Set-up & adjustments · 79Bike · Sur-Ron · Talaria
How to set up the handlebar and brake levers on an electric dirt bike
A badly set-up cockpit pumps your forearms in twenty minutes and slows every braking action. On an electric bike there is no clutch: both levers are brakes, so their set-up matters even more. Fifteen minutes is enough to fit the bike to your size.
Handlebar rotation and height
Seated and then standing on the pegs, your wrists should stay in line with your forearms. Baseline: the bar's rise in line with the fork when viewed from the side. Taller riders roll the bar slightly forward; younger riders roll it back. Some clamps can also be turned around to move the bar a few millimetres forward or back.
Brake lever angle
Standing in attack position, the levers should continue the line of your forearms: in practice about 30–45° below horizontal. Too high and you have to bend your wrist; too low and your hand slips when seated. Slightly loosen the master cylinder clamp (without removing it), rotate, and tighten moderately: it should be able to turn in a crash rather than break.
Lever reach: one- or two-finger braking
Most levers have a reach adjuster dial or screw. Set it so the first joint of your index finger (or index and middle) catches the lever without stretching. Small hands — young L1e-B riders especially — gain a lot of safety from a closer lever. Afterwards, spin the wheel by hand to check the brake doesn't drag.
Throttle
The throttle must snap back to closed on its own, with the bars turned fully left and right. Leave a little free play (1–2 mm at the edge) and check it doesn't rub against the brake lever or switchgear. A sticking throttle is a safety defect: don't ride until it's fixed. See our power loss guide if acceleration becomes jerky.
Tools you need
- Allen keys (4, 5, 6 mm depending on model)
- Torque wrench
- Protractor or smartphone angle app
Step-by-step procedure
- 1
Position the bar
Loosen the clamps, line the bar up with the fork, adjust slightly for your size and tighten in a cross pattern to the manual's torque.
- 2
Set lever angle
Standing on the pegs, set the levers about 30–45° below horizontal, in line with your forearms.
- 3
Set reach
Use the reach dial or screw to bring the lever in until the first finger joint catches it comfortably.
- 4
Check the throttle
With the bars turned both ways, the throttle must return to closed on its own without rubbing.
- 5
Test static, then rolling
Make sure no brake drags, then do a low-speed test before riding normally.
Useful genuine parts
In stock, shipped in 3–10 business days.
FAQ
Why not clamp the levers really tight?+
A slightly lighter clamp lets the lever rotate in a crash instead of snapping. It should stay put by hand but be able to turn under impact.
My child can't reach the levers. What can I do?+
Wind the reach adjuster all the way in. If that's not enough, short-reach levers exist — ask us for the compatible part.
Which lever operates which brake?+
On an electric bike without a clutch, both levers are brakes. Check on your model which one is front and which is rear before your first ride.
Key takeaways
Bar aligned, levers in line with your forearms, reach matched to your hand and a throttle that snaps back: that's the foundation of precise, less tiring riding.
Need a hand?
Our workshop in Toulouse Sud (France) services 79Bike, Sur-Ron and Talaria. Send us a photo or video of the problem.
Related guides
These guides are for information only. If in doubt about a safety-critical part (brakes, steering, wheels), have a professional do the work. Always follow the manufacturer's manual.