| Author | Message | ||
     Buelljunkie |
Question..Are there differences in stock front brake levers for XB's? Been looking around the archives for about the last 45 minutes with no luck, so here's my problem...2008 Firebolt, GF tried to walk bike out of garage, bike slowly tipped away from her. She didn't drop it, but it did fall against the house and snap the front brake lever. I had an extra set of levers from a 2009 Lightning and replaced the broken brake lever. It seemed to work properly, so I drove slowly down my street to test. Within a few hundred feet the front brake gradually but very quickly brought me to a stop, and would not release. I had to remove the brake lever to release the brake. I compared the original 2008 lever with the replacement 2009 lever, and I don't really see any difference, although it looks like the tab on the lever which depresses the MC piston assembly could be slightly longer on the replacement than on the original. I bought another replacement lever for XB's on eBay, but am unsure of the model year of the replacement. It works fine pushing the bike around the garage, but I gave another test ride today and the front brake locked up again, only it took about a mile to occur. I'm glad the guy behind me was paying attention, because I stopped quick! I removed the brake lever and the front brake released as it had done before. Am wondering now if there may be damage in the MC, but the fact that removing the lever releases the caliper tells me otherwise. Don't know why it would make a difference, but the original lever is black, and both replacements were natural finish. Any thoughts? Thanks a lot, Dave. | ||
| Teeps |
If the brake releases when the lever is removed; it's the lever. Likely the part of the lever that presses on the m/c piston is too long. This is a known problem with chinese knockoff levers... You can: get the proper lever or file the push part of the lever until there is sufficient clearance. | ||
| Buelljunkie |
Teeps, like you, I was thinking it was the levers. And yes, I read about the chinese crap levers - I would never buy those. These were stock levers, though...the originals and both replacement levers. That's why i was asking if anyone knew whether there were any differences between the model years. I think I'll change the brake fluid, change the pads, and hone the rotors to de-glaze them. Then put it all back together and raise up the front end and see where I'm at. Thanks, Dave | ||
| Ericz |
I think there is a slight difference between the lever for the ZTL2 m/c and the ZTL m/c. American Sport Bike is the only place I have read about fitment issues between the two master cylinders. Here is a link: http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/17164.html I have used the same CRG lever on the ZTL and ZTL2 m/c with no issues. The issue may only exist with stock levers. | ||
| Buelljunkie |
If there is a slight difference between the ZTL/ZTL2 levers than that may be my issue. The replacement lever I used was from my '09 Scg with the 4-pot caliper, the '08 with the broken lever has the 3-pot caliper. After I make repairs I'll raise up the front end, spin the wheel and apply the brake a few times and see if the caliper releases with no excessive rubbing. Then I should be good to go. |
