Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all, I found the previous owner of my 350 had managed to force a coarse thread nut onto the foot brake lever pivot. Obviously the thread was knackered when I pulled it apart.

So now I have a new pivot shaft and the nuts for both ends. I put it all back together but when I tighten the outer 3/8 nut it binds against the brake lever and stops it moving. I noticed that the pivot was threaded into the frame boss and then lock-nutted inside the frame so I wondered if I was supposed to adjust the length of the pivot before tightening the lock-nut to get the correct pivot length?
I can't find anything in the manual so I thought I'd ask if anyone knew?

Stuart

Dunno but it sounds like a reasonable plan.

I presume the lever tube is sticking out further than the threads because the outer nut should tighten all the way down onto its washer. The lever shouldn't stick out past the plain section of the fulcrum stud.

Or I suppose you could file a smidgin off the lever assembly. Mine is such a loose fit there was room for a nylon washer between the frame and the lever.

My thoughts exactly - I should be able to tighten the outer nut without pinching. If nobody has a definitive answer then I'll do as you suggest and file the tube in the lever.

The fit of the standard nut on my bike is similar. I just tighten it gently with thread lock applied.

Hmm - interesting! Sounds like a common issue. I started out with Locktite then I thought that there must be another solution as Bullets weren't built with thread-lock in mind. It should tighten down onto the shaft without binding - shouldn't it?

In the absence of any better advice I used my first idea as to why the brake pivot mounting was so complicated. I loosened the large lock-nut at the back of the frame and backed the pivot out until the shoulder protruded beyond the edge of the brake lever. I then tightened the 3/8 outer nut as far as it would go at which point it started tightening the spindle into the frame. When the brake lever was snug but not impeded I tightened the lock-nut to keep everything locked together. It seems to work so maybe that was always the intention?

I could be wrong
But would it be worth putting a shim or washer on before the lever, the last thing you want is to wear the frame with the lever.
Just reread thread and Stinkwheel has fitted a nylon washer between frame and lever
Take care all Dai

McMurdo wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 15, 2020 10:14 pm

Hmm - interesting! Sounds like a common issue. I started out with Locktite then I thought that there must be another solution as Bullets weren't built with thread-lock in mind. It should tighten down onto the shaft without binding - shouldn't it?

Probably, but mine seemed to already have some hard type thread lock on that nut when I bought it - with just 3K miles on it so I doubt it had been undone before.

I agree that the "proper job" is to narrow the pedal spigot enough to use a shim washer either side - and fit a self locking nut. I'll possibly get around to it one day.

They actually come with a washer and one of those serrated washers under the outside nut so they are definately supposed to be tightened all the way down.

Perhaps some do....