F3 Brake Pedal Lowered

[Gordon]

I was swapping my brake linkage from a position 5 to a position 4. The brake assembly lever (rear connector) had a clip (pic1). The linkage connection at the brake pedal does not have one and
uses the same bolt and nut, so I was curious why the rear would.

Anyway, the clip was kind of in the way and easy enough to pop off. Hey…great starter holes (pic2) to drill a 5/16” hole. Drilled the first (center pic3) and attached the linkage. The brake
pedal lowered about 1” and felt great to me.

Drilled the second hole and attached the linkage. To get the linkage attached the lever had to move slightly and this took out all the play in the linage and brake pedal.

Moved the linkage back to the center hole (used some thread lock) and I am very happy.

If you want to try lowering the brake pedal more, I believe moving the top hole about a 1/2” closer to the center hole will provide play in the linkage and brake pedal, but I cannot say definitely because I have not tried it.

 

[TommyBwell]

That's great. Let us know how it works. I would love to drop mine a bit.

 

[Gordon]

That's great. Let us know how it works. I would love to drop mine a bit.

Just got back from a test ride. Started around the neighborhood. Did some hard braking. Then went
out to where I could get some speed and do some hard braking. Feels good. I will be making a trip across
town in about an hour. That will give some more test time.

 

[Gordon]

Just got back from a test ride. Started around the neighborhood. Did some hard braking. Then went
out to where I could get some speed and do some hard braking. Feels good. I will be making a trip across
town in about an hour. That will give some more test time.

Test ride A-OK. Braking in traffic, harder stops at traffic lights than I normally would.

Basically I ride with the balls of my feet over the front of the boards (like riding with pegs with foot support). I am able to roll back on the heel of my size 14 and engage the brake pedal with out lifting
my leg.

Bye, Bye combination pegs and footboards.

 

[Turtlesplatter]

I was swapping my brake linkage from a position 5 to a position 4. The brake assembly lever (rear connector) had a clip (pic1). The linkage connection at the brake pedal does not have one and
uses the same bolt and nut, so I was curious why the rear would.

I am new to the F3 but from what I can tell (I installed new linkages to position 2 for my 4' 12" wife), that piece is a bolt retaining clip. If you look at it, it is designed so that if the nut comes off, the clip will prevent the bolt from coming out. The reason there is not one at the brake pedal (and on the shifter side on the SM6) is because the space between bracket that holds the pedal (and shifter) and the head of the bolt is small enough to keep the bolt from coming out IF the nut does comes off...that's why when changing out the linkage, you have to install the front end first then the rear.

With all that said, I am thinking of doing this mod as well. I want her to be able to just slide her foot over the brake and lowering it 1" would be perfect! I guess my concern is...is that retaining clip there for a reason? In other words, was there an issue with that bolt coming out on past models or is it there for added security which can easily be remedied with blue locktite?