I loaned my Gold Wing 20 cents, and it gave me better braking!

[BigSherm]

To take up the free play in my front brake lever, a dime seemed it would fit well as a shim.

It did!

I used two.

This spaced my lever out further for my big hands, and keeps my lever from coming all the way back to my third and fourth fingers during hard two-finger braking.

Scott

[salukispeed]

I like it and easier than some of the alternatives like adjustable levers or

[5speed]

someone has to say it...so now your wing stops on a dime!

[brianinpa]

I bought a 1200 parts bike that had a dime in the front MC inspection window. Who would have thought there was more than one meaning to stopping on a dime!

[jdvorchak]

Excellent idea and only costs 20 cents!

[BigSherm]

PLUS, I'll never really be broke!

I can go to my bike if I REALLY need money!

Haha!

[Rat]

Clever ....

Gord

[mfnheff]

While bleeding my front brakes, I remembered reading this helpfulinfo on here...Made all the difference in the world. Thanks for the tip!

[BlueThunder]

All jokes aside... your brake lever is worn beyond normal serviceable limits. Is it safe with the dimes? Don't know, but when it comes to my life and safety (and brakes are right up there along with tires), I would replace it.

[jdvorchak]

Almost looks like an aftermarket brake lever. As long as your front brakes are not mushy the adjustment you made should be safe. I two finger all the time and never had an issue with the brake lever coming back too far unless there was still air in the lines somewhere.

[Graham Cracker]

Improvising at its best

[WingMan71]

Almost looks like an aftermarket brake lever. As long as your front brakes are not mushy the adjustment you made should be safe. I two finger all the time and never had an issue with the brake lever coming back too far unless there was still air in the lines somewhere.

I read this thread with great interest, since I have the same situation on my new-to-me '76 GL1000 LTD.

I just rebuilt both front brakes with new seals and new pistons last week and flushed the system with new fluid. Brakes work absolutely great now, but that slop in the lever before it hits the master cylinder activating shaft is still there!

I know that I have original brake and clutch levers since they both still have that plastic sleeve on them that has now turned a bit yellow. So, those are original. What I can't confirm to be original is the front brake master cylinder assembly. In fact, I suspect that it's not original because of its color. It is not flat black like any original I've seen on old Japanese bikes, but rather it's kind of a dark gray or pewter color, the same color as the OP's master cylinder.

If it is, in fact, a replacement master cylinder assembly, that just might explain the "take-up" in the brake lever before it hits the MC activation shaft.

Whatever the case, I'm gonna put 20 cents into mine as well and "fix" it.

Thanks for the tip!

[robin1731]

snip............ I suspect that it's not original because of its color. It is not flat black like any original I've seen on old Japanese bikes, but rather it's kind of a dark gray or pewter color, the same color as the OP's master cylinder.

Good chance it is original. But over time they fade to look as you describe. My LTD is the same way.
.

[BigBrian27]

This is a popular mod with the KLR crowd. Did it to my 07. Works well.

[WingMan71]

Wonder what GLUE people are using to hold the dime in place?

Super Glue is not a good idea since it's NOT waterproof!

(Made that mistake once before and lost the part when it rained.)

So, what glue? Epoxy?

? ? ?