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Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: The VW Doc on June 03, 2011, 02:34 PM

Title: Old skool Brakes - good or not?
Post by: The VW Doc on June 03, 2011, 02:34 PM
Having virtuallly finished my 2 bike builds (a DP Firebird Mk2 and a Mk1 Raleigh Burner) i took them for a little test ride yesterday.

I remember (20-25 years ago now) that I used to be able to lock the back wheel up of my bikes when riding, but now the brakes seem a little feeble.

I know I am now much heavier than I was, but they do seem quite poor. The Firebird has MX levers & brakes, the Burned has all original Weinmann brakes.

The brakes on both bikes are similar in performance - new brake blocks (both bikes have different types fitted) fitted fresh from the box with no sanding/roughing up the surface. Should i have done this? And all the wheels are alloy rims. No I haven't polished the rims.

Maybe I ought to meths wipe the rims (to de-grease them) in case they have got contaminated? Although to my finger, they dont feel greasy/oily

Or are they just generally not good compared to the brakes on newer bikes?
Title: Re: Old skool Brakes - good or not?
Post by: TELLIS302000 on June 03, 2011, 03:16 PM
They are obviously not as good as todays standard of brakes.

Let them bed in a bit the re adjust them.

If you are going to wipe the rims etc use something like brake and clutch cleaner...can be bought in an aerosol.

Antony
Title: Re: Old skool Brakes - good or not?
Post by: brettypeeps on June 03, 2011, 03:23 PM
Old brakes are rubbish but look the Mutts.

I use new school blocks when I ride and they work well with Dia-compe 880's

Clear brake blocks are meant to work well :daumenhoch: but I use the new Skyway blocks and the are fine for me :4_17_5:
Title: Re: Old skool Brakes - good or not?
Post by: sid1972 on June 03, 2011, 03:26 PM
I always thought 1000's were awesome, depends what your doing?

got to be better than wedging your foot in the forks..  :idiot2:
Title: Re: Old skool Brakes - good or not?
Post by: The VW Doc on June 03, 2011, 03:28 PM
Cheers guys - i will give them time to bed in (and not try any emergency stops!)
I may wipe the rims down as well (and roughen up the brake pad surfaces as well - every little helps  :)
Title: Re: Old skool Brakes - good or not?
Post by: The VW Doc on June 03, 2011, 03:30 PM
got to be better than wedging your foot in the forks..  :idiot2:

Definately! I dont get how kids ride bikes nower days with no brakes?? - God I must be getting old!  :-[
Title: Re: Old skool Brakes - good or not?
Post by: dordymush on June 06, 2011, 12:30 AM
get some clear new school pads mucka.
they'll stop ya  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Old skool Brakes - good or not?
Post by: glenboy on June 06, 2011, 01:04 AM
yes as above the tech has moved on and we are generally a bit heavier than back in the day give darren K.A.P. off here a pm he has some new school pads with os brakes and they really stop his are yellow sort of clear pads similar to  skyway
Title: Re: Old skool Brakes - good or not?
Post by: The VW Doc on June 06, 2011, 12:26 PM
Cheers glenboy - I have PM'd Darren K.A.P to see what he has

Dordymush - any "clear new school pads" in particular? (Or is there really only one make??
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