Needing a tip - foot brake pedal spring - install : HOW?

[Shooter]

CB550 Honda

Anyone got a good tip on how to get the brake pedal return spring reinstalled.

It was a mother to get off and now I know its going to be a mother to get back on ....so I have been trying to ignore it.

I have to establish correct position of the pedal on the spline first which I have done)... now I have to get the spring on.

 

[DrJ]

You can stretch out the spring by jamming pennies between the coils. When the spring is long enough, install it. Then pull out the pennies with pliers.

 

[Tim]

That trick works for centre stand springs where its a question of length, but this one is twisting the spring which pennies won't help with.

I don't know if there is a trick for this problem unfortunately. I don't remember taking mine off. Now you've got me thinking about my 650 re-assembly.

Got a pic of the problem?

 

[Tim]

Ok, so I dug out my parts manual and it seems like you should be able to do this pretty easily.

Here's what I'd do. Get everything put together except the brake pedal (which is where you seem to be).

Tighten up the adjuster nut on the brake rod so it pulls on the rod, rotating the spindle back, like you were lifting on the brake pedal.

Install the pedal on the spindle in the elevated position, which should allow you to clear the spring. Loosen off on the adjuster nut, which will lower the brake pedal back into its normal position resting on the spring.

You shouldn't have to rotate the spindle back much - just enough so when you install the pedal on the spindle, it clears the spring. You might mark the spindle/brake pedal position with a pencil or something temporary when it's in the position you want so when you put the pedal on the rotated spindle, you get it in the right spot.

You should make sure you have the brake rod about 1/2 way through the arm on the drum so you have some adjustment once everything is bolted together. This way if you're one or two splines out in terms of putting the pedal on the spindle, you can compensate with the adjuster nut on the rod.

The spring on the spindle brings the brake pedal up from its depressed position. The spring on the brake rod back by the drum prevents the brake pedal from being lifted. The two springs basically oppose each other keeping the pedal in position.

 

[Shooter]

Thanx again.

Funny thing is I sat down with a can of beer in my hand and stared at the thing for a while.

It started to make a bit of sense and I had a plan just as I opened the second can ...so I just went at it with a lever that I notched out a little with the angle grinder.

In 2 minutes I had it done. and another 5minutes I had it all adjusted. Schweeeeet as.

Beer eh. .... Its magic .

Tintin - you are pretty much on the right track with your idea. Needs a slight tap with a hammer and a wooden block to slip the spring back as the lever goes over the spline.