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Is there supposed to be slop in my brake lever

  • Thread starter Thread starter Quick Cal
  • Start date Start date
Q

Quick Cal

Guest
I just rebuilt my front master cylinder. I had things tore apart for about a month, so I'm a little fuzzy on how things were before. Now that the bike is bake on the road, it seems like I have a lot of free play in the brake lever before it actually makes contact with the mc plunger. Is this normal. Truthfully, I don't remember how it was before. I have a friend telling me that's not normal.

There was no return spring on the lever. I don't see one on the parts diagrams either. Thanks
 
Hi Cal ... Does the bolt or the lever have ware...? Pull it and look....
 
haztoys said:
Hi Cal ... Does the bolt or the lever have ware...? Pull it and look....
Click to expand...


My original has a little wear in the lever bushing, but the new/used one I put on doesn't.

Maybe this is normal, maybe not. I've just never seen so much free play on a brake lever. I was thinking it should be more like my clutch lever. Shouldn't it. :confused:
 
So,,,could someone at least go pull on their brake lever and tell me if it has free play in it before making contact. Thanks
 
Pump up the front brakes and hold the lever to the handle as tightly as you can. Now wrap it with a bungee cord and let it sit over night full pulled in. Then see how it is when you remove the bungee cord in the morning. Dont ask me how, but it works.
 
chuck hahn said:
Pump up the front brakes and hold the lever to the handle as tightly as you can. Now wrap it with a bungee cord and let it sit over night full pulled in. Then see how it is when you remove the bungee cord in the morning. Dont ask me how, but it works.
Click to expand...

I tried your tip, and no luck. I don't believe it's a pressure kind of problem.

When I first reassembled it before any fluid was added, it has that much play. Like I said, maybe it's normal. I just wish someone would pull on their lever and tell me if it has play.

I have 3/4" of travel before the lever touches the plunger.

picture.php


picture.php
 
A quarter of an inch up by the cable is about normal. That is what you are seeing at the other end of the lever. Start worrying about it if that free play goes away, front brake lockup is soon to follow if it does. That's the travel distance for the master cylinder to block (pass) the return pressure hole before it starts applying pressure to the brakes.
 
Last edited:
Quick Cal said:
I tried your tip, and no luck. I don't believe it's a pressure kind of problem.

When I first reassembled it before any fluid was added, it has that much play. Like I said, maybe it's normal. I just wish someone would pull on their lever and tell me if it has play.

I have 3/4" of travel before the lever touches the plunger.

picture.php


picture.php
Click to expand...


Cal, I just went out and measured mine as you did, and I have roughly the same amount of play as you do. It is on my list to replace the lines and rebuild the MC and calipers. I'm not an expert Cal, but what I would worry about is fade (movement of the lever, while holding steady pressure) in the position or mushy-ness.

Glad to see you're still around.

cg
 
Thanks for the reply Charlie. At least now I know that part is normal.

Every time I look at my bike I think of how much better it looks with the tank/plastic's I got from you. Heck, just a hour ago a guy told me, "Nice looking Classic". :D That made me feel good as I was sitting there with my front brake locked up. :mad: But I all ready have a thread started about that.


So Chuck.

While the bungee trick didn't cure my slop...which now seems to be normal,,,it did slightly change the feel of the lever. It was a little firmer. Unfortunately my brakes locked up again with in a mile of riding the bike. The lever kept building more pressure. I all ready have a thread started on this subject. Can you guys take a look there please. Thanks

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=197138
 
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