The adjustment screw and locking nut should be located behind the footrest plate. Remove the two large Allen bolts for access.

 

If you do that you remove the whole brake lever assembly. There doesn't seem to be an easier way.
I'm pretty pleased with the cl500 but this is one of its gripes.

Has anyone actually managed to adjust the foot brake?

 

Right, having got my CL uo on my paddock stand having given it a good spring clean to wash all the salt dust off it etc I decided I'd adjust thereat brake. As expected, I removed the rider's footrest/brake pedal complete. It is then a bit fiddly (I have done the same job on my CBR and other bikes without having to remove anything), but it is ins=deed the near universal system whereby you have a 12mm locknut that you loosen and a 10mm adjuster nut that you then turn either way according to whether you want to raise pedal height (my aim) or lower it. The next stage is a bit iterative in that I found that my height adjustment affected the point at which the rear brake light comes on - it didn't at all at first. This is adjusted by turning the black plastic thumbwheel on the switch adjuster. Then you need to replace the footrest assembly finger tight, turn on the ignition and test the point at which the rear brake light turns on. I has several goes at this to get it just so. Once right, torque up the two footrest/brake pedal plate mounting Allen bolts and the job's a good un.

 

Hi

Planning to make some rear brake pedal changes tomorrow. I use the rear brake a lot for gentle slowing/control thru turns and I am just tired of my foot feeling sore from the awkward angle with the rear brake too high.

the service manual shows to remove the rear master reservoir, were you able to make the rear brake changes without removing it?

BRAKE PEDAL
REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
Remove the bolt and rear master cylinder reservoir
(page 18-5)
Support the right rider footpeg bracket [1] securely and
remove the bracket bolts [2].

 

I didn't bother, as far as I can remember I just unclipped the hose.

 

I also need to replace my rear brake pedal. Any tips for me? Do I infact have to remove the reservoir ?

 

I adjusted the rear brake pedal with the adjustment bolts and I did not remove it. It was tight work - it might be easier to just unbolt the reservoir for a little extra wiggle room to work on the pedal.

 

So I dropped my scl and bent the rear pedal. I looked it up online and many said to just bend it back LOL.

Would you say this looks fine(ish)? Ill attach some photos.

I also noticed that I have to put a decent amount of pressure to get the rear brake light to trigger while the front brake triggers it with just a tap. Is this normal? Can't find in the service manual where it says how to adjust this. It basically just mentions it. Maybe I glossed it over to fast.

I appreciate the work you have put into this forum. I feel like I owe you a tip !

 

So I dropped my scl and bent the rear pedal. I looked it up online and many said to just bend it back LOL.

Would you say this looks fine(ish)? Ill attach some photos.

I also noticed that I have to put a decent amount of pressure to get the rear brake light to trigger while the front brake triggers it with just a tap. Is this normal? Can't find in the service manual where it says how to adjust this. It basically just mentions it. Maybe I glossed it over to fast.

I appreciate the work you have put into this forum. I feel like I owe you a tip !

Hi,

I did the exact same thing… I bent both my front and rear brakes. The front brake handle I managed to easily unbend but I am quite afraid to do the same with the rear one without taking it off…

Is it possible to take it off from the bike without disconnecting the hoses? I only want to be able to position it in a way I can hammer it into position without putting pressure on the rear master cylinder?

 

Turn the plastic adjuster screw. It is a bit of a fiddle to get it right. It's best to test before tightening up the footrest mounting bolts fully. Brake pedal looks ok.

 

Yes. It's made of mild steel. I have straightened a similar brake pedal on another Honda, the result was it looked like new. To do this you need a vice with soft jaws (two bit of wood). Judicious use of either a long lever or a hammer should then do the job. I didn't need to use heat.