Crunchy Motorcycle Brake Lever Solution

[@izzysalamon8528]

Hi, I just wanted to say thank you for taking time to make this video about the crunchy brake lever I actually took it to the Honda dealership and the guy said oh that's normal. So I've had the bike for 6 months and I've been riding it that way feeling very unsafe every time I have to stop Now I Fixed it thanks to you. Feels like a whole different bike.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

It’s the little things! 👌🏻👌🏻 Glad you were able to smooth that out!

[@dbest1aVlogs]

Your videos = helping many that don't understand what should be done when you take your bike for service.. Thank you ..

[@PTReDaLeRtPT]

At last, I figured the issue. Many times I had this problem during long range motorcycle trips. A lot of WD40 and chain lube solved it. But, now, it's properly dismantled, cleaned and lubed on my DL650A and PCX125i. Both brake and clutch levers. Thanks a lot!

[@classicsalted]

Thanks a ton man!! I ran around a lot asking different people why my brake behaved so and the service center sked me to replace the master cylinder! After watching you're video I tried it out and my brakes are better than ever! I can't thank you enough. Instantly subbed. Will share the video with my buddies!

[@hakunamatata324]

You just saved my day. My brake lever is a real sh*t. I went to camping and I got dust everywhere in my bike. You explained very clear what has to be done! Thanks a lot.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+Whisley Santos Very welcome!!🤙🤙

[@nrdbomber]

Thank for showing us this! My ride home last night was horrible because of trying to brake smoothly and quickly, with a notchy, dry brake lever pivot. This did the trick and now it feels great again!

[@philspaces7213]

who gives this a thumbs down? you nailed it rite on the head when you said " because we do it professionally" thanks for this, i really would never have thought this to be a part of maintenance

[@fireking99]

DUDE!!!!!! My NC700X DCT front brake lever is SOOOOO crunchy! Thanks for putting out this video

[@jonwalwick2517]

My 2002 Suzuki Bandit just started doing this and your fix was right on the money. Disassembly, clean and grease only took 10 minutes and I did the clutch lever while I was at it. Thanks for your help, I was afraid it was something more serious.

[@TreyCoursey]

Thanks so much! I got my used bike about about 8 months ago...I was beginning to feel like my front brakes needed to be bled or something. Sticky and spongy. Turns out it was just this! Super easy fix and now on my list of things to keep up on. Thanks for sharing your videos and knowledge. Take care.

[@enhinyerorider5914]

Your video just fixed another bike’s brakes today. Thanks for this video!

[@bbigdog2243]

Gonna do this when I get home today. I have been having this "notched brake lever" problem for a couple of months. Bought the bike from my brother, bled the brakes thinking that was the problem, but now I know the real reason. Thanks so much for the great content!!

[@GlobalAssJr]

I've been worried for a while about my brake lever situation, not being able to come up with anything that would explain it other than a cylinder rebuild. Thanks alot!

[@simmtron]

This video just came up on my feed, and just saved me time going to the mechanic. My front brake leaver would compress then stick and them I would have to squeeze hard to apply the brake, unsafe . Took leaver off cleaned and lubed and now like new. Thanks.

[@kristofwanderer1]

My Vulcan does this and I was asking around last week about the issue and here it is. Thank for the video!

[@yveslegrand9826]

The simplest things are the most neglected. This video is awesome for this reason: thank you !

[@bobn2276]

DUDE!! This was super simple (once I saw your video) and made a HUGE difference! TY!!!

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@muratagus4855]

Watching half way through your video I have fixed the problem on my honda sh125cc Thank youuuuuuu

[@veselinkashilski7890]

Man i had that problem with the brake lever and i'm really thankful for your videos! It is possible that you have saved my life! I made a videos before and after.. If you want them i can send it any time.

[@carsongifford754]

Awesome video, worked perfectly for me! Was having the "crunchy" feel for a few weeks and couldn't describe it quite right to get any other answers online. This video was a godsend haha. Cheers man, keep up the great videos!

[@maddogmorgan1]

OMFG!!! Thanks so much for this! Just bought a 2nd hand GS500 that would do this like crazy, brakes would start to come on then BAM!! Just got back from doing this and problem solved!

[@davidbicking2626]

Lol this video went up on my birthday. Same day i got my rm 125 with this problem. I almost rebuilt my master cylinder. Thanks for the video and keep up the good work. Very nice videos

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+David Bicking Happy birthday man! Consider it my gift to you! 🤙🤙

[@kemitchell]

These basics matter so much. Even if it seems simple, it's worth reminding to focus on it. I rebuilt caliper and master cylinder on a 79 CB650 to try and improve brake feel. Probably 80% of the improvement I got was from uncrudding and greasing the shoulder screw! The clearance issue with the throttle lines made me think about cabinet screwdrivers. They're shaped differently, without the flare of the standard "keystone" drivers. If you can sight a straight line to the slot, you can get there with a cabinet screwdriver. Good to have a set. A small one is great for carb work, too, especially if you grind down the tip so it seats better in flat slots of jets and adjustment screws. It's basically the same as a gunsmith turnscrew, but anything "gunsmith" is crazy expensive, while even the house brands at ACE and elsewhere do cabinet drivers.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+Kyle Mitchell 👌 good info, I definitely have made some "special drivers" that I ground down for specific applications.

[@juanjerez9465]

Thank you so much for the info and easy fix. My bike was hit and my lever broke. Bought some on eBay but could not find Matt finish. But needed it asap

[@jacobdad2742]

HOLY CRAP THANK YOU. My front break was driving me insane. After doing this though, my front break is like brand new again.

[@morganminamyer3117]

really enjoy your videos, I just got a 2009 vtx 1300r and your videos help me a lot. Thanks

[@marcharper6982]

Just like to say thankyou my sh125 back break lever was making that sound i did what you said it worked a treat many thanks

[@pats.9063]

I can tell your an excellent mechanic, thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+Pat S. you are more than welcome Pat. Ride safe

[@FRJ1982]

Dude, just did this to my bike...what a world of difference 👍👍 good sh!t brotha, thanks!!

[@cb750k1974]

A gun barrel brush, not sure what caliber size, will also work to clean out that pivot bolt hole. Great video! Thanks!

[@joshuajohnson8922]

I tried a .35 caliber gun barrel brush, and it just barely fit.

[@carolinayamadawg8706]

use a bore snake

[@cavemenproductions2682]

not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed.

[@asawch4turbo]

Great video. We need all the tips we can get riding up in Manitoba at freezing temps.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Al Sawatzky whew! Be careful out there brother! Glad I can pass some knowledge your way! 🤙👊👍

[@asawch4turbo]

The motorcycle MD. love riding in the USA. The roads are much better. We only live 8miles from the border so we scoot down often. To cold right now. Take care, c u on the hyway.

[@npzninja]

that's exactly what mine is doing now, thanks brother.

[@georgesteffens7489]

Cody thanks again for your great content! I have a red twin to the bike in this video. I would not have described my front brake as crunchy or notchy, but I did this procedure anyway and darn it’s smooth as butter now. Great tip!!

[@kevinstreet5709]

Great video, sometimes we forget these things

[@xIronMikex]

Im 2 yrs late, but thank you so much for making these videos. This one helped me out

[@KibberShuriq]

Note that the round pusher part of the lever you're greasing is in constant contact with the piston's rubber boot, which may or may not be able to withstand marine grease (or some other grease). For my bike, Yamaha recommends silicone grease in this joint. My suggestion is to check your manufacturer's recommendation as well. Also, if the lever was subjected to some serious neglect and that round pusher part has a flat spot on it, it may make sense to reprofile it using a fine file and then polish.

[@christophersato3623]

muito obrigado, tenho uma titan 150 2012 e ficava louco também com isso, o problema começou quando eu desmontei limpei e lavei todo o sistema, ou seja, tirei toda a lubrificação desse ponto e depois de me deixar louco esse problema percebi que fazendo força para apertar o manete e empurrar ele para baixo diminuía o problema que deve ser pelo manete esfregar e escorregar nesse ponto. Faz todo sentido pq o ponto do manete não vai acompanhar o movimento reto do cilindro mestre pois está apoiado num pino que faz o movimento ser rotativo. Muito obrigado. Nunca mais vou esquecer isso.

[@jameshamilton5849]

I did this using Syl Glide brake grease. Nice results!

[@jeevespreston]

I have a 2004 Shadow, and was experiencing the same stuttering brakes you described. Color me skeptical, but I didn’t think this small maint could cause such a huge improvement!! WoW!! Bike now brakes like new. I was thinking rotors, caliper, pads, etc., but just a few cents worth of grease did the job. Thank you!!!!

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

🤙🤙🤙

[@louiswhite1445]

Great instructional video. You just saved me some cash. Thanks for taking the time out to help others.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Killer!

[@donspencer7795]

Once again, great advice and video! Thanks Cody.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Don Spencer 🤙🤙

[@po_kielichu_]

You just saved me a master cylinder replacement and a couple hundert bucks :D thank you :D and that was a very nice, short, informative video :)

[@tiberiudumitrescu5237]

Awsome content man. I just found your channel and i already seen half of your content. You realy know what to film and how to explain. Keep up the good work and i say Hi from Romania, Europe.

[@st4849]

Great video! I have the exact same issue on by CBF600SA. I just want to say that it is truly dangerous. Strangely enough it started happening pretty suddenly and it took me a day or two to realize why I became clumsy in slow maneuvers. Can't wait to get home and sort it out after work!

[@st4849]

I just did the maintenance and it's like new brakes now. I didn't have steel wool so I used kerosene and a microfiber cloth to clean the parts before applying grease.

[@hustlerkc11]

Thanks for the video man, ur video is the only one I could find on this issue. I'm currently having this issue and wasn't sure how to go about it but now I do. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@gigio19g18]

just found your videos bro they're awesome helping a whole lot I love them

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+leonardo mar This is awesome to hear man. Glad you find the content valuable

[@DavidM2002]

If you can find brass wool ( I find it at boating stores ) use that instead of steel wool. Bits of steel wool can embed themselves and will eventually start to rust. Even a Scotchbrite pad would be preferred to steel wool

[@michaelggriffiths]

Excellent! You saved me a ton of money!! Many thanks!

[@eldenlestergonzales1303]

Thank God I found this video, Thank you for making this remedy!

[@dvsmotions]

Always the coolest and most useful tips. I've never seen anyone do videos like these. Real world maintenance tips. Now just waiting for every other part on the bike. ;-)

[@stevencardona6492]

I have a 2006 Vulcan 900 it was doing the same thing Del"sboy mention that I would have moisture in the brake fluid I bled the brake fluid it did get better but it was still there I tried your method and it went away it is smooth I believe that it was a combination of the two... Thank you for the tip

[@bmcc4865]

Thank you! Exactly what I needs to fix my isssue!

[@ZippoVarga]

Happy Wife, Happy Life. Excellent "That's Free" Tips Cody! Cheers Brother! Zip~

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+ZippoVarga 🤙🤙 thanks brother

[@RidingWithGerdas]

Oh man I needed this.. Going to do this on my Fazer. Idea for a video cleaning brake calipers?

[@theresonly1truth138]

Thank you dear that was the most awful experience with my brakes

[@peteacevedo3822]

Great Vid, and great tip!! Ra into this a couple of times but not anymore.

[@heavenwalker358]

great attention to detail like always......

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+Heaven Walker 🤙

[@kezug]

Excellent video. I used a little bit of PB Blaster Penetrating lithium grease on the rubber bushing as it was crusty (from sitting outside all summer) on my recently acquired 07 Sabre. I then wiped that off to clean it and left a little bit of the grease behind to keep rubber bushing from drying. I then took off the lever as you show and cleaned it up (I used alittle bit of brake cleaner on a rag, but probably didnt need to do that). I then added Sil-Glyde at the same locations you put your blue grease. I hope the products I used is OK. I am never sure of what to use where. So many products. Wish I had asked my dad (a mechanic of 40+ years) when he was alive, but I was too busy being an ass. I grew up and miss him terribly so. So, was my method and use of products OK? If not, please suggest the grease and proper cleaner for the rubber bushing on the push pin. Thank you again for taking the time to help us all out.

[@annekerr2150]

Do you have any tips for a wobly break handle? Its not crunchy it vibrates. .. just curious...thank you 😊

[@CHIBA280CRV]

Hmmm first video of yours I have seen and I'm hooked " . Fantastic thanks

[@Daschickenify]

I hate notchy levers, didn't think it had anything to do with the pad though. I thought it was all in the pivot! Definitely going to have to go back and do it right.

[@FransWest-h4d]

Thanks alot,mine doing the exact same wil definitely try it

[@bmwgeek]

Awesome video! I picked up a '93 cb750 nighthawk in april with 2600 original miles on it, even had the original tires! I've been noticing recently that the brake lever was a little crunchy when I squeeze it hard at a stop light and it was starting to bug me. Was wondering what it could be considering I flushed all the old nasty brake fluid out of it. Gonna have to give this a shot over the weekend, thanks!

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+Sebastian S Awesome man!! I think you will like the outcome of this simple trick!! Ride safe!!

[@toddbransky4933]

Thank you for this video. I have this issue on my Goldwing.

[@rutheniumguy5686]

Thank you so much.... so simple!

[@TrickRacing]

What is the best type of grease to use for these levers? Any waterproof grease? What brand is that

[@Danielaragon1251]

Thank you so much, this was driving me nuts!

[@andreirubertrodrigues]

A graxa não prejudica a vida útil da borracha do cilindro do freio?

[@grosbeakmc]

Great tip. Thanks Cody.

[@thomaslipscomb5977]

Cody thanks for the tips!

[@anxiousfpv]

Thank you so much!!!! This fixed mines issue❤️❤️

[@tomhan]

Thank you , exactly what i was looking for

[@jamessmillie5417]

Hey Cody , just subscribe and info very helpful ,I learn more by watching

[@benjaminlim8759]

Thank you so so much! You might have just save a life one day

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Benjamin Lim 🤙🤙👊👍

[@atruefreethinker1944]

TROPHY WIFE!!!!! that is taken as a compliment I hope.

[@boomboombam7]

I got new pads out on my hayabusa and they said it was the master cylinder. I just lubricated it and it's working perfect again.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

What they don’t know may hurt them!! Good fix brother!

[@boomboombam7]

TheMotorcycleMD any serious issues with a 2002 hayabusa? It's about to hit 20k. I've done most of my regular maintenance there's just a few things left like flushing the coolant system etc. I guess what I'm asking is; is there a common problem with that year I should look out for?

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

I really don’t know anything about the hayabusa I don’t work on them. 🙌 Honda Technician

[@boomboombam7]

TheMotorcycleMD word thanks for the video and advice. Rsmf

[@maximianodelosreyesjr.8411]

Thanks Man for the Info!!! Keep it up!!!

[@aymenbenhammouda7123]

thank you that was very useful

[@LookingGlass69]

lol trophy wife

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+LookingGlassProject Yea man! 🤙

[@KLP99]

TheMotorcycleMD Has she ever been in a video? Half Insane Outdoor Guy has a trophy wife who's never been in a video of his.. I know because he's someone I know. Same with This Old Man 1955...

[@DirtBikeDaryl]

Awesome... Solved my issue... Thanks, bro!

[@nlee5034]

I swapped out my stock levers (2012 Phantom), and the new brake lever, has a lot more play in it. And, it goes almost all the way back to the throttle, if I grip really hard (not running). While running, the lever goes twice as far in, as it did with the stock levers. Is there anything I can do to remedy this?

[@QbalaMusic]

AWESOME. Thank you so much!

[@jimmykelly2809]

Awesome exactly what I was looking for! Was banging my head on the wall trying to figure out what the fuck was going on on the Busa. Thanks

[@JulianSmith-d9o]

Great video great tips

[@claytonselfridge7518]

Great advice

[@23shipoopi23]

So I did all this in the video, cleaned the mess out of the lever, pin, where the lever goes and I’m STILL having the same feeling. What else should I look for?

[@caseyw.8325]

gun barrel cleaner tools would work, right?

[@kizalub]

Would chain wax do the job instead of grease?

[@ringomayhem]

Thank you so much for this video!! Subbed!

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+Joes World awesome thanks man!

[@domagojJugovic]

I just fixed this on my v-strom 650 XT , was driving me mad for a few days.

[@thisguyfromyoutubesaid1537]

Great video thanks

[@caseyw.8325]

waterproof grease.... is that what I search for to order?

[@richardedwards2463]

Thank you.

[@charvisgl]

What about a loose front brake lever. Keep the light on I have a Hawk 250 any advice

[@caseyw.8325]

Did you steal wool the pivot bolt too?

[@ZevWunder]

Good videos ive been watching lately coz i have a 97 shadow ive been working with for a few years i got it looking pretty tough everybody likes it better than my harley and wants to buy it, anyway this year gas is shooting out of the crankcase breather as to before it used to pull from it and i had a filter at the end toward the bottom under the bike. so i rejet the carbs last year and had it running good .i wasnt getting a start this year sounds like it needed gas i just re cleaned them this year and the gas was thrusting out the breather hose. idky it wasnt before., any thoughts you may have will be appreciated and also i dont use a fuel pump it was giving problems so i had it running straight., so you think i might have changed the mechanics of the motor and now its mis behaving coz this is wierd to me now, thanks man if you took out time to read my story. i would do the same and try to help anybody i f i can

[@toddman2364]

Holy dirty pivot screw Batman! But seriously thanks for the video. I just about gave up trying to figure out on my own and was going to pay my Honda shop their hourly rate to diagnose, evaluate and violate me.

[@farmoboy83]

My scooter had a weird feel on the front brake lever just like i wasnt smooth operating. Changed disc, pads, fluid and the situation persisted. Something after many tries clicked on my mind when say some rust on the connection between lever and brake master cylinder. Took off the levers, cleaned everything with wd40 and put some lithium grease. Problem solved!!! Smooth braking again!!!!

[@Addy29plus5]

Fantastic + subscribed