Motorcycle Repair: Brake lever removal / replacement, needlenose pliers, ring pliers

Question
Hello Falcon,

First off thank you for taking time to help. I have a 2000 Victory sport cruiser (92SC) which I need to replace the brake lever on. I can not figure out how to take the lever off. I have removed the mirror and bracket and i can see the fastener which holds the lever in place but it is not an allen screw it looks like a spring or some sort of c or D ring type fastener. How do you get the brake lever off?

thanks,
Stan

Answer
Hi Stan.
 It's hard to describe exactly how to safely remove a circlip in such a way as to not lose it, but here goes.

there are two methods.  Both are equally difficult/anoying depending on your dexterity.

First method:

This requires a set of ring pliers.  Set the tip of the pliers into the space between the ring and the post and slowly pull away from the open end of the clip till it is at least half way off.  Then grab the clip with a pair of needlenose pliers and remove the rest of the way.

Second method:

Using a small standard screwdriver, place the tip into the space mentioned in the 1st method and pry the clip away from it's open end till about half way off, then pull it the rest of the way off with a pair of needlenose pliers.

Admittedly, both methods sound so easy, but they are both more difficult and annoyng than it seems.  What looks like a one minute operation can often turn out to be 5-10 minutes and drive you to distraction in the process.

Good luck.
FALCON