Part Review: Graves Rear Brake Return Spring

Quality:	+	+	-	-	-	(2 out of 5)
Functionality:	+	+	+	+	+	(5 out of 5)
Appearance:	+	+	+	-	-	(3 out of 5)
Value:	+	-	-	-	-	(1 out of 5)
Overall:	+	+	-	-	-	(2 out of 5)
Pros:	gets the job done (period)
Cons:	oh-my-god expensive for what you get

Introduction

After installing a set of Vortex rearsets on my 2005 YZF-R6, I was experiencing a problem with the return of the rear brake pedal. I hunted around for a solution and ultimately found Graves Motorsports' rear brake return spring.

Impression

When I opened the bubble mailer to reveal what I had purchased, I actually asked myself aloud, "that's it?" I was tempted to hold the envelope upside down and shake it just to make sure I wasn't missing something, but I wasn't. The package consisted of a packing slip, a spring and a small threaded mounting plate whose diameter was just larger than the spring's. My next question to myself was, "I paid what for this thing?"

The satin titanium-look finish on the plate was nice, but it was clear this was not a precision-milled part. The threaded hole was not centered and the hex end was somewhat lopsided. Maybe I just got a bad one, but it didn't look like much care went into actually making this thing.

Installation

Installation was trivial. No instructions were necessary even without having a photo handy. Just unscrew the master cylinder pedal joint and locking nut, slip on the spring, screw on the spring plate in place of the locking nut and screw the joint back on (pocket the nut in case you ever want to return it to the stock setup). The finish on the plate is almost identical to the finish on the joint, so after it's installed one is tempted to think that these are all stock parts. This led me to wonder why Yamaha doesn't make their rear master cylinder assemblies like this in the first place.

Use

It fixed my probem, clean and simple. My brake pedal now eagerly returned to a neutral position when I relinquished pressure.

Conclusion

I suspect Vortex rearsets aren't the only ones to suffer from this problem (after all, Graves makes rearsets too), so I'm sure there's a demand for this product, but I am severly unimpressed by the cost. That being said, it just works. How many modern devices can we say that about? I say if you need it, get it, unless you can find something cheaper.