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For years I've just used picks to pull out the retaining clips that retain the pin for the brake/clutch levers as the holes in that clip are a lot smaller than most retaining clip tools out there. Well I was in Hobbytown USA the other day and noticed one they had with teeny tiny little ends on it. Since I can't pass up a tool I bought it and just verified it is the size for the clip on Harleys. It's made by Xuron Corp and it's model number 450. TweezerNose Plier. Wish I would have had one of those all these years and upgrading levers. Still a PITA just a little less of a PITA with these pliers. It's a tad cheaper on Amazon -->
I've had a set from Craftsman retaining clip pliers for about 10 years that work on those clips just fine. They have a set set screw at the end of each jaw so that you can change out the tips for different sizes and styles. It came with a set of different tips which included some that were straight and some with a 90 degree angle in addition to being of varying sizes. They are readily available at Sears. Pretty common tool.
Have to agree,, if you hav'nt got the right size ,, they are a PITA .... You can fight to get them off with a small screwdriver without a lot of trouble, (most of the time they fly around the garage and get lost).... Its getting the little buggers back on .....
Skeezmachine - I'd hang onto what you have as every set I've bought (Sears Craftsman, Harbor Freight, and so on) don't have the small tips anymore. See attached photo... that's just one of the three sets of those I have and none of them fit. I've tried single purpose ones from home improvement stores, Napa, etc... as well and none of them work. I'd suggest if you have a model number or a link on where to buy what you have post it for others. Until I bought the one I posted I would just use two picks.
Excellent point Martin! Those reading that are looking for the part numbers for the clips... 11379 = brake lever retaining ring (pack of 5) .... 11143 = clutch lever retaining ring (contains quantity 1)
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Nifty tool for hand lever retaining clips
