Author Topic: Fly front brake  (Read 4089 times)

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Offline MikeW

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Fly front brake
« on: 18 Jul 2010 at 22:13 »
I have heard various unsubstantiated comments over the years re Fly brakes describing them as everything from abysmal to good but so far, all attempts to get a front brake on my Fly that offers any serious retardation have failed. I have built up two front wheels with (admittedly not new but) seemingly unworn sets of linings only to find both have no stopping power?
The drums are not scored, the linings, springs, pivots, levers and cable all seem fine.
I tried my local brake factor with the view to them re-lining a set of shoes to try and improve things only to be told, they have ceased doing this on H & S grounds?
Before sending shoes to far flung specialists in the hope they will produce something that gives me a brake, can anyone advise, a successful source/proven material that delivers a safe front brake using the original British Hub Co unit?.
I am not expecting the same as a modern disc or even the power of my twin leading shoe 650 Triumph, but so far, I do not feel I can submit my Fly for MOT because of the complete lack of an effective stopper?
Regards
Mike

Offline eddie

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Re: Fly front brake
« Reply #1 on: 20 Jul 2010 at 07:21 »
Mike,
         The symptoms you have described regarding your brakes being almost totally ineffective can often be attributed to the shoes not being concentric with the drum - and maybe the trailing shoe is touching first. I have never played around with 'British Hub' brakes, but this dodge works with 'Douglas' brakes.
      On the front brake, your backplate pivots on a bronze bush with a steel inner sleeve. Open out the bore of the sleeve so that it is a slack fit on the hollow spindle. When reassembling the brake, apply the brake before tightening the nut on the hollow spindle that clamps this bush - this will centralise the linings to the drum and should provide a much better 'brake'. On the rear brake, you can just open out the hole in the centre of the brakeplate.
     As I say, this dodge works well on the brakes fitted to the Marks and early Dragonflies - I have had the front tyre squealing on my 'Fly' - but must admit I have found that the effectiveness of the brakes is pretty well proportional to the level of panic at the time!!!
                   Regards,
                                 Eddie.

Offline MikeW

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Re: Fly front brake
« Reply #2 on: 26 Jul 2010 at 23:45 »
Eddie,
Sorry for delay in replying, Due to other urgent activities, I have not had a chance to access and act upon messages earlier.
Thanks for the sugestions, I will try this before trying different linings
Regards
Mike W