How to remove the rear brake lever???

[74GT250]

After looking for a smallish two stroke street bike for a while I recently bought a 74 GT250 that had been parked outside for three years. The good news were that it was complete, engine was not frozen, and it had a title. Chain was rusted solid and front brake stuck so it was interesting getting it loaded up. All components are off the frame now, except the rear brake lever which will not come off! I'm a pretty handy guy but i cannot for the life of me figure out how it is supposed to come off! Can someone please tell me what I am missing?

Cleaning and de-rusting has started, lots and lots of both to do. Here is a picture from I brought it home. My wife was very impressed...



Any advise appreciated,
Thomas

[74GT250]

As far as i can tell there are no pins or clips holding the lever on. It easily rotates 360 degrees but not coming off. Tried to pri, tap and pull. What am i missing? Please help.

[ConnerVT]

It really doesn't look any different than how my T500 pedal is installed. You should be able to slide it right off, after removing the foot peg bracket, and unhooking the spring.

My guess is that there is a burr at the end of the shaft, holding it on, either built up from corrosion, or by someone peening the end of the shaft. I'd try a heavy dose of rust remover/PB Blaster, then trying to clean/chip out what is in the way. Get more drastic after that. A gear/wheel puller would give you some more mechanical leverage.

[74GT250]

Thank you for confirming that nothing else should be holding it on the shaft. What has me puzzled is that the stop is so solid trying to get it off. Giving it a wack from the frame side with a flat punch is like hitting the frame, with no movement at all, while the lever rotates easily.

I'll see if any of my pullers can get a grip on the lever, the gap on the inside is very small.

Thanks,
Thomas

[74GT250]

I finally got the lever off. Took A LOT of force. Had to drive increasingly thick wedge shaped tools between the lever and the bottom of the shaft using a big hammer and it fought me all the way. Apparently the end of the shaft had somehow been mushroomed out because there was no rust ridge or similar.

Thanks,
Thomas