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Lost a C clip

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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 07:35 AM
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Default Lost a C clip

While out on a ride yesterday, I lost the C clip that holds the pivot pin for the front brake lever.

I didn't notice it until we pulled in for a coffee stop, and the pin had worked it's way half way out of the brake lever, and was sticking up out of the lever housing. I pushed it back into place, and tied a piece of mechanic's wire around the C clip channel in the pin to keep it in place until I got home (mechanic's wire saves the day again).

Earlier in the ride, while coming to a stop at a light, I had heard a metallic 'ping' sound. The best I can describe it, it was similar sound to a small rock pinging off the inside of a fender. That's what I thought it was at the time. It seems to me the C clip is way too small to make that kind of sound, and the ping probably was a rock in the fender...but anyone ever lose one of these before, and if so, did you hear it? Just trying to figure out if that's where I lost it or not.

Also a good reminder to me to do an occasional visual scan of the bike itself as I ride. A front brake lever suddenly going all 'floppy' would have been a nasty surprise in the middle of a ride.
 
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 07:45 AM
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My front brake makes a click sound from the wheel area everytime it gets used. Done that from the get go. Everything looks ok and works ok. I just notice it.
 
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 07:55 AM
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80-90 mph I hear a chinging sound yesterday. I back it off to 70 wondering what it is. No more sound. I get to where I'm going and inspect the scoot, can't find anything noticeable. Anyways, I leave and jump back up on the interstate. 70 mph in the center lane, takin my time and notice traffic has come up on me and in my blind spots, too close for comfort. I open it back up and hear that dang chinging sound again.
Has to be that dang gremlin bell, or lets hope it is...lmfao
 
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 05:18 PM
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I hear my gremlin bell a lot too ,not sure what speed .
 
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 05:47 PM
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By the way, the correct size snap ring for the brake and clutch lever is a 13/32". A bit of an odd size, but you can get a pack of 100 on EBay for not much more than the dealer will charge you for one.


I grease my clutch and brake levers at every 5,000 mile service, and I always replace these rings, as it's very difficult to remove them without distorting them slightly, even with snap ring pliers. I consider them a "single use" part.
 

Last edited by Uncle G.; Sep 7, 2015 at 05:51 PM.
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Uncle G.
By the way, the correct size snap ring for the brake and clutch lever is a 13/32". A bit of an odd size, but you can get a pack of 100 on EBay for not much more than the dealer will charge you for one.


I grease my clutch and brake levers at every 5,000 mile service, and I always replace these rings, as it's very difficult to remove them without distorting them slightly, even with snap ring pliers. I consider them a "single use" part.
I'll have to remember that, handlebar swap comin up next.
 
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Uncle G.
By the way, the correct size snap ring for the brake and clutch lever is a 13/32". A bit of an odd size, but you can get a pack of 100 on EBay for not much more than the dealer will charge you for one.


I grease my clutch and brake levers at every 5,000 mile service, and I always replace these rings, as it's very difficult to remove them without distorting them slightly, even with snap ring pliers. I consider them a "single use" part.
Thanks for the size info! I've only had the bike for about 7k miles...I've never had the lever off, but nothing says the previous owner didn't re-use the clip.
 
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Uncle G.
By the way, the correct size snap ring for the brake and clutch lever is a 13/32". A bit of an odd size, but you can get a pack of 100 on EBay for not much more than the dealer will charge you for one.
Got a link to a ebay listing?
 
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