Thanks Phantom, that's clear now.

I use one on my cruiser, and so I'm familiar with the install. Do I understand correctly that this installation would not function correctly without the modified "bananna" lever that you custom made?

I can not quite tell from the description previously given, but I think you decided to do this to provide "more stability" to the BrakeAway (so to give less throttle twist when engaging it, which is now clear to me).

The thing I can't tell is whether or not the install would succeed "out of the box" with the boxed bananna lever, or if you had to make this part to make the installation succeed (more than just additional stability).

Lots of words, but I hope enough to get my idea across.

Thanks for your patience with me, and thanks very much for the clear up-close picture.

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Phantom, Brenny:

I really gotta stop replying to threads first thing in the morning. You'd think I was loopy or something. Yes, the picture is a Vista, and yes, I'd still like to see what Brenny did...

I'm going back to sleep now...

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So, I received one of these and attempted to install it on a 2012 ZX-14R.

It will not install without mod, as Brenny indicated.

Here's a picture of the BrakeAway, out-of-the-box:

See that "L" bracket at the end of the assembly? It's not long enough. It's about 1/2 inch long (from bend to mount hole), and needs to be about 2 inch long.

The supplied "L" bracket is almost 1/8 inch thick, very robust and for good reason. It's a primary mount point for the BrakeAway and if it "flexes", it would cause the set-speed (the speed you want to hold) to vary as it flexes.

So, this can be modded in a couple ways. Brenny chose an "extender" bracket, I think. That is, use the supplied "L" bracket and make an extension, a flat piece of metal with two holes, one for the Brake Lever assembly bolt and one for the "L" bracket bolt.

Or, make a new "L" bracket with the "long" end about 2 inches long, and "short" end about 1/2 inch, with two holes. Make it a tad longer than you think you need, and the "extra" length can be adjusted out by the adjustable length "slide" you see in the photo.

It needs to be thick, or you'll not be happy with the way the thing maintains the set speed.

Just so's ya know...

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...Forgot to mention.

Brenny also mentioned needing a longer Brake Lever assembly bolt. He's right. The OEM bolt is long enough to be flush mount to the under-side of the Brake Lever assembly (that thingie with all the switches on it).

It's not long enough to mount an extra 1/8 inch thick metal bracket...

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Just installed a set of Throttlemeister bar end weights / throttle lock tonight. I had a set on my ZX-11 and loved them. Being able to relax the right hand for a few minutes on straight boring road sections is a welcomed break. Every long ride on the Zx-14 I promised myself that it would be the next purchase. But I never seemed to get around to it. I have a 1000km (600 mile) single day loop coming up and figured that I better treat myself right. They install in about 15 minutes and look good. You do not even have to remove your grip, simply roll it back 25mm (1"). I went with the brushed stainless. I like that they are not bulky and in terms of a throttle lock are basically invisible. I do appreciate why some members enjoy the thumb cam latch style throttle lock (had one on a Honda Hawk as a kid) as they are a bit easier to use.

Spyglass

* Last updated by: spyglass on 6/17/2012 @ 2:29 PM *

Sorry it took so long mebgardner,
I have edited the pics, hope it makes things clearer.


A better angle of the bracket that I fabricated, just helps firm up the install and helps prevent the whole mechanism from twisting.

* Last updated by: Brenny on 7/8/2012 @ 8:15 PM *

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Thanks Brenny, I'm grateful for your follow-up.

I see the extra "spacer" metal block fastened with the longer screw into the switch housing, nice. I know it's supplied with the BrakeAway.

...and now I see how you mounted the extra bracket (painted black). You used the brake switch bolt, not the brake lever bolt. Did you have to replace that with something longer, too?

Would you be interested in kitting parts for me to do this mod? I would gladly pay you for your time and materials to do it.

Thanks for the consideration...

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mebgardner wrote:

Would you be interested in kitting parts for me to do this mod? I would gladly pay you for your time and materials to do it.

I wouldn't have a problem doing that for you, the only real issue is time & distance. I'll see what I can do but I can't make any promises.(could take me awhile & I'm not sure how long shipping would take) Perhaps a better solution would be if I R & R my bracket and do some detailed drawings of it so you can copy it??

* Last updated by: Brenny on 7/10/2012 @ 2:13 AM *

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...and now I see how you mounted the extra bracket (painted black). You used the brake switch bolt, not the brake lever bolt. Did you have to replace that with something longer, too?

I did actually use the brake lever bolt and didn't need to modify it in any way, there is a sharp bend in the bracket however to accommodate the profile of the lever housing.

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You're very kind to make such an offer. I'm thankful that there are folks like you on this forum. Mostly, I read much hatred, and so this conversation is refreshing. May you continue to live well.

I see you've indicated that extra (black) bracket is mounted to the brake lever bolt. Honestly, I do not get that from the pictures, so I'm glad you mentioned it. I do see that it is thin.

I have another idea I'm thinking about. I already have an extension bracket, made from a 6 inch straight brace, from a local HW store (Ace HW). But, it's thick (intentionally). I've decided to try to "lengthen" the brake lever bolt in a non-traditional method: Remove the end cap nut, screw on a (longest I can find in correct thread) open nut, screw in a threaded shaft (cut from another bolt) into that, and tighten. Voila! longer brake lever bolt, and now (hopefully) that lever profile is also solved, because the new bracket will clamp between two open bolts, above that level profile...

I'm gonna try that, and I'm hopeful I can make it strong enough for the job.

Again, thanks for your kindness. I'll let you know how it goes...

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Hi Mebgardner, I think I understand what you are intending to do & I can't see any reason why it shouldn't work. Afterall there are many ways to skin a cat. Here are few more pics of my bracket I pulled the covers off the bike last night and tried to get some better photographs.



let me know if you'd still like to know it's dimensions, I can remove it this weekend and take some measurements.

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Brenny, you're a prince.

That's very fine offer, and I would like to take you up on it.

After thinking about it for a little, I figure your installation (2 point brace) is much better than mine (one point brace with a screw half threaded into a critical bolt.)

So, may I please have that drawing, at your convenience?

Thanks very much.

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Just a quick update...

I installed the -03 model:

http://www.brakeawayproducts.com/appguide-6CB03-03.php?make_id=2&model_id=15

... and it works very well for me.

I decided that Brenny had the right idea, and used the switch housing screw as he shows. But, I did not make and / or install the additional bracket, as he did. I bought the longer screw at Home Depot (5 mm .8 x 30 mm long), and mounted the Brake Away to the single point on the switch housing.

It works fine, very little flex at the mount point when the Brake Away is engaged (holding speed), and I then adjust the throttle. No issues, bolted up within a half hour once I had the (pictured above) layout in mind.

Brake Away clutch strength (amount of force to overcome the throttle hold position) was just right out of the box.

This is a great alternative to those who want push button disengagement, but dont want to deal with the electrical issues of installing the electrical cruise control.

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