Delboy's Garage, Harley Sportster, Brake Lever change.

Quick 'How-To' on removing and replacing the brake lever on a Harley Sportster, many people have asked how it comes out once the pin is removed as it hangs on to a latch inside the switch block....so here's how easy it is.!

[@jamesstump9075]

great video. I needed to replace my brake lever, watched this, and completed the tak in about 15 minutes. Thank you!!

[@everidgley4486]

You took the worry out of replacing them myself, even made it fun ! Thank you guys

[@Moonfleet41]

Well done Lilith, glad it helped you out! Del

[@garyholroyd2048]

Delboy, you are a star. Followed your instructions and replaced the brake lever on my 2013 Sportster in no time and with no problems. Many thanks. Gary

[@Moonfleet41]

Nice one Gary, glad it helped you mate... and thanks for watching. Del.

[@yompswithcosmic599]

Cheers for giving me the info to do my brake lever on my 2002 883xlh. I did however find, that all I had to do was pop the circlip off, and replace lever, so that was a bonus !! Cheers buddy Si

[@turbocobra]

Good detail on this one. It's alot easier to swap that out than i would have thought.

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi mate, you are most welcome! Most other bikes in the world just have a simple lever system, but Harley seem to make it double complicated with that little lock in notch, glad you learned from it, that's exactly why we post them up and glad we were able to help! Take care and ride safe, Del

[@brianstansby1330]

had a rear brake light on, front brake lever loose master cylinder piston not returning i now know this because of watching your videos and being able to now investigate myself thanks to you ! ordered my master cylinder repair kit yesterday from jersey harley even looking forward to doing this job myself . HD XL1200R owner

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi again Brian.. thanks mate, it really makes us happy to know that the videos have been able to help a fellow rider out there... good luck with it mate, let us know how you get on and make sure you enjoy it...its all a grand part of owning your bike... cheers, Del,

[@HEMIDARTS]

Thank you very much for your video! This helped me tremendously! I was able to get this done very quickly and very easy. I watched your video one time and then left home, and came back 8 hours later. At this point i was able to do the steps. Your video made it very simple! Thank you again!

[@xWolfFightx]

I had the internal part of my clutch lever break and the clutch stuck open as I tried to throttle out of a corner, was able to re-engage it and creep home in first gear after 30 minutes on the side of the road. I had no c-clip pliers and every video said to use them. What I'm getting at is I watched your video was able to do some quick maintenance with your screwdriver trick, pulled out two bits of metal that were jammed in there from the lever and freed it up. Thanks to you I got home, and I'm saying all this on your brake lever video because I'm currently swapping out both levers and again, all thanks to you brother! Thanks for the content and ride safe man! Thank you again!

[@Moonfleet41]

Awesome! it's an honour to know that, in some way, our videos could help... and good on you on getting yourself rolling again and making it home... too many people these days have a toolkit that simply consists of a phone and a breakdown card, and where's the fun in that! Take care Thomas, ride safe, keeping rolling brother, good to hear from you!

[@paulmyers8126]

Delboy, I am a fan. I just replaced the clutch and brake levers on a 08 heritage softail classic and I watched both videos you made before i started, twice lol. Anyways I guess I was lucky on my brake lever swap as I didn't have to take any of the control housings loose. I pulled the pin and the lever came out with ease, and it went back in with ease (yes the brake light works) It took me about 3 minutes to change the brake lever, and 10 for the clutch on account of adjusting it. Thanks for all the videos, you've helped me out alot

[@Moonfleet41]

Hey Paul, good to hear from you mate, and thanks for your kind word,s im glad you could use the videos, thats why we make them... and great to hear you got the job sussed and working... Thanks again for your support, (cool bike BTW), and ride safe... Del.

[@mura0]

You are great at teaching, man. Could spend all day watching your videos.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Eric, Very kind mate.

[@DoubleLLL]

Everytime I need to do something to my sporty I search youtube and you pop up with a great video. Thanks for all your help.

[@littlewillym]

Was just replacing a bent lever and stressing over how the old lever comes out, but loosening and wiggling worked a treat :)) Thanks Tom!

[@2whitebear]

You really takeaway the mystique of these tasks, without blowing sunshine anywhere, when it's a new hobby, (especially biking) it can be a bit intimidating finding out the right way of doing stuff, Books etc.Your approach and knowledge is great, it's like having a friend for advice without the usual you tube bravado. Get a complete series together and sell them. You deserve the money for all your time you spend making these vids. Great teaching, fun approach, passionate! Thanks again. Rich

[@criznyce]

At first I was wondering "Why is a lever removal vid 15 mins!?" But this vid is great. Explaining the subtleties (or annoyances!) of replacing parts is the key to working on Harleys. Good on ya!

[@Moonfleet41]

Yeah, I know buddy, but we do our videos as step-by-step and show everything you need to do, as you've seen... there is nothing worse than a video that says 'this is how you do it', then cuts to the end with it all done and you are sat there with parts everywhere lol ... lots more in the Playlists on H-D maintenance and jobs - enjoy !

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Fred. im glad you can make use of these kind of videos, they are for people to learn from and save a few bucks too... take care,Del.

[@Dan-qp1el]

I think its cool that you and Penny ride together. You two clearly enjoy the bikes and wrenching on them together. Cheers from Minnesota.

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi mate, thanks for your kind comments..not sure if you are aware but we have a quantity of videos on Discovery & they were requested by the programme makers to provide for viewers a motorcycle equivalent of Ed China..so that parallel has already been drawn & very flattering it is indeed, Ed is a clever bloke & I admire him very much!..on this video I'm not working in the garage, so it's just domestic lights, but in the garage I have some serious wattage plus a sky light! ..Cheers Del

[@jayhawk5136]

Thanks for the great videos. The Clutch and Brake lever replacement videos were easy to follow and made the process a breeze.

[@joshfizer3218]

Thanks for the video and info sir! Just changed mine in about 5 minutes.

[@Vanrocco66]

I like that the mighty Harley gets to live inside the castle!! Nice work as usual!

[@roerapapara8322]

Thanks Gary have followed your videos before and always found them easy to follow and very informative

[@fredrogers8491]

Del, extremely well done. You leave nothing unanswered.

[@cloneybaker]

Was gonna go dig right in and change both levers thinking it was easy enough but decided to check out youtube for a quick tutorial and found your channel (Subscribed). Very easy to follow and great tips. One point you may wanna note is the plastic spacer sleeves that come with new levers are not for shipping as I though. They were required... at least for me. As for the 4 thumbs down on this video it must be for the bad lighting from the torch. May wanna get a shop light to help that out. Keep up the good work. Cheers!

[@Moonfleet41]

Yeah, the new levers dome ready to fit....and ive heard of guys throwing out the spacers more then once...lol thanks for the kind comments mate, and ride safe... Del.

[@jeckwhite9099]

Excellent video. Was short sweet and to the point. Told me and explained everything I needed to know.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Jesse, glad it worked for you... cheers and thanks for watching.. Del.

[@BaileyScottW]

Delboy: Just want to let you know how much I appreciate all your videos. Your presentation is pleasant & logical and (as a Yank) I enjoy your terminology & accent as well. :) Keep up the good work!

[@Moonfleet41]

+Scott Bailey Hey Scott, thank you so much for your really kind comments, im no presenter, just a mechanic who likes things simple, and with so many novice riders all wanting to keep thier bikes safe and up together, we decided to spread a little basic knowledge and see if anyone can use it, and the rest is history (cliche i know lol). I had a look at your Sporty, those early Evo bikes with chain drive are so hard core now, no ECU or digital control, just a big ole' motor and a carb... easy as crayons to work with.. Take care and enjoy your bike sir, good to hear from you.. all the best from Blighty... Del,

[@Vanrocco66]

I must be making progress Del as this is the first video where I knew every thing you were going to do even before you explained it!

[@Moonfleet41]

Cheers Tom, I saw it come up, and it's on my watch list for this evening! ....

[@jimschultz5670]

Just switched out both controls on my 02 XL883R. Thanks for the video, very helpful.

[@Moonfleet41]

Cheers Pete, yeah the under slung mirror thing was first muted by Jesse James who used to sell under-mounted iron cross shaped mirrors to go on ape hangers, naturally, with the West Coast logo and as always, the factory copies what the people do! Thanks for watching, Del

[@christopherhitchens57]

Great instructive video mate, very articulate and well done.. Cheers..

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Rich, thank you for your very kind comments, we just post up the jobs we do and they seem to help people ... it can be intimidating and you can't always be sure what to do, so we just do no nonsense vids and post them up ... we have had such lovely comments from people and some even told Discovery, so if you check the Discovery UK Website they are loading up our vids... we don't get paid for them, but the kudos is great and who knows, maybe one day LOL! Thanks for your kind comments, Pen

[@robertpechauf]

Thank you so much for this Video. I am normally not so good in repairing on my own, but this video helped me a lot to change the brake-lever of my harley with no problems.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Robert, glad it helps you buddy.

[@paulstark3078]

Great tutorial video for this and the clutch lever. just made my afternoon go a lot easier.

[@Moonfleet41]

+Paul Stark Thanks Paul, glad it helped..

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Sal...take care, Del.

[@nmchugh1]

Cheers dude, their's some great little tips here that will save me a fortune!! Thanks again!!

[@stealthbiker45]

Dude that was amazingly easy- thanks for the tip. Took me only 5 minutes. Thanks brother

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate, glad you liked it, and thanks for watching, Del

[@spokedtoosoon]

Waiting for a "And here's one I prepared earlier". Delboy's Garage is like Mechanics Art Attack. Great video mate!

[@BJMoorhouse]

Good shout on the "loose" switch gear, I have a mate who saws a little notch into his levers just past the bobble too to give it a weak spot.

[@runninerrinds]

Very very very useful videos!! Watched clutch one too!! Just saved me a lot of money and aggrivation!! You should have your own instructional show!!! Thanks

[@Moonfleet41]

runninerrinds Thanks buddy, now wouldn't that be nice, but think someone would have to convince the TV companies that bubble gum and soap operas isn't what the viewers want first lol !

[@Milogarage]

Always up to something new around here ..Good to see ya Del

[@edwardwensell2328]

Fantastic video. Extremely clear instructions. Just wish you included the link for the billet lever.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks buddy ...I appreciate the feedback, it keeps them how people want them! Cheers Del

[@silviucris8192]

Very clear and spot on instructions.Thank you!

[@blacksonne19]

Love your how-to videos man! There really thourow ! No bullshit just great knowledge!

[@petergoddard1960]

'Hello folks, and welcome to Delboy's laundry. Today we're ... warmer than usual!' Good move on putting the mirrors back where they belong. I think, if you want the bare handlebar look, use cafe racer style bar ends. I hate the underslung trend started by the 48. A double episode. Excellentamundo! :-)

[@jakesanc]

Thank you so much for all of your videos.

[@nolancampbell6139]

This helped me tremendously, got the job done in just a few minutes, thank you!

[@Moonfleet41]

Most welcome Nolan.. glad it helped you.

[@dj_spade]

Awesome, just found you on KZbin! You saved me a lot of $$$, your great 👍🏼, keep doing what you do.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you once again so much for your kind support my friend... we work hard on the channel to keep it helpful, to reach out to our fellow bikers around the world, keep yer boots in the breeze and party hard, Love & Respect, Del & Penny ...

[@Moonfleet41]

You're welcome Iris. im glad you can learn a bit from them, thats why we post the up....take care.. Del.

[@dharvey24]

I've been watching your vids for a while now. Excellent presentation. Just the right level of detail. My only suggestion is to get a better light source. You could be the next 'Wheeler Dealers'. You're to go from strength to strength. Good luck and keep it up.

[@stephenpruyn8342]

So easy thanks for the Video,Had to do it twice seemed to easy!Thanks

[@stevefrazier8904]

Used your Know how to install levers on my Road Glide. Thanks! It made it very easy!

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Steve... glad we would help mate, well done.. and BTW.. nice bike. Del.

[@firegrunt03]

Thank you for your videos. I am changing mine. A 2001 dyna. Texas plates.

[@FreeSwimmer]

Timeless instructions .. Thanks !

[@Moonfleet41]

You're welcome!

[@TheBlgsbiker]

Great videos..Im no mechanic.. so was a little worried about changing levers..after watching your videos it was a breeze Thank you

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi mate...glad the video could help you out.. its usually just a case of knowing the anatomy of the parts, then you can do the rest yourself... ride safe buddy... Del

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Bill.. yeah, i hear a lot of people do that, just leave the clamp a bit loose so it moves if hit, rather than snaps the lever...i would say, just make sure its not so loose it moves when you need it to stay still...just loose enough so you can twist it by hand a bit....cheers mate... Del.

[@bangmango]

great video ... many thanks ... love your work ... & ride safe...

[@kensmith6113]

Great video! Thanks so much.

[@Mathos1]

brilliant.. I need to change mine as well, just for comfort, specially the clutch.

[@tomrobertson5988]

THANKS ALL YOUR VIDEOS ARE SPOT ON

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Tom.. much appreciated.

[@chounig]

That is just what i needed to know. Perfect! Thanks a lot.

[@chounig]

Please, a question : On my FXDLS Dyna, the adjustable OBERON Airo brake lever is playing very much horizontally. Please, how could I solve this problem ? May be a plastic washer? How it is that with the clutch lever we can fix the genuine HD clip to prevent this playing but nothing with the brake lever ? Thanks very much. Regards .

[@artmercado1735]

Another great tip mate thanks 😊

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Jeff, you're telling me something I already know! .. yes, she does have a sister who is very nice, but she doesn't ride a Harley, but she would if she could & loves coming on the back, cheers Jeff, thanks for all your kind support, now go and get that bobber finished, Del

[@illwiteboy]

you are the best! thank you... a terrible driver backed into my 2010 48!.... and lol paying for labor for handlebar levers is so ridiculous it just hurts my pride... fairly small job that is worth alot of $ at a harley store ...... thanks again... wish you had a video on taking out the front fender, mine is dented in right at the tip... its hideous!

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Levi.. sorry to hear about you're bike, don't you just wanna piss in their coffee... an i bet they didn't even stop to pay for it either.... Oh well, at least we could help you get it sorted, and you learned a bit about your bike.. The fender is real easy to take off, just remove the bolgts the hold it on and it lifts our forwards... good luck with it and thanks for watching... take care... Del.

[@chounig]

As the brake lever on my FXDLS have had too much vertical playing, I have just fixed an adhesive felt on the inferior flat of the lever housing. It's now perfect ! I think to replace this adhesive felt because of the irremediable fretting wear, by a piece of adhesive nylon. An advice : be carrefull when you take of the circlips because it jumps away and could be a pity to have to run miles to your dealer only to buy that.

[@Moonfleet41]

Hey Milo, good to hear from you mate....Del.

[@RoadRider123]

Very helpful. thank you!

[@Wolfsbane115]

Change the Torx for cap screws, have done a rolling replacement of all the fittings on my soft tail to S/S caps chuffed to bits with the look as well, great Vids keep it up :-)

[@boredofitall]

You and Pen are a good team :)

[@basstradamus1]

Thanks for the video. Very usefull.

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Gary, sorry for the typo on the name, I know what your name is, I am just a dim wit who can't type sometimes! ... I am glad you & Matt are well and it's great that he's on a righteous path and working hard at it too... good luck to you both, I'll be watching, Take Care, Del

[@354seven]

Thanks for the video

[@stephenpruyn8342]

Thanks doing it tonight.

[@irhererOfLoL]

never thought of leaving the switchgear slightly loose, going to try that on my bike, amount of times i've snapped clutch leavers and had to work with a few cm or leaver, good for getting cramp in the forearm haha

[@tuskir1]

Well done ; thanks !

[@toddstewart2191]

I have an 05 1200 Sportster custom and the front brake light switch went out I have a new one can you make a video showing how to change it

[@ylwf3vr]

Aloha from Hawaii! I attempted to do this on my 13 Sportster 72.. I loosened up the torx bolts on top and bottom of the control panel but the lever still wouldn't budge. I had to loosen the mirror bolt as well and the control panel/grip sled to the end releasing the lever. So I put my new ones on but the grips/control wouldn't slide back. So I put some pressure on it and heard a crack.. Scared I slowly put it all together. At the end I heard something small fall out and it looks like a cap to something. Very small black half circle piece... What can this be!? Did I mess it up?? Clutch side went like a breeze.

[@turbocobra]

Del, yes we have made progress on the mustang, it's still not quite finished yet. We did start another project on an old small motorcycle. Matt is going to college (tech school at night and working full time, so he has almost no time to work on the mustang. Take care! Gary

[@Elkins24]

Hi Del, Can you leave the clutch lever a little loose as well? I droped my bike awhile back due to some fool going the wrong way on a one way street. I had room to go around him on his left and as I did this he turned into my path so down I went and was lucky just broke the end off. And yes had them kind of tight as it did not move up my handle bar. Thanks for the tip. Bill

[@rmaestas2002]

Love the videos. Do you have a video that shows how to replace the foot pedal brake? I'd like to customize mine. It looks like I might have to remove the exhaust.

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi mate, sorry I haven't made a video of that yet, its hard to have everything on video, but as time goes by ill get to it....if you buy yourself a proper Harley service manual from the dealer they have everything covered in there in great detail, its pricey, but an invaluable item if you want to work on your bike, I have one and use it all the time... hope thats a bit of help mate... good luck Del,.

[@latoyaspence9598]

nice thx for the tip.. keep posting

[@Moonfleet41]

you're most welcome Latoya, thanks for watching

[@cowboyjr5116]

thanks a lot brother

[@cooldogkills3987]

Thanks del

[@djsole]

Thanks for the video. I did the brake lever on my 2016 Roadster and wanted to let you know they've improved the design now. No more circlip or dismantling the switch thing. The lever pin now just has a hex nut underneath that you undo like you would any other nut. the pin then has a straight slot on top, and just unscrews. The lever then just slides out ! No need to loosen anything else, just remove the pin and slide the lever out.

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Dave, yeah i htink they've seen the overcomplicated design as a bit dated and streamlined it... the new bikes have a lot of common sense upgrades.. Thanks for watching..

[@R0ssig]

Can you tell me the manufacturer of your torx key tool? I'd really like to pick one up but i can't find a nice ratcheting handheld tool like that

[@bosskoperu4324]

Clutch assembly for a1995 harley davidson fatboy

[@hunteroftruth4986]

On my daughters 06 it was a T20 and a T25.

[@mcbain311]

you're right about the things they pass off as "billet". damn things look like plastic on the inside

[@asuservice]

Worked great on a 2010 Street Bob except the Torx bits were 25 #27.

[@stevepercival4774]

Should mention that having slack switch gear can lead to wires shearing off in the event of a drop

[@dazko12]

Watch out for the stoplight switch !

[@robbydarin1052]

TY,,DONE!!!

[@lukethekanefan]

awesome

[@jeffreycraft3876]

That little clip you took off on the bottom of the brake lever they make snap ring pliers for that brother but you probably know that just thought I'd let you know just in case

[@jl37609]

Awesome video brother. Just one question, where did you get that tool kit you used in this video? It was sweet to have one one end a t27 and the other a t30.

[@Moonfleet41]

Hey Buddy... its a Torx set i got at Machine Mart..."Clarke-Pro 39, part number 1700439... hope that helps... good luck and thanks for watching.. Del.

[@jl37609]

Thanks Brother!

[@Deathsdezire]

Where did you get the cool little black tool for the T27 and T30 bits?

[@Moonfleet41]

Clarke Professional range from Machine Mart!

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Greg, long time no see, buddy, I hope you & Matt are well ...I missed watching your daily progress on the Mustang as you took a break for a while ...how's it going?, is it on the road yet? ... more importantly have you started a car for yourself yet LOL! Cheers Del

[@f3lipollo]

do you have a video on how to install clutch discs? I just got new discs in my old 1994 883 clutch and im not sure if I am suppose to keep the stock spring disc ?

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Felipe... I haven't made a video of changing the clutch pack, but you can use your old diaphragm spring provided it;s not gone week and caused the clutch to slip... hope that helps mate, Del

[@f3lipollo]

Oh sorry for confusing you, and thanks for the prompt answer. I was talking about the stock spring plate that it is after the fourth friction plate?

[@f3lipollo]

goes between the 4th and 5th friction plate, on some publications people don't use it when installing a clutch kit made by Barnett. BTW nice videos, keep them coming !!

[@Moonfleet41]

Felipe Rodriguez Not had personal experience of this, but as a general rule when you buy any kit of replacement consumables, unless otherwise instructed, use the existing parts and just replace the kit parts... but not sure about the Barnett clutch situation ... if you have bought one of these, I would maybe email Barnett direct and ask them! Good luck!

[@probrs]

Still working my way through your videos...keep up the good work! (a newbie Patreon) ...PS KZbin arnt recording all of my likes for your videos?

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi buddy... thanks for your kind support... not sure about the likes.. some videos they are hidden though.! hope you enjoy the videos... Del

[@williamstory7588]

Who makes that turn signal relocation kit for your front turn signals? I want to buy something that isn't worthless and will work right

[@Moonfleet41]

+william story Hi William, there are lots of options on the market, Harley make them for your bike, just check thier accessory catalogue, and outside that, there are lots of options from CCI, and Motorcycle Storehouse... its just a case of searching out an item you're happy with..

[@williamstory7588]

Thanks for the quick reply and the tutorials they help alot for a new guy like myself