Does anyone know where to get adjustable hand brakes? My husband's BMW has them, and I'd love to put them on my S'wing.

Mandy

1 Check the handlebar diameter from the donor brand to the Honda
2 Check the flow rates between the two, if the donor brand runs 2 discs it "may" have a slightly higher flow needing a shorter throw on the lever for the same effect. It may also provide interesting results with the delayed rear front split on the left brake lever setup. Interesting concept and would like to know if anyone has done this.

on the flip side, has anone converted the "rear" brake setup to operate the rear brake only. Dragging the rear brake on a downhill or on gravel/loose surface or both without the front brake cutting in would be a definite advantage. Maybe even a selectable system ( R + F, or R) could be set up. Hydraulics anyone??

Hey Mandy,

If you get to that point just take it to a good dealer and ask them to put new ones on!!!

That's what I usually do. I go to an independant dealer who specializes in souping up bikes..... He always finds a way to sort out any problems I have and without all the usual honda dealership bull**** and surcharges.... Not that I'm saying all Honda dealers are bad, but in my experience they can be a bit condescending and keen to get your business for big jobs when a little one will do!

Good luck!

Emeskay, sorry to get too complicated.
Make sure you buy a new unit from a brand that has the same brake setup.
I doubt if you can buy just an adjustable lever that would fit into the standard Swing mastercyl system.

More tech BS below

You would probably need to purchase the entire brake lever assembly from one of the other brands.
This includes the master cylinder that drives the brake calipers with oil.
The front brake on a Swing is a single rotor(disc) on the left side.
The brake lever assy is designed to pump a specified amount of oil to the brake, giving you a given amount of movement in the lever... how far your fingers have to move to make the brake work.
If the new assembly is off a scoot that has 2 rotors (Burgman)your amount of finger movement will be reduced. This could make the brake come on sooner and sharper.
The rear would be more complicated due to wierd Honda setup.

I think that all she is looking for is the three part lever that several of the BMW's had. There was a little knurled wheel near the fulcrum that allowed the part of the lever covered by the hand to be moved either nearer or further from the grip. I have no idea where she can find them, but it would seem that the off road suppliers might be a good place to start looking.

I'm not sure but the Goldwing has those. Ask the dealer if he has a set in stock and take them out to see if they will work. Or take some measurments of one on the display floor.

MaxB

Most sport bikes have them. I would check with the Honda dealer to see if they have any of the sport bike levers in stock and would they try to fit one.

Dan

I just went out to the garage to look at the levers on my SW and Goldwing. The left side levers are quite different. The right side levers are similar but the extensions that work the brake switches look different. If you wanted to go to the effort of a bit of aluminum welding they could be made to work but I doubt it otherwise. It might be easier to take the levers to a welding shop and have them cut, bend and weld them inwards a bit. Shouldn't be too expensive. A good welder could tell you whether they would be strong enough to do that.

Other than I want them - what is the reason to have adjustable brake leavers on the SilverWing?

What is the objective advantage?

The only purpose of adjustable levers is to fit your hand. Some folks with small hands find the levers out so far they can only pull them with their fingertips which is uncomfortable and doesn't provide as much gripping strength as you could get with your fingers wrapped more fully around the lever.

That makes sense.

I like it.

I can't wait to see who finds this one for the swing.

DennisB

Hi Mandy,

I was just up at RENEGADES, the local Honda Repair and parts shop here in Glenpool, and talked to the owner Dick McDonald and he let me borrow the right brake lever off a new Goldwing GL1800. I took it home and installed it on my SW....IT WORKS FOR THE RIGHT LEVER ONLY!!!

It is adjustable and is about 1 3/8" longer and when set on #5 it moves the right lever about a 1/2" closer to the throttle.

DennisB

Sorry to dig up this topic but wat about the left levers? Also, anyone ever replaced to braided hoses?

Wow! First post, no Hello Folks or anything like that, and 478 points!

The left hand lever can be fitted with a bit of filing or grinding.

Sorry for not introducing myself. I'm Fazli from Singapore. A new owner of the FJS400 '08...

Previous owner grazed something on the left side and bent the left lever. I removed it to bend it back. Doesn't have exactly the same curve, but it was not difficult to bend. Wrap the lever in a cloth, place it in a vise, and bend it to where you want it.

I would rather not do that in case I break the lever...

sharing my silverwing sw-t400 plug and play adjustable levers! check this out:

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/225675-SBF-Silverwings-Cafe-2009-2010-JDM-Euro-400-600/page266

If I pull really hard on my brake levers they almost touch the grip. So, if I were to bend them inward (any more than they are), they would surely touch the grip during a panic stop - meaning that I may not develop maximum hydraulic pressure that may be necessary for a safe stop. I went to a dealer to feel the levers on a new SWing - and they are very close to mine. My front brake pads have 90% left and my rear has 50%. I have recently bled my brakes - no air and clean brake fluid. In summary, I would advise against 'adjustable' levers as I fear you may not stop as fast when you need to stop in a hurry. Other bikes (other than the SWing) seem to often need far less travel to work well - therefore being more suitable to an adjustable lever arrangement.

on my 3mths-old swt, my original levers can also come close to the grip when stationary. however if i were to do this on the move, then i would surely have locked up the wheel and crashed as a result.
the right lever controls the front brake only and the left lever controls both brakes with a heavier emphasis on the rear, but not as heavy as yours. that 90%-50% needs some probing into. maybe old brake hoses are to be blamed?
the correct brake technique is to apply even pressure on both levers. for me, i pump the levers, aka human ABS,hopefully to prevent the "death grip" in a panic situation.
The purpose of the adjustable levers is best explained in exavid's post. In addition, levers are foldable & extendable.