Operation Manual

Chapter 3: Adjustment 26
To adjust the position of a lever
1. Find the lever-clamp bolt (Figure 32, Figure
33, or Figure 34).
2. Decrease the tightness of the clamp bolt two
to three turns.
3. Move the lever.
4. Tighten the lever-clamp bolt:
• Road or mountain brake-lever: 53-69 lb•in
(6.0-7.8 N•m).
• Middle-bar lever (Figure 34): 20-30 lb•in
(2.3-3.3 N•m).
To adjust the reach to the brake-lever
With some brake-levers, you can adjust the
reach, the distance from the handlebar to
the lever.
1. Find the reach-adjustment screw (Figure 33)
and turn. To decrease the reach, turn the
screw clockwise. To increase the reach, turn
the screw counterclockwise.
2. If it is necessary after you adjust the reach,
adjust the brake-pad clearance.
To change which lever controls the front brake
1. Release the brake.
2. Disconnect the brake cables:
• For a bicycle with a drop-type handlebar,
remove the handlebar tape. Then disconnect
each brake cable and fully remove it from the
lever.
• For a mountain bicycle, remove the leaded
end of the cable from the lever.
3. Install the cables into the opposite levers.
4. Close the brakes.
• For a bicycle with a drop-type handlebar,
replace the handlebar tape.
5. Examine the brakes as shown in Chapter 1,
and adjust the brakes as necessary.
Wheels
Each month, or whenever you change tires
or tubes, examine tires for worn areas and
damage. Make sure rims are clean so that the
brakes function correctly. Make sure there are
no loose spokes or spokes with damage so
that the wheel remains straight and strong.
Make sure the wheel (hub) bearings are
correctly adjusted. Make sure a rim strip is
in the correct location and it fully covers all
spoke holes or nipples so that it protects the
inner tube from puncture.
Once a month, inspect the rims. If the wear-
indicators on the brake surface show the rim is
worn, or if the brake surface is not flat, replace
the rim.
WARNING: Brake-pads remove rim
material when you apply the brake. If
the brakes remove too much material
over time, the rim can become weak
and break, decrease your control, and
cause you to fall. Regularly examine
your rims. Replace a rim that is worn.
To examine the adjustment of the hub bearings
1. Lift the end of the bicycle off the ground with
one hand and try to move the rim from the
left to the right. Look, feel, and listen for a
movement in the bearings.
2. Turn the wheel and listen for a grinding noise
or other noises that are not usual.
3. Repeat these procedures for the other wheel.
If the hub feels loose or makes a grinding
noise, servicing is necessary. The adjustment
of the wheel bearings makes special tools and
training necessary. Only your dealer should
adjust bearings.