Let’s install a Gale Speed clutch master.
It’s already light enough as is, but the moment you grip the clutch lever of someone who’s gone before you, you think, “Now that’s the real deal.”
The images overlap a bit, but there were several options to choose from and I was a little torn. The holder comes in three versions: none, tank-mounted, or mirror-mounted.
The top side has a hinge, so pulling the tank stay takes a bit more effort than usual.
Lately we’ve adopted the policy of “no mirror co-fastening,” so we’ll secure it using a different method.
If you co-fasten to the mirror, you need a fixed bolt during circuit riding. The hose can twist when adjusting the mirror and get kinked. We’re learning year after year that we have to keep in mind the possibility of parts being removed somewhere our eyes can’t see.
We went with a method using a pointed (flat) anti-rotation feature.
It’s a lock nut, so it won’t come off even if it loosens. We could have cut a hex, but there’s a possibility of welding issues, so we rejected that approach.
We’ve polished it, so it looks clean. We’ve welded it with proper gas, so there’s minimal discoloration.
Once installed, it looks a bit plain, but simplicity is best.
It’s wise not to choose a master stay that makes it hard to drain fluid from the master-side nipple. When fabricating one, it’s good to prioritize serviceability, ease of removal and installation, and simple structural design. The tank is the usual Kawasaki H2 type, and since the master-side hose diameter can be changed for Brembo or Nissin, it’s a great product.
Mesh hose always needs protection. Occasionally you see bikes with bare mesh routed directly, and the frame gets all scratched up, or if it’s an oil cooler, the engine gets scuffed. It’s like hanging a stainless steel file out there. And the mesh gets clogged with dirt, which looks really ugly.
K-FACTORY’s large-diameter piston is excellent. It combines sharp response with light feel.
I didn’t realize the master switch was sold separately, so that’s on hold.
