Centralising front brake - spindle nut clearance.

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 11:57 pm

Not all levers fit flush to the bars, some are a couple of mm shy along the right angle spur that the lever is bolted to, this may be to allow another fitting to pass underneath but can lead to flexing if there is nothing there.

SPRIDDLER · Post by **SPRIDDLER** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:13 am

Exactly so, Druncan.
I've a pair which I bought whilst experimenting with adapting my cable controls to L/H operation and they are as you describe. When the lever is squeezed the whole assembly leans towards the hand until that heel touches the 'bars which results in a very squidgey feel to brake (and clutch).Edited by - SPRIDDLER on 14 Jun 2012 09:14:36 AM

bjork · Post by **bjork** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 11:26 am

quote:
Not all levers fit flush to the bars, some are a couple of mm shy along the right angle spur that the lever is bolted to, this may be to allow another fitting to pass underneath but can lead to flexing if there is nothing there.

Same experience here. On some bike or other with this problem, I made a temporary fix by inserting a peice of packing under the gap and hey presto a much better lever feel. Once you know if that's it it's time to get some better levers. There are some pretty crummy levers out there!

CAB · Post by **CAB** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:32 pm

I had to grind the lever mount with a dremel to make the clamp sit properly on the bar, not a massive improvement unfortunately. My 1968 Bonneville is the same and I'm pretty sure those levers are genuine....
CAB

Crafty · Post by **Crafty** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 10:02 pm

Crafty · Post by **Crafty** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 10:05 pm

I had a similar problem which I eventually solved by regrinding about three thou ovality out of the drum after trying most of the usual fixes

Wumpletoad · Post by **Wumpletoad** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 12:45 am

quote:
It's best to have the new linings well bedded in before you do the mod. New linings do make the lever feel "spongy" sometimes until they are fully bedded in.Edited by - Tolly on 11 Jun 2012 9:29:02 PM

It seems that modern eco-friendly linings have vastly inferior performance compared with that of the original materials. For what relevance it might have, after two years and four thousand miles of fairly spirited riding, my new asbestos-free linings exhibit approximately 50% drum contact - it is only now that the brakes are developing any noticeable effectiveness.

The chalk application is a good idea, if only to demonstrate the uneven state of the linings when new. When received, these give the appearance of having the surface machined to conform to a given radius but, in fact, they have only been dressed with a belt sander or equivalent and will need much bedding in of the hard material.

Wumps.Edited by - Wumpletoad on 01 Jul 2012 11:49:36 PM