Author Topic: Front brake lever too stiff  (Read 1084 times)

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Offline eigenvector

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Front brake lever too stiff
« on: July 01, 2016, 11:34:51 AM »
Is there a way or explanation even on how to get the front brake lever less stiff?

Maybe I've been spoiled by my BMW, but jeeze, the lever on my 750 DOHC is a dang arm buster.  I swear I'm gonna have tendonitis in my elbow after getting back from a short jaunt.

It appears to stop the bike okay, a bit mushy but that's somewhat to be expected from these brakes - its just the pull of the lever that needs to be lightened up.

Is the pad not moving properly?
Rob
--------------------------------
2018 HD Softail Heritage
1979 CB750K Limited Edition
1977 CB550K
1984 CB700SC Nighthawk
1983 VF750S Sabre

Offline calj737

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Re: Front brake lever too stiff
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2016, 11:51:52 AM »
Downsize your master cylinder to a smaller piston size. The larger the piston, the more "wooden" the feel.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline eigenvector

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Re: Front brake lever too stiff
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2016, 12:17:09 PM »
I would not have expected that.

Just poking around I see that replacement master cylinders are super super cheap.  Like 15 bucks cheap.
Rob
--------------------------------
2018 HD Softail Heritage
1979 CB750K Limited Edition
1977 CB550K
1984 CB700SC Nighthawk
1983 VF750S Sabre

Offline simon#42

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Re: Front brake lever too stiff
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2016, 02:46:18 PM »
cal is spot on , get a smaller bore master cylinder