Triumphrat

quagmire · 09-01-2005

I got my front wheel all together and on the bike. How do you adjust the front brake of a 1970 twin leading shoe drum brake? The haynes and Triumph manual forget to mention this!!! They say it should have come from the factory pre fit, well, that was a long time ago. When I refurbished the brake I used the original shoes. they still had a lot of pad left. The adjuster between the two arms was taken apart for cad plating so I not exactly sure how far apart the ends were. Is there a simple way to do this?

Thanks
Peter :???:

jimballard · 09-01-2005

Ahh, Quag,

The best drum brake ever used on a standard bike!! All you have to do is fit the backing plate with the connecting rod off one of the arms and the nut that holds the backing plate loosened. Now, and a friend would be a help here, pull each brake arm tight and give it a couple of taps with a plastic mallet if you wish (helps center the shoes), now tighten the backing plate nut first and then adjust and install the connecting rod while still holding the brake arms tightly. I adjust my cable so that the lever will hit the handlebar about the time the front tire "chirps" under hard braking at road speeds so that it won't lock up the wheel...3.25 section tire, remember. It sounds more complicated than it is to do.

Going to Owl's Head for the antique bike and aircraft meet, talk to you later: Jim

[ This message was edited by: jimballard on 2005-09-01 20:52 ]

DAGAD · 09-02-2005

Sounds good to me, Jim. However I do it slightly different. Use the handle bar brake lever attached to the long (front) lever on the brake plate and pull it hard. Then tie it off at the handle bar. Next with the connecting rod attached to the front lever, operate the rear lever with a spanner (wrench), again until hard on. Whilst holding it there bring the connecting rod into place and adjust the length to locate the clevice pin to it. I prefer the lever NOT to reach the bars, I like some in reserve :wink: Roy.

quagmire · 09-02-2005

Thanks guys. I'll try it tonight.

ps I'm getting the lower engine in a few weeks. Can't wait, but I'm sure I'll have more questions.

Peter