How do I adjust a motorcycle brake and clutch handle?

Question

I have a 2001 Yamaha Vstar 650 custom. I'd like to adjust my brake and clutch handles so that they are not so far away from my fingertips.

Answer 1

The best way to adjust your brake and clutch free-play is to buy a factory service manual for your bike and follow the procedures for adjustment of the various cables. To bring the handles in closer to the grips, however, would probably require installation of aftermarket handles designed for that purpose. I don't know how much closer you can get, though, as the levers must be able to have enough travel from forward to rear (close to the grips) for complete actuation of the brake and clutch, so they can't be too close to the grip to start with, or you won't be able to get full travel. I do know that there are several V-Star forums operating, including at least one on Delphi, where you should be able to get a better answer to your question. I don't have any links or web adresses at hand; however, do a search for V-Star forums, and you will probably come up with several.

Answer 2

Your clutch minor adjustment is located just in front of the clutch on the bars. It should be adjusted to where there about the space of a nickel before it engages. The front brake is of course on the right side. There should be a set screw that you can move to adjust the amount of play in the lever.

Answer 3

Don't try to bend the levers, they'll break.
You can buy levers with a different "bend", but that will be trial and error. First you'll have to keep trying different ones that meet your needs. And second you'll have to find ones that work on your bike. These ideas are time consuming and costly -
buy, try, buy, try, buy, try.
Here's something you can try. It might not work, but it's inexpensive and worth a try. The part of the lever that bolts to the handle bars is called the "pearch". Where the pearch bolts to the handle bars, wrap some electrical tape around the handle bars, so the pearch is half on the bars and half on the tape. The pearch will be "******" at a different angle. Experiment with more or less tape wrapped around the bars. I've never tried, or seen this, but it sounds feasible. Good luck.

Answer 4

to make them closer to your little pinkie's so you don't out stretch, you going to have to bend them,as the position they are in is standard, most brake ,clutch handles are in this. Now too adjust for quicker or slower b4 activated best sec info from your dealer or a bike chop shop.