Adjust shift and brake levers

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Adjust shift and brake levers

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workshop

Adjust shift and brake levers

Adjust shift and brake levers
Adjust shift and brake levers

The levers have to be positioned correctly so that shifting and braking are playfully easy.

02/25/2003

The levers must be correctly positioned so that shifting and braking is playfully easy.

THAT’S WHAT THE DRIVER NEEDS
The tools required for setting can be found in the on-board tool kit, even if the quality is usually not exactly overwhelming. It is best to use a ring spanner to protect the screw heads. The spray oil is used to lubricate the joints. Sometimes a screwdriver is also useful to carefully widen the gear or brake levers at the teeth so that they can be easily removed from the shaft


Adjust shift and brake levers

1. To check the optimal position of the gear lever, sit in a normal position on the jacked up motorcycle. Then it must be possible to place the foot loosely above and below the gearshift lever without having to remove the detent. If in doubt, it is better to set the gear lever a little higher, this brings more freedom from lean angles.


Adjust shift and brake levers

2. It is uncomfortable if the gearshift lever is set too high because then the foot has to be pulled up extremely high or even completely taken off the notch when downshifting, which leads to fatigue and cramping of the calf muscles. It should be noted that many motorcycle boots restrict the freedom of movement of the foot.


Adjust shift and brake levers

3. On most machines, the switching lever can be pulled off after loosening and pulling out the clamping screw and pushed it back onto the toothing in an offset manner. Sports machines or choppers sometimes have an adjustable linkage so that the position can be changed quickly without removing the lever.


Adjust shift and brake levers

4th. The same applies to the brake lever as to the gearshift lever. The foot only finds it quickly if it does not have to be turned or removed from the notch. However, the pedal should not be too low, otherwise it can touch down in an inclined position. The position is adjusted using a stop screw or the linkage of the brake cylinder.


Adjust shift and brake levers

5. After a change, the play on the brake cylinder must be checked. It should be possible to press the tip of the foot pedal at least two centimeters down to the pressure point. The joint between the lever and the linkage must always have play when the pedal is relieved, otherwise the brake could not release correctly and overheat.


Adjust shift and brake levers

6th. When the correct position of the brake lever has been found and the play has also been set correctly, check the function of the brake light switch and correct it if necessary. The brake light should only light up shortly before the pressure point is reached. Tighten the nuts carefully as the plastic threads are delicate.


Adjust shift and brake levers

The shift lever position can be easily adjusted on the linkage


Adjust shift and brake levers

There’s still that too!
Most modern motorcycles have hydraulic disc brakes, but old and youngtimers often have drum brakes at the front and / or rear. After a new setting of the pedal, the free travel must also be adjusted here. This is done by a nut at the end of the brake cable or linkage (arrow). It should be possible to press the pedal at least two centimeters without resistance until the pressure point is reached. The position of the lever on the brake anchor plate must not be changed. To ensure this, some manufacturers have placed specially shaped metal sheets underneath.

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