My son has just started riding a Beta Rev 50. He is a big 6 year old and a capable rider of autos...BUT... while he tries very hard with the clutch lever on the Rev 50, I'd prefer to get a smaller one.

Has anybody made this change and if so, what bike lever and post did you use succesfully?

Cheers. J.

Edited February 7, 200620 yr by KTMSprocket

Take a look at some kids mountain bike levers! worth a look

a smaller lever will reduce the mechanical advantage and make it harder to pull. Is he capable of the strength now, just can't reach the lever? I think B&J has some adjustable levers with fulcrum and stop screws that can change the ratios. Not sure if they fit the small bikes though. kcj

Hi, The previous owner had made a go at moving the standoff point. It has moved the lever, but nowhere near enough. I will tap a hole in the fulcrum and adjust it accordingly but I have this feeling that the travel won;t be enough to then actuate the clutch. Hence I asked the question.

I may give it a go tonight if the Aussie Open tennis is bad.....

I made my son a very short lever that only had room for one finger.

The advantage was that he could pull it right past his middle finger and the lever could hit the grip.

This way, I could adjust the lever way in where he could easily grab it, but it still had enough throw to fully disengage the clutch.

charlie....i don;t suppose you have a digital photo???

That's the sort of thing I mentioned a while ago for adult bikes. I'd like to try it. I only ever use one finger, so why have a lever that can fit four (or six for the locals )

Should I go into business?

"Pull the Trigger!"

It started with a brok...uh...customized lever, and I put a blob of weld on the end to keep things safe and tidy.

I like them because they're pre-broken, so I can't break them again.

I also feel much better strength and control with the lever closer to the bar.

And I have small hands.

I hate it when people have better ideas than I do!!!!

Nice one, think I may give this a try - although I'd be surprised if the 6 year old will be able to pull it...but we will see.....

Thanks for the photo...I suspect you will have started something here!!!!

did anyone mention removing a couple of the clutch springs to make it easier to pull?

I wasn't sure what impact that might have on the operation. I've never done that...How many should I pull out do you think?

If the clutch basket is conventional with six springs, try pulling out two, then test to see if the clutch slips under load in the higher gears. If not then it's ok.

Forgot to mention to be sure the springs are opposite each other in the circle!

I'll give a go. As he is only learning, I suspect the clutch slip will not be an issue as he will not be 'gunning' it. Frankly, any slip he may induce may be a good thing in the short term!!!

I haven;t dropped the gear oil yet...any suggestions. Would you go as lite as an ATF fluid? Remember - its not doing any hard work yet.

I am not sure what oil is recommended by Beta, but most bikes perform fine with ATF as long as the clutch does not seem too grabby, and ATF is inexpensive so you can change it often. It is roumoured that some clutch materials are reactive to modern engine oil additives and that they should be avoided in lew of the more expensive MTF oils designed for motorcycles. That is a topic upon itself that I cannot comment on except I recall my old Sherco came with a sticker that said "Sherco recommenda Valvoline" so I ran the Valvoline synthetic (US)10w30 in the gearbox with no problems over two years.

Continuous slippage oo the clutch is a problem and will burn the plates. If the clutch will hold enough to kill the motor when stopped it should be ok I would think.

Although you may be entering "test pilot" status, the basic principals still apply.

If the clutch pack does not use an even number of springs, normally six, then there will be a problem with removing springs creating uneven force on the plates which is not good.

I pulled up the Beta parts illustration and it was poorly illustrated and did not tell how many springs there were for the little 50.

Let us know what you find.

Cheers,

MC