This is why I am not a mechanic. I am replacing my front levers. The box says a 20 minute job. I had to drive into town to but a set of "outside snap ring pliers". Now I have them but the snap ring doesn't want to come off. Of course there is no easy angle to see what the heck I am doing. I bet that when the ring does come off, it will shoot across the garage and I will never find it again.
Hey, but I am learning!

 

Hmmm, you must be related to me! Go back into town, get some of the clips, use a flat bladed screwdriver and pry the old ones off.

Paul in Colorado

 

When it snaps across the garage and under something that hasn't been moved for at least a year and you pull every thing out still can't find it then go buy 2 new ones ,come into the garage see the "lost " snap ring next to your bike and then draw blood installing snap ring you will be able to officially call yourself a mechanic!!!

 

Hey, you sound like me. I can turn a 20 minute job into a weekend project. LOL.

 

This past weekend i just found a clip from my rear axle I lost 6 yrs ago

 

Great post walkerinin....made me laugh and also think about myself.

Still fun learning though huh?

 

Get a couple of snap rings just in case. The clutch lever, adjust it till itgoes all the way back to the grip with no pressure on it. The front brake will require a spacer inserted between the lever and housing so that you don't brake the front brake switch. Good luck. The spacer is 5/32 or 4mm.

 

The ring can turn in it's groove. Take a flash light and look up underneath, then turn the ring in the groove so that the holes are on the outside where you can get to them. I use a pair of Sears reversible internal/external pliers and they work great. You should also replace the retaining ring anyway.

 

Theae projects are never as easy as they seem. I learned the hard(expensive) way to read all of the cautions when working on my bike. Such as put the 5/32 shim in the front brake lever when removing the handlebars. Live and learn.

 

My Dad always said... "Every job is easy until you start it." I hate it when he's right.