The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: jjwithers on October 25, 2015, 10:43:17 PM

Title: Front brake lever is a far reach and fairly stiff
Post by: jjwithers on October 25, 2015, 10:43:17 PM

I have been test riding my 1980 R65 and the first thing I noticed is that the brake lever is out pretty far compared to all my other beemers.  It doesn't seem safe to have to reach out so far to grab it.  And there isn't much action to it.... meaning I don't have to pull it very much for the brake to actuate.
Is there any sort of adjustment I can do?
I assume a different size master cylinder might help.
Also, the front brake switch stopped working and leaves the brake light on all the time... so for now I disconnected it and use the rear brake to turn the light on for drivers behind me.  
Before i buy a new $35 switch, is there a possible problem/fix to it?
It is a single caliper bike with the brake line and switch behind the headlight.  

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Front brake lever is a far reach and fairly stiff
Post by: Barry on October 26, 2015, 08:30:32 AM

Quote

And there isn't much action to it.... meaning I don't have to pull it very much for the brake to actuate.
Is there any sort of adjustment I can do?
I assume a different size master cylinder might help.  

It's normal for the lever to be very firm with little travel. especially on the early models which have a 13mm master cylinder vs 12mm on the later models. So as you suggest the only adjustment possible is a smaller master cylinder.

There is one thing you could check. If the caliper pistons are not retracting properely, besides causing drag it will restrict lever travel even more than usuual.

Title: Re: Front brake lever is a far reach and fairly stiff
Post by: jjwithers on October 26, 2015, 10:33:11 AM

The caliper functions properly.  The only thing that does not function is the brake switch.  
Thanks for the reply.

Title: Re: Front brake lever is a far reach and fairly stiff
Post by: Bob_Roller on October 26, 2015, 11:58:40 AM

Only suggestion I have, is look into ' dogleg ' levers, have no idea if they are available for BMW's or not .

Other than that or a different master cylinder, you're pretty much going to have to live with it .

Title: Re: Front brake lever is a far reach and fairly stiff
Post by: jjwithers on October 26, 2015, 12:08:35 PM

I actually thought about a dogleg lever... I wonder if I have one from all my spare parts that will fit the same housing as the R65.... time to experiment.  
Another thought was heating and bending the lever a bit... But i won't because i definitely don't want to compromise the strength of the metal.

Title: Re: Front brake lever is a far reach and fairly stiff
Post by: Tony Smith on October 26, 2015, 03:28:18 PM

The levers are different 79-80 and 81-85. I went for the earlier lever on my 84 to solve a problem of the lever being too close to the bar ( I have big hands).

You may find that the later lever will do the opposite for you - be aware that there is 10~ 15 minutes work with a rat tailed file to adjust the "stops" built into the perch casting.