torquing might lead to failure of the o-rings. In previous bikes I've owned this pivot has been a simple bronze bushing lubricated as necessary with some white lithium grease. Is this something new across the motorcycle world that I'm just not tuned into?
And no, this isn't April 1st and this isn't a joke about shift lever fluid.
FYI: The replacement lever from Ducabike operates on a needle bearing and really only offers about 1/4" adjustability on the toe-peg eccentric, not enough to be useful to me sadly. It does appear to have saved me a few grams though. I have the matching rear brake lever that I am hoping to get the toe peg extended so that I can actually use it without feeling like I'm trying to kick the clutch cover off.
Attachments
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Flame me if you want, but I have to wonder why this forum seems to be spring loaded to the instant hysteria position?
Obviously the o-rings are meant to retain the lubricant but they also serve as weather shields. The lubricant from the factory is the old tried and true Shell Retinax HD2, the blue stuff. It grades out to NLGI 2 & 3 and is EP. Myself, for such applications I use BelRay motorcycle grease which coincidentally is also blue.
Don't know what chart you are looking at but on the Ducati Service scheduled Maintenance Chart lever and pedal lube is specified at each 9000 miles/12 months.
The torque is 23 NM.
Obviously the o-rings are meant to retain the lubricant but they also serve as weather shields. The lubricant from the factory is the old tried and true Shell Retinax HD2, the blue stuff. It grades out to NLGI 2 & 3 and is EP. Myself, for such applications I use BelRay motorcycle grease which coincidentally is also blue.
Don't know what chart you are looking at but on the Ducati Service scheduled Maintenance Chart lever and pedal lube is specified at each 9000 miles/12 months.
The torque is 23 NM.
I was also impressed by the elaborate pedal lube system when I took my shift linkage apart. Don't know if over-torquing will compress the seals. It felt like a metal/metal stop between the bolt and subframe on assembly with the lever rotating freely once torqued, but I wasn't really looking closely at that. I'll check it out next time it's apart...soon.In the process of trying to perfect the fit of the SS to my extra long 6'5" frame, I ordered a Ducabike adjustable shift lever RPLC17 - RPLC17 - LEVA CAMBIO M1200-SS MY17 - SUPERSPORT MY 2017 - SUPER SPORT
Yesterday I pulled the OEM pedal off to replace it with this one. I was surprised to find that the OEM pedal pivot was fluid filled. And by filled, I mean more than simply moistened and a drop or two of smooth liquid lubricant came out when I pulled the pivot, and that fluid smelled like a gear oil. If you look at the diagram for the lever you will notice that the pivot is sandwiched by two o-rings, and the pivot bolt itself has a channel cut into it to act as a reservoir for the lubricant.
The assembly appears the same in both the S and non-S versions of the bike.
I don't recall a fluid service on the schedule, I'd be curious to see what the shop manual says about R&R of the pedal. Also, I'd like to see the torque specs for this as I imagine over-torquing might lead to failure of the o-rings. In previous bikes I've owned this pivot has been a simple bronze bushing lubricated as necessary with some white lithium grease. Is this something new across the motorcycle world that I'm just not tuned into?
And no, this isn't April 1st and this isn't a joke about shift lever fluid.
FYI: The replacement lever from Ducabike operates on a needle bearing and really only offers about 1/4" adjustability on the toe-peg eccentric, not enough to be useful to me sadly. It does appear to have saved me a few grams though. I have the matching rear brake lever that I am hoping to get the toe peg extended so that I can actually use it without feeling like I'm trying to kick the clutch cover off.
I considered the Ducabike lever too. It looked pretty cool, but since I'm going for GP Shift it wouldn't quite work. Ended up ordering a Chinese lever for a hyprestrada/hypermotard on eBay. If it doesn't work it'll be a Xmas present for a friend, and I'm not out too much:
Adjustable Gear Shift Lever For Ducati Hypermotard 820/939, Hyperstrada 821/939
I've used chinese shorty hand levers on my racebikes with good results. Although the Supersport won't be treated to $100 levers anytime soon, it might be getting a $400 Rizoma triple clamp for mounting conventional handlebars! :grin2: (hysterical grin?)
I wonder if it's damping fluid. Have you felt is softens when moving the rod passed the gear selection. I have felt a spongy feel on mine but had never really thought about it. BTW nice find on the lever. I think the black looks good. Bit expensive though.Do you have a url link to the rear brake lever or is it the same supplier provided in your previous post.In the process of trying to perfect the fit of the SS to my extra long 6'5" frame, I ordered a Ducabike adjustable shift lever RPLC17 - RPLC17 - LEVA CAMBIO M1200-SS MY17 - SUPERSPORT MY 2017 - SUPER SPORT
Yesterday I pulled the OEM pedal off to replace it with this one. I was surprised to find that the OEM pedal pivot was fluid filled. And by filled, I mean more than simply moistened and a drop or two of smooth liquid lubricant came out when I pulled the pivot, and that fluid smelled like a gear oil. If you look at the diagram for the lever you will notice that the pivot is sandwiched by two o-rings, and the pivot bolt itself has a channel cut into it to act as a reservoir for the lubricant.
The assembly appears the same in both the S and non-S versions of the bike.
I don't recall a fluid service on the schedule, I'd be curious to see what the shop manual says about R&R of the pedal. Also, I'd like to see the torque specs for this as I imagine over-torquing might lead to failure of the o-rings. In previous bikes I've owned this pivot has been a simple bronze bushing lubricated as necessary with some white lithium grease. Is this something new across the motorcycle world that I'm just not tuned into?
And no, this isn't April 1st and this isn't a joke about shift lever fluid.
FYI: The replacement lever from Ducabike operates on a needle bearing and really only offers about 1/4" adjustability on the toe-peg eccentric, not enough to be useful to me sadly. It does appear to have saved me a few grams though. I have the matching rear brake lever that I am hoping to get the toe peg extended so that I can actually use it without feeling like I'm trying to kick the clutch cover off.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
