Rubber Lever End Thingies

[Nemo_imp]

Lol...HEY NEMO

Glass cleaner on the lever and/or inside the RLET. Hold the RLET in a rag so it doesn’t slip from your fingers, present the RLET opening to the lever’s ball, speak the magic words (Come on baby, I’ll be gentle), and slide it in.

[lash_imp]

I use tire mounting lube, works great !

[the Ferret]

wow pdedse that was like 4 seconds. That would be a new forum record I think

[misterprofessionality]

Lol...HEY NEMO

Glass cleaner on the lever and/or inside the RLET. Hold the RLET in a rag so it doesn’t slip from your fingers, present the RLET opening to the lever’s ball, speak the magic words (Come on baby, I’ll be gentle), and slide it in.

See, all that seems logical, but my attempts to do that (albeit with oil, grease, and wd40 one after another) just resulted in the RLET kind of crumpling up and refusing to cooperate. the opening just kind of folds up rather than stretching around the lever end, and I don't know how to stop it from doing that.

wow pdedse that was like 4 seconds. That would be a new forum record I think

I have no idea what I just saw. All i can do is take his advice about the microwave and try that. I tried boiling it but it didn't really affect the flexibility much.

He said to put oil on it, then microwave it...that strikes me as a way to get some super hot oil on your fingers. did he mean to put the oil on after the microwaving?

At any rate. My next attempt will be in a few days, on account of splitting one of them open while trying to put it on. Got to wait for a new one to ship.

[The A-man]

I found it important to be in the right state of mind. Mine sat in the tool box for 4 or 5 months before I had the courage to try. I knew that if I failed, I'd be compelled to tell others here about my shortcomings. I expected to receive some encouragement, and some ridicule (yes, you know who you are!). Then one day, it all felt right. I cleared all negative thoughts from my mind. Then, to my amazement, the first one went on in about 15 seconds, the second in about 20. I felt elation! I was in THE CLUB!

My "secrets": warm, soapy water and mechanics gloves.

Good luck, you can do this!

Lol...HEY NEMO

Glass cleaner on the lever and/or inside the RLET. Hold the RLET in a rag so it doesn’t slip from your fingers, present the RLET opening to the lever’s ball, speak the magic words (Come on baby, I’ll be gentle), and slide it in.

See, all that seems logical, but my attempts to do that (albeit with oil, grease, and wd40 one after another) just resulted in the RLET kind of crumpling up and refusing to cooperate. the opening just kind of folds up rather than stretching around the lever end, and I don't know how to stop it from doing that.

wow pdedse that was like 4 seconds. That would be a new forum record I think

I have no idea what I just saw. All i can do is take his advice about the microwave and try that. I tried boiling it but it didn't really affect the flexibility much.

He said to put oil on it, then microwave it...that strikes me as a way to get some super hot oil on your fingers. did he mean to put the oil on after the microwaving?

At any rate. My next attempt will be in a few days, on account of splitting one of them open while trying to put it on. Got to wait for a new one to ship.

See, all that seems logical, but my attempts to do that (albeit with oil, grease, and wd40 one after another) just resulted in the RLET kind of crumpling up and refusing to cooperate. the opening just kind of folds up rather than stretching around the lever end, and I don't know how to stop it from doing that.

wow pdedse that was like 4 seconds. That would be a new forum record I think

I have no idea what I just saw. All i can do is take his advice about the microwave and try that. I tried boiling it but it didn't really affect the flexibility much.

He said to put oil on it, then microwave it...that strikes me as a way to get some super hot oil on your fingers. did he mean to put the oil on after the microwaving?

At any rate. My next attempt will be in a few days, on account of splitting one of them open while trying to put it on. Got to wait for a new one to ship.

[2017EX_imp]

Apologies if this has been said previously in this Loooong thread. Rubber softens and becomes more elastic heated in boiling water. First look at the opening in the RLET, It is somewhat "D" shaped. The straight portion of the "D" fits the back side of the lever. Boil the RLETs in a small pan, and carry the hot pan out to near your bike. Apply warm soapy water to the ball of the lever. Catch the straight portion of the "D" opening on the back side of the lever ball end ( wear gloves because of heat and to provide friction while pushing against the rubber ). Holding the back side in place with one hand, work the front ( rounded portion of the opening in the RLET ) around the ball with the other hand. Once the RLET stem is past the ball, a little tweaking to get position on the lever end aligned. After doing one, you may have to re-heat to do the other.

The soapy water lubricant will evaporate and dry without harming the rubber. Grease, WD-40, or anything chemical/petroleum based will not evaporate, and may interact with the rubber over time, so I would not use anything to lube except soapy water.

[Nortoon_imp]

Lining up the flat part of the RLET and the flat part of lever is how I slipped mine on. It took awhile to figure it out, so I posted it on [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2491&page=89]page 89 of this thread.

However maybe we should let new owners go through the exercise to gain their wings.

[misterprofessionality]

Victory.

I discovered the key element that nobody was saying out loud (or so it seemed). The rag! Some people had mentioned using a clean dry shop rag, but never explained why that was important. As long as the exterior of the rlet is dry and clean and so is the rag, the rag allows you to keep a grip on the neck of the rlet as it stretches over the ball end of the lever. I'll repeat that this is specifically for gripping the neck of the rlet, because my first instinct was to push against the ball part and that absolutely will not work. Using the rag you can force the rlet neck over the ball and then it goes on. This is the most important secret. Oil or something on the inside is absolutely required too.

[Lord Popgun]

Ummm, very good. A Padawan learner no longer you are. One of us you are now!! A CB Master!

[the Ferret]

and thanks to MP another angel get's their wings!