How do I remove the brake lever?

bwheeler said:

I have a KHS and I need to install new brakes, new housings, new lines. I have the handlebars unwrapped and got stopped short because I don't know how to get the end of the wire out of the brake lever.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Oh, and I've looked inside by pressing the lever and can't really see what's in there. Is there a screw that you need an allen wrench for or a regular screw driver?

I'm thinking that the bicycle gods don't want you to change the brake cables and/or housings.

What makes you think they need to be changed?

If you must ...

First, disconnect the brake cable at the caliper using the appropriate size Allen wrench ...

Squeeze the brake lever ... you will see the END of the cable ... you can either try to grab the end with a pair of pliers OR while squeezing the lever, pull the housing away from the lever a couple of inches & push it back toward the lever to push the end of the cable out of the gimble in the brake lever.

It will probably be easier to put the new cable in the housing AND the housing in the levers if you remove the brake lever from the handlebar ...

If those are Tektro OR Cane Creek levers (or, almost every other brand), then the bolt is accessed by again squeezing the brake lever ... look inside from in front of the bike & you will see the head of the bolt which will probably require an Allen wrench.

Thank you for your help.

I had to replace everything because the brakes were actually stolen off the frame when I was in work. The new brakes required a shorter housing and my first attempt at learning how to do this resulted in me cutting too short and damaging the wire as well.

And I can hardly believe it, but I think I have the rear brake reinstalled!