Hi, I am new to trials and yes I have just broken the end off of my AJP (Montesa 4RT) Front brake lever. I have seen folding lever assembly's on the net, ARC and in England RFX, Is this the way to go for a beginner? Any negatives for this style lever? Are there better levers than brittle AJP ( is S3 or Apico better? ) Any other brands you can suggest. Thanks again for your help Terry
They all break. Make sure your perches are loose enough, so they can easily rotate. Lot of people put teflon tape under them so the turn smoothly. Also make sure the lever is mounted inward enough, so the ball of the lever does not stick out past the end of the grip. Oh and don't fall down.
Save the balls that break off. Someone with a TIG welder can weld them back on. Also you can carefully bend levers back using the closed end wrench big enough to pass over the ball. Hold firmly and carefully bend. Or put the lever in a vice.... A trick to running your clutch and brake master cylinders loose is grease the threads and the bar clamp surfaces. Some folks use Teflon tape on the bar at the clamp. Run tight enough such that they'll not move when you are riding, but theoretically will move in a crash. The better you get the less you'll fall, and when you do, you'll fall smarter. I haven't broken the ball end of a lever off in like 20 years.
In case you dont "see" what we're saying about where your levers OUGHT to be, here is a Pic... Notice the clutch lever does stay about 3 inches from the edge of the handlebar end. Plus I have at least 3 wraps of Teflon tape on the perches, and you have to bump the levers to move them up or down, but they give if you fall down. Oh, and I don't fall down anymore, lol. (ok yeah I knocked on wood as I said that. You could try those bark buster things they're talking about, but IMHO I dunno, I carry spare levers, it is just something you buy when you buy a bike period, spare levers. Bark busters just seem to scream "look, I am going to fall any minute now, trust me" at me when I see them.
Guys, I got sidetracked and busy, Here's a picture. PS this bike is forsale, some info in this our trials flea-market. $4500, BEST OFFER.
Dammit, what is blocking it, looks great when I first post it. Ok trying again, if it fails, well wait, why wait. Ill pm the link, and my email address. if that fails, I will go mow the grass I guess.
Thanks for the info, I have put Teflon tape under the lever clamp on the handlebars and moved both levers in from the end of the bars. Now if I just quit falling over I'll be OK I appreciate the help Terry
