Rear Brake lever (Handle)

I'm a little clumsy with my feet on the back brake and have a tenndency to lock it up at stupid times, such as pulling to a stop. So I was wondering how much work would it be to either install another lever under the front brake lever?

I have three potions as far as I know:

The more practical option of adding another caliper and keeping my rear pedal and having the extra if I should want to use it.

Removing the lever from my footpeg and somehow adding the extra lever to my handlebar.

Give this up as a silly idea and try to be less ham fisted (or footed in this instance).

Any advide or ideas would be much appreciated. thanks a alot.

[northwind]

You can get thumb-operated rear brakes for racing purposes, AP make 'em among others. And AP also make slave cylinders- which, I think, would enable you to run a thumb master cylinder and a standard rear one. For about £400

Or, you could be less hamfooted If this were SV Rider, everyone would tell you that the rear brake is useless anyway and that you shouldn't use it, but I don't agre with that at all- it's only useless if you're too incompetent to use it... Or, in your case, if you've just not got it worked out yet. Try adjusting hte lever level too, that might help.

Ah right, that's some handy info there.

I was hoping to have something along the lines of a thumb brake. Is there anyway I could use an existing brake lever and cut it down and somehow remove the rear brake? Just out of interes, I don't have any plans to start chopping up my bike yet.

Thanks for the help. I'll have to look into it a bit more to see if I can find a cheapish solution.

[northwind]

I saw an ad in Sreetfighters for something that reused a standard rear master cylinder, but I can't remember the name of the company. ABM? Something like that. Then, longer hose to match. But seriously, hardware isn't often the fix for a software problem...

Maybe weaker pads? Do you know what's in there now? I've got a really rubbish set of EBC organics on a Galfer wavy disc, which I reckon is a really good setup- you can lock it if you try, but it's right at the very end of the travel- which is how it should be, IMO.

[Biker Biggles]

I think your braking tecknique is the best(and cheapest) answer.You need to learn to use much gentler pressure on the pedal,and bear in mind that the rear brake does little to stop the bike.Your main braking effort comes from the front,so much so that some riders advocate not using the rear at all.I don't agree with that,but I do use the rear as a steadying brake rather than a stopping device so I get used to the idea of just gentle pressure on the pedal.

Okay well I suppose I'd better come clean. I can brake fine for everyday riding, but I find the brake position very uncomfortable and would much rather use a thumb. And it would help with learning wheelies.

But twas not all a lie. I can still be a bit heffer-ish with my feet in a panic situation. As I found out today going down the Alton road. Slammed it as I saw a parked car that I thought was moving. Dumb I know, but I'm still learning.

I just think I'd have more control if I used my hands rather than my feet.

Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming.

[northwind]

Lower your brake lever about an inch at the tip (as long as you can still reach it!) If it's already s low as you can reach, raise it First thing to try, that.