Finishing Braided Motorcycle Lever

[Dreadly]

I put this thread under Braiding, but thought since it got 30 views and no responses, maybe I could post it here

braided levers

Looking for ideas on how to close/finish the braid.

[Dwight]

I'm not sure I can explain this well enough, . . . but if it were mine, . . . for my bike, . . . I'd do a little bit more braiding (see middle photo) on the inside of the lever where your hands do not touch, . . . bringing that out past the knob.

I would then very carefully pull all the strands together with the lever in a padded vise, . . . taking care to see that the strands aren't just a gob, . . . but pulled together in a logical sequence, . . . and I would then use black waxed linen or black waxed polyester thread, . . . and use a "Whipping" technique that is usually used to secure the ends of ropes.

I would "whip" it for about an inch or so, . . . then get on the internet and learn how to do a turk's head type knot. You can do a small turk's head over the whipping to cover it, . . . and another at the other end of the lever. Do them with a spool of black leather lace from Tandy's. That will let the rest of the strands hang down from your handlebars and look cool parked, . . . and beat the heck out of your bare arms as you tool down the asphalt at 60

By the way, . . . get a 1/2 or 5/8 inch dowel and practice your turk's head, . . . and don't scream/cuss/cry about the first one, . . . it'll be ugly, lopsided, and a few other things. But a little practice and you will like it.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Dreadly]

I'm not sure I can explain this well enough, . . . but if it were mine, . . . for my bike, . . . I'd do a little bit more braiding (see middle photo) on the inside of the lever where your hands do not touch, . . . bringing that out past the knob.

I would then very carefully pull all the strands together with the lever in a padded vise, . . . taking care to see that the strands aren't just a gob, . . . but pulled together in a logical sequence, . . . and I would then use black waxed linen or black waxed polyester thread, . . . and use a "Whipping" technique that is usually used to secure the ends of ropes.

I would "whip" it for about an inch or so, . . . then get on the internet and learn how to do a turk's head type knot. You can do a small turk's head over the whipping to cover it, . . . and another at the other end of the lever. Do them with a spool of black leather lace from Tandy's. That will let the rest of the strands hang down from your handlebars and look cool parked, . . . and beat the heck out of your bare arms as you tool down the asphalt at 60

By the way, . . . get a 1/2 or 5/8 inch dowel and practice your turk's head, . . . and don't scream/cuss/cry about the first one, . . . it'll be ugly, lopsided, and a few other things. But a little practice and you will like it.

May God bless,

Dwight

Dwight ... I appreciate that. I will give this technique a go!