Seems like this did the trick. The lever feels much 'tighter' and just more like what properly functional brakes should feel like. Now I just have to adjust the other side and I'll be good to go. Thanks a lot!
This screw would be up top, near the lever. I could find no way to adjust the caliper.
How did you do that? just loosening the bolts on the caliper and holding the lever down? it sounds like you extended the pads out to far and your brakes will now have to be bled.
When doing this adjustment it is helpful to use a rubber band on the lever. This will free up a hand. A piece of business card can be used on each side of the disc between the disc and the left and right pads. This will give the correct distance. Rock the bike. Tighten slowly and evenly. Then hold a white card or piece of paper with a flashlight shining on it when you look between the pads to see there is no rubbing. If it is unevenly rubbing you need to straighten the rotor with a rotor iron.
It could be that the pads have worn to the point where the piston is extended. It is not like fluid vanished. Replacing the pads with new thicker ones could just do the trick. First remove the old pads so you see what you need to order. Ebay has plenty that are great but not logo branded. The caliper needs to be cleaned of contaminants. Then put a little O-ring gel on the piston seal before pushing it in. The new pads go in the way the old ones came out.
thats just for reach.
It's the ONLY adjustment I could find on my '21 Sport.
on mechanical brakes you adjust the pads on the caliper its self. the screw on the lever is only to adjust how far the lever is from the bar. you also don't use the nut on the lever to do it. on hydraulic brakes its only to adjust reach. if the lever is going in to much its usually either the pads are too warn or they need bleed. but they may just need tweaked. its not to hard but you need to be careful. take out the pads and squeeze the lever about 1/2 the way watch the pistons. you want them to come out a little bit and stay. sometimes it takes a few light squeezes. then put the pads back in and test the feel. if you did it too much and the pads are too close you need to push the pistons back in and try again. but if you overdo it you will need to bleed the brakes or you can push the pistons out too far and ruin the caliper. this shows where the screw that adjust reach is located on most levers. mine you can do it with the knob most you need a Allen wrench.
if they are hydraulic you don't have adjustments for wear. that as done automatically to an extent. if your levers are going in too. uc but the brakes are not mushy you can do what I posted above to get them tighter I have done this several times on our tandem and it works we..
Replace the housing and the cable use some
