Rear Brake Lever Not Returning

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by Joe2020, Dec 16, 2019.

  1. Joe2020

    Joe2020 Member

    Jun 18, 2019
    26
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    #1 Joe2020, Dec 16, 2019
    2013 Bonneville SE

    The rear brake lever is not returning properly and the brake light remains on. Not sure if the actual brake is staying on as I’ve just noticed it in the garage not while riding. The return spring is touching the exhaust pipe, and the black bit it hooks into is about a mm away from the pipe.

    Unfortunately I dropped it on that side the other day (side stand was stuck after moving it and I couldn’t get it down, and lost the bike the other way). It left a scuff on the brake lever so I wonder if I’ve bent it in towards the bike, or bent the whole assembly? I’d never looked at it before so I don’t know if it’s any different.

    745EEFF5-8AC1-4D5F-A5F8-4F517AE44DCA.jpeg

    3330C5BE-83FD-4B42-B5DF-6BDBAC85099C.jpeg

    903DEB79-7D8A-4755-B3F3-44D1AC1CB9D7.jpeg

    6E8ABC12-7B8B-458E-9109-758963A073B6.jpeg

    AF937027-84A9-4AC1-A6E1-2C04EF83B881.jpeg
     
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  2. Joe2020

    Joe2020 Member

    Jun 18, 2019
    26
    18
    Scotland
    #2 Joe2020, Dec 16, 2019
    As you can see in the last picture, the lever is not really square to the foot peg.

    So, I’m not sure if I’ve bent something or if the stuck lever is unrelated?
     
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  3. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

    Feb 25, 2017
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    #3 Callumity, Dec 16, 2019
    Joe,

    I don’t know how far away you are but this a much more simple mechanism than you might think.....as I could show you.......

    There is a pressure switch at the top of the master cylinder under the side cover. The actuating rod sits hard up against the footpeg bracket and easily fouls it. Likewise the pivots are vulnerable to dirt.

    Slacken the 2 Allen bolts on the footpeg mount. I bet you find it frees up and you can see what is fouling. The lower pivot point is a bolt. You just need to prise off that black plastic cap. Unscrew it and clean all the links. If necessary carefully bend the actuating rod fractionally outwards to provide clearance. It might have been bent inwards.
     
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  4. Joe2020

    Joe2020 Member

    Jun 18, 2019
    26
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    Scotland
    #4 Joe2020, Dec 16, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2019
    Thanks. I think I see the switch at the top of the cylinder - the bit under the rubber cover? How does that come into it?

    The mount isn’t budging even after removing those Allen bolts but there looks to be another bolt under the sprocket cover. I can’t see the rod fouling anything though.

    I can certainly clean all the links and see if that helps. Would I be better removing the whole assembly and dismantling it to do that, or just give it as good a clean as I can while it’s in situ?
     
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  5. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

    Feb 25, 2017
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    #5 Callumity, Dec 16, 2019
    OK the whole mechanism is a spring loaded rocker. You press down but the rod goes up and pressurises the master cylinder and brake light switch on the top of the ‘line’ with wires attached. It should return under its own steam and with spring assistance.

    You need to establish where the friction in the mechanism exists. The sprocket cover is not irrelevant. I suspect you are looking at the swingarm pivot bolt retaining nut......remove the sprocket cover and you have access to the pinch bolt.

    Personally I would strip the lot. You can undo the pivot first then the swingarm nut and the footpeg will swing free to remove clevis etc.

    The first thing to establish once you have freed off the mechanism is whether the tip over has created an hydraulic lock. If it has, your problem is not in the linkage and you can tighten back up and bleed the system.

    3BFF7CC4-7BD5-47DD-82FF-EC814AC1DCFE.jpeg
     
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  6. Joe2020

    Joe2020 Member

    Jun 18, 2019
    26
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    #6 Joe2020, Dec 16, 2019
    Ok thanks, I’ll give it a clean up first then see how it goes. I’ve just noticed that the rear brake fluid level is on the lower line on the reservoir, which I assume increases to some degree the chances of getting air in the system when it tipped?
     
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  7. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

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    #7 Callumity, Dec 16, 2019
    Quite possibly.....the disassembly process will reveal the issue.
     
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  8. Joe2020

    Joe2020 Member

    Jun 18, 2019
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    #8 Joe2020, Dec 16, 2019
    Great, thanks very much for your help.
     
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  9. joe mc donald

    joe mc donald Joe
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    #9 joe mc donald, Dec 16, 2019
    Joe2020
    Don't forget you have adjustment in the arm or rod there. Clean up re bleed adjust and it will possibly be all right. Do not over fill with fluid as that is as bad and leaves the pads rubbing. Which could also be a factor. Make sure you pads are not to worn.
    Regards
    Joe.
     
  10. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

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    #10 Callumity, Dec 16, 2019
    Good point, the two nuts on the threaded rod allow you to adjust the angle of the brake lever to your personal tastes....
     
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  11. Joe2020

    Joe2020 Member

    Jun 18, 2019
    26
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    #11 Joe2020, Dec 16, 2019
    That’s good to know, will check the pads and look at the rod adjustment too.
     
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  12. Joe2020

    Joe2020 Member

    Jun 18, 2019
    26
    18
    Scotland
    #12 Joe2020, Dec 16, 2019
    That’s good to know, will check the pads and look at the rod adjustment too.
     
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  13. Joe2020

    Joe2020 Member

    Jun 18, 2019
    26
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    #13 Joe2020, Dec 23, 2019
    Turns out it was a stuck piston, and a very worn pad.
     
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  14. joe mc donald

    joe mc donald Joe
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    #14 joe mc donald, Dec 26, 2019
    Joe2020
    Glad you got sorted mate.
    Regards & Ride Safe.
    Joe    ​
     
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  15. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

    Feb 25, 2017
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    #15 Callumity, Dec 27, 2019
    Well it all needed come apart anyway! Good job and pleased for you that it’s fixed.
     
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