Rear brake lever positioning

[ArizonaKev]

Ok, I know there are posts about HOW to adjust the positioning of the rear brake pedal - my question is, is there a right/recommended position for it, or is it best to just position to where it is comfortable to me?

It seems the me that when I rode motorcycles years ago, I really didn't have to lift my foot off the right peg hardly at all to apply the rear brake. But on my GZ250, I have to take my foot all the way off the pedal and raise it up to apply it. Is that a common positioning for cruiser style bikes? Where, how do most of you position your rear brake pedal? Does it really matter? Is there some kind of guideline to follow, or best practice?

Any and all advice/comments are appreciated. Thanks!


AZ Kev

[Water Warrior 2]

There is only one position!! The one that fits your leg/foot for maximum comfort and ease of operation. Adjust the pedal for your fit and ride knowing the pedal is right where you can find it at a moments notice. The factory picks a standard position for ease of assembly to save time. Each rider fits a little different. The better the bike fits the better you can ride and enjoy the bike.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

The factory picks a standard position for ease of assembly

Which is NOWHERE NEAR the handbook spec! The handbook says 45 to 55 mm above the peg, so that should be your starting point.

25.4 mm to the inch, so work it out

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alantf

The handbook says 45 to 55 mm above the peg, so that should be your starting point.

As a starting point, maybe, but really useless......as a persons riding posture and leg length makes each one different; some radically different.

In your normal riding posture, with your normal "boots", the brake pedal should just barely touch the bottom of your foot.....or just barely NOT touch it, depending on your prefrence.

[ArizonaKev]

Thanks for the replies all - I appreciate it. I think I will follow the instructions I found here for adjusting the brake pedal and see if I can't lower it a little bit.

AZ Kev

[mrlmd1]

Don't forget after you adjust the pedal you'll probably have to adjust the rear brake light switch.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

Don't forget after you adjust the pedal you'll probably have to adjust the rear brake light switch.

AND even more importantly, the rear brake adjustment.

If you are lowering the pedal, it likely will bind the brake and cause some heat (and maybe smoke) if you don't.

You may HAVE to move the rear brake adjustment to get the pedal as low as you want it.

[ArizonaKev]

So I followed the instructions that "Sarris" posted here : viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2636&p=25417&hilit=adjust+rear +brake#p25417

...and it worked like a charm. Funny thing - the reason the pedal was sitting so high was because the adjustment bolt for it was basically turned completelty out, so the pedal was floating as high as the other parts would allow, which was very high indeed! I fixed that, adjusted the rear brake and the brake light switch, and it is working like a charm. I also adjusted the shifting lever, as it was way too low, and extremely hard to get my boot under for upshifting.

The bike is much more comfortable - and safe - to ride now. I loved it before, and I love it even more now. I was also impressed by just how easy it was to make those adjustments. Awesome bike, and awesome forum - thanks all!

AZ Kev :2tup:

[alantf]

Originally Posted by ArizonaKev

the reason the pedal was sitting so high was because the adjustment bolt for it was basically turned completelty out,

There IS a locknut on the adjusting bolt - right?

[ArizonaKev]

Yep, there is a locknut on the adjusting bolt. It was completely loose when I first checked it, but I made sure to tighten it when I got the pedal where I wanted it.

Thanks,

AZ Kev