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Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: GooseJuice on October 19, 2018, 09:18 PM

Title: Brake calliper fitting - looking for advice
Post by: GooseJuice on October 19, 2018, 09:18 PM

Hi

Looking for some brake fitting advice on what is my first project bike.  When I got the bike (an 83 Supergoose) it needed new brakes.  As a quick and somewhat cheap fix so I could get some late summer use out of the bike I bought these Dia-Compe style brakes from Alan's BMX and fitted them with clear pads to prevent rubber marks on the wheels:

http://www.alansbmx.com/1353581/products/oxford_mx1000_oldschool_brake_set.aspx

The problem I'm having is that I can't seem to get the callipers to sit right. When I tension the brake level the movement between each side of the brake differs greatly and I think this is because no matter how much I attempt to tighten the callipers to the frame they move too much.  It's tough to explain so I've uploaded a couple of videos here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kQdF4hMYYebJDW518

This is either one of two things - the quality of the brakes I bought or that there's simply a knack to doing this that I haven't figured out.

I'd really appreciate some advise from the veterans on here!!  Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Brake calliper fitting - looking for advice
Post by: oldschoolace on October 19, 2018, 10:06 PM

It's a common problem mate.  The brakes look like a cheapo copy which wont help but they should still work fine with a little fettling. A tiny drop of oil between each of the parts on the axle can help but I usually bend the spring on the weaker side straighter so it counteracts the unbalanced nature of these brakes

Title: Re: Brake calliper fitting - looking for advice
Post by: MartyC on October 20, 2018, 04:53 AM

You need to centre the spindle of the caliper, this video from Park Tools shows you everything you need to know to get it right  :daumenhoch:

Title: Re: Brake calliper fitting - looking for advice
Post by: GooseJuice on October 20, 2018, 08:27 PM

Thanks for the replies. The video in particular clarified a lot for me. With a bit of jiggery pokery this afternoonI've managed to get the Goose running much better.

Great community on here. Will definitely be spending more time on the site while I keep going on the project over winter. Cheers!!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181020/4cfe6911f925be9c72e11c9e8cdcc60b.jpg)

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