Brakeaway Install Help

[Chili]

Well frustration has reached it's peak here so I'm looking for help on something that should be a 15 minute job likely. I've wasted two complete evenings now when I should have been riding and I'm still at square one.

I blow through the install to the point of securing the assembly to the brake pivot bolt with everything seemingly fine. Although the unit will not stay engaged unless I push up on the bottom piece near the pin, which it mentions may happen until you do the final adjustments.

From that point on unless I leave everything loose I can not keep the throttle from binding when not engaged. Everything loose and the throttle snaps back no problem, no matter how I try to hold the clamp while tightening the swivel lock screw or the slide lock screw the throttle always starts to bind.

I bought the unit used off a member of this forum so I don't have tech support to fall back on with the dealer or company. Man if I can turn this into a cluster I can just imagine the joy waiting for me when I get my fairing back from paint to get the stereo installed. :'(

[b1rider]

Hey Chili, cool it. (Couldn't resist).
I just installed a breakaway on my 07 yesterday. It wasn't making sense at times but I just kept on going and it all came together in the end. Be sure to follow the instructions just as they have it, don't try to second guess the out-come. I didn't understand about positioning the cam(8) so it just touches the bottom of the brake lever. But once installed I see that the whole mech moves up in the right place for the brake to release the pin when you pull the brake. Stuff like that made me wonder.
Give me time to read again what you did and I will look back thru the instructions and see what I can do.

[b1rider]

Wow, this isn't easy. There are so many steps and if one is not done correctly it could effect what you are seeing. After each step they have you test what you have done. If you missed any of these or it isn't working properly you need to go back and do it again. There is a lot going on for this to work right. Without being there to go thru the steps it's hard to know what is going wrong. Maybe someone close to you could come by and help you thru it.
Try going back thru your steps and if anything is hard to understand let me know and I will try to explain what I did. Just try not to rush it, take your time and do each step completely. You will get this.

[Cajunrider]

Chili, I installed my Brakeaway over 2 years ago and I also had minor problems with the alignment. I may have made 10 attempt before I got it right. And I did follow the directions closely. I'm pretty sure that Brakeaway has a tech support line you can call for help. Just walk away from it for a while and you will get it right. It is very picky to set it but it will work. Good luck.

[Netnorske]

Are you sure you have the right sized rubber ring installed? I f*cked with mine for a long while before I realized I was using the wrong sized rubber ring. I called myself every name I could think of at the time.... ::) .

Also, there is a very tiny adjustment screw (or two) on the very bottom (underneath toward the locking button) that is (or was for me anyways) the final adjustment. I could not lock mine fully until I loosened that screw. Once everything else was set....I adjusted that so that the pin would lock into place when I locked it and then tightened it up.

I also had the challenge of making alternative adjustments as well. I moved my brake housing up the bar to allow for more cable movement when installing my Phat II risers....so I had to compensate for that as well. Like was said before....really take your time, read the directions 20 times over and understand how the thing works. You'll get it.

Here's a closer look at mine....you can see the long screw I had to use and the adjusting nuts to go with it to make it all work.....but once it's installed correctly.....it works like a champ.

[firemanbrent]

i just finished cussing at mine for ohhh eight hours.... look at netnorse's pic where it mounts to the brake lever, mine was binding... we put a vice grip on it and just bent it a lil and now it seems to work... i literally got done with it and logged on here and it was posted! kinda creepy!

[Chili]

As far as the rubber ring, I've got the stock grips and I was trying the medium ring. The thickest one likely would go on if I lubed it like they show for the Kuryakin ISO grips but the medium went on comfortably without.

I'm going over the instructions again step by step as it's too dark to work any longer tonight and I'll have another go tomorrow.

[Chili]

Originally Posted by firemanbrent

i just finished cussing at mine for ohhh eight hours.... look at netnorse's pic where it mounts to the brake lever, mine was binding... we put a vice grip on it and just bent it a lil and now it seems to work... i literally got done with it and logged on here and it was posted! kinda creepy!

That seems to be where my issue is as well. If I loosen off the slide lock screw visible on the plate in the photo as well as the swivel lock (underneath larger hex key) everything is fine as soon as I try to tighten either of those the throttle starts to bind no matter how I try to hold the clamp while tightening.

[Griz]

I am watching this thread closely, as I just received my Breakaway in the mail yesterday. I haven't taken it out of the box yet to look at it, let alone try to install it on the Nomad. I am not a great mechanic, so I hope I don't run into the same problems you have Chili.

[Netnorske]

Chili,
Has your brake reservoir ever been moved from it's original position? If so, that would cause a bind. If you notice in the photo, there is about a 1" gap between my switch housing and the brake reservoir (done to accommodate my risers). From the factory, there should be no gap and the Brakeaway unit assumes no gap. If there is any space in between them on your bike, you might consider doing something like I did with that long screw. It will give you a lot more adjustment to keep the thing from binding. Keep at it....you'll figure it out.

BTW- I too have the stock grips and I think I used the medium ring as well.

[Chili]

I do not believe my reservoir has ever been moved, there is maybe a 1/4" between it and the switch housing. When I loosen off either of the swivel lock screw or slide lock screw and re-center the clamp it slides nice and freely but as soon as I try to tighten it will bind again no matter how I try to hold the clamp centered.

I've got a few errands to run this A.M and then I'll get back at it. If it doesn't cause me to stroke out I'll be back with an update LOL.

[Top Cat]

Wow, I didn't have any where near this much trouble with my Vista-Cruise. ;)
Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

Wow, I didn't have any where near this much trouble with my Vista-Cruise. ;)
Sorry, couldn't resist.

That may be true TC....but you didn't get nearly the bling for your buck either.... ;)!

[Netnorske]

Chili,
If you look close at how that long screw works....you see how much adjustment travel is allowed for in spacing between the main Brakeaway unit housing and that small tab that is attached under your lever. By moving the small nuts up or down the screw....you should be able fully adjust and alleviate any or all bind that is occuring.

I had a similar problem when dealing with the additional space created by moving my brake reservoir....this fixed it for good. I'm pretty sure a similar fix will work for you, though a shorter screw will most likely be in order. You'll need one long enough though to clear that big nut on the bottom of your brake lever. Keep us posted.

[b1rider]

Chili I used the medium rubber also and I have the standard grips, it should work fine. Here are some pics of mine, hope the pics help in some way.