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Post by scooter12 on Feb 3, 2014 1:50:48 GMT -5
[img src=" ![]() i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac203/Charles_Edward_Creswell/002_zpse24722f7.jpg" src="http:// " alt=" "] Notice my front brake lever- it has been cut, drilled, flipped around, and turned upside down. It is I had a severe stroke at age 16. I am now about age 50. Started using rear brake about  percent of the time. So tried using front brake more, but still had difficulty... ok.. But last October, decided that my fingers may not improve greatly( considering age is against me and time). So I kept working my fingers and hand, but decided something else had to be possible to react in a timely fashion when braking. So I took it upon myself to take brake lever off scoot. Cut it into two halves. I flipped the end piece over which brought the brake closer to me. I than placed the end piece on bottom of the lever, so my hand would not have to strain so hard when grabbing lever. So anyhow, it still functions as a brake- brake lights still work. Do you see anything wrong with this? |
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Post by scooter12 on Feb 3, 2014 16:51:47 GMT -5
See, I know they make clutch and brake levers that conform to ones hand comfort... The only thing about this, is I could not find one that would fit a Chinese scooter. So when I was younger, I knew a kid that had a bad hand from birth. He had someone cut his clutch and bolt it back together, so he could use it. He wasn't on a street machine- it was a Honda XR 75 dirt bike. So that is what gave me the idea to cut, drill and bolt differently.
I did ride up to the Illinois Riding Training Course( on the day they were closed). I practiced on the course and done fairly well at stopping with both hands. Stopped fairly fast. This was with cutting and flipping the brake lever. They don't suggest cupping the brake, so when practicing, I did not cup the brakes. I done swerving pretty good and riding around the course and stopping in the square. My rear tire when fast braking did not squeal, but the front brake grabbed more. Caused me to slide forward a little.
I am going to try and take the Missouri Riders Course.
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Post by urbanmadness on Feb 3, 2014 19:57:04 GMT -5
Very useful mod....
The only complaint I have about the mirrors your using (I have a set on my bike) is I wish they were just a tad bigger... still way more functional then the stock one's tho.
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Post by scooter12 on Feb 3, 2014 20:40:47 GMT -5
Yes, my old mirrors kept flopping around and it had only a slight adjust to see. These mirrors are a lot more functional in movement. They move back and forth and up and down. The stem also moves up and down. So a lot more options to vision locations.
I tell you, the worst feeling in the world, is looking to check traffic conditions and notice your mirror has moved and you can't see a thing.. lol
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Post by spunn on Feb 9, 2014 23:06:02 GMT -5
I just had to redo my mirrors today cause they we're lose and when I checked traffic...........well saw a clear picture of my jacket!
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 9, 2014 15:28:14 GMT -5
Scooter12,
Hmmm... I thought I was the only one with that problem... LOL! So long as the brake lever is plenty strong, I can't see any problem. Since the ball at the end is now not really functional, you may want to grind it down to allow some extra "squeeze" gap between the brake handle and the bar, just in case you REALLY have to clamp down in an emergency stop. But, if there's plenty of room left when the handle is fully squeezed, that mod wouldn't be needed.
I recently got a used Kymco 250, which I REALLY like. The only complaint I have is the brake-levers, which seem to be designed for an orangutan with 10-inch fingers... LOL! Since these are Taiwanese scooters, with seating and bar position engineered for the smaller rider, the VERY long reach to the brake levers seems a little out-of-place. I'm fairly good sized, being over 6-feet, with average-sized hands, and the brake lever-ends are a full 3/4" too far from the bars for my reach. Like you, I am getting older (67) and have a lot of arthritis.
I was thinking of modifying or replacing my levers, but after a few months of riding I developed the habit of simply grabbing the levers close to their pivot point (where they're "within reach") and as I squeeze, I instantly grab the end of the levers with my little finger. This puts my whole hand firmly on the lever like it should be. It's so "instinctive" now that I barely notice the fact that my fingers won't reach the outer ends of the levers.
It sounds awkward, but it's really not. Just one quick movement. I would still like to get the ends of the levers closer to the bars, so I may investigate the possibility of removing and bending them slightly (may with a tubing bender). I assume they're forged-aluminum, and any major bending might break them, or compromise their strength... NOT good... But I've seen a LOT of motorcycles with aluminum levers bent all sorts of ways from accidents still being used with no problems.
That being said, it looks like you solved your problem pretty well!
Ride safe,
Leo in Texas
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Post by novaraptor on Mar 25, 2014 16:14:26 GMT -5
Congrats on the mod. Thats one of the things I like best about scooters. There is always a work around for almost everything, and most won't break the bank. Anything to make it more "user-friendly" for the rider..  |
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percent of the time. So tried using front brake more, but still had difficulty... ok.. But last October, decided that my fingers may not improve greatly( considering age is against me and time). So I kept working my fingers and hand, but decided something else had to be possible to react in a timely fashion when braking. So I took it upon myself to take brake lever off scoot. Cut it into two halves. I flipped the end piece over which brought the brake closer to me. I than placed the end piece on bottom of the lever, so my hand would not have to strain so hard when grabbing lever. So anyhow, it still functions as a brake- brake lights still work. 
