Hitchcocks Forum

Greetings one and all, I am back after an absence of 18 months and an excursion into Yamaha 900’s and BMW R850R which only served to aggravate my crotchety old frame so back to sensibility and the distinct pleasure and problem solving of the “olde” iron barrelled Bullet.

I have recently acquired a 2000 plate 500 DL Bullet non ES, this being my fourth Bullet in 5 years. It was sadly lacking in the retardation department e.g. the front brake had not been set up properly, new shoes had been fitted but the drum had not been glaze busted. I have rectified these problems, however our hosts on page 157 of the current catalogue list an improved cam and shoe geometry front brake plate as fitted from June 2002. Is it possible to tell which is which just by looking at the brake plate? Just a thought, neither of the trunnions have a thread and the link rod has a locking nut on the top trunnion only – don’t like this as the adjusting nuts are not profiled to the trunnions outer radius so could potentially move in use.

Many thanks

Phil (PJ)

Hello PHIL & welcome home ------------Yamaha's indeed, tsk-tsk. So, you're back to normal now so have a look at this }-----http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/pi ... erhaul.pdf --------------- This mod greatly improves the proper working of the twin-leading shoe ( I can personally vouch for that on my recent Bullet65). Can't help on the new geometry 'cos I didn't know myself until you said LoL !!! Others may have the info you seek. Be seeing you----------Alan R ( Ex-Berks)

Hi Phil. When new, the top and bottom trunnion were both threaded...one with a RH thread and the other a LH thread. This allows the nut on each thread to be tightened against the trunnion solidly to lock up the adjustment after the connecting rod had been turned for adjustment. However; the brake plate is located with no play on the spindle so the individual brake arms have to be adjusted to make each shoe contact the drum simultaneously. This is very difficult with the standard two threaded trunnion design so there is a mod to drill out the top trunnion and fit a lock nut to it, This allows one to adjust the individual arms separately....See http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/pi ... :.....Your questions as to what is different between the post 2002 plate is also of interest to me.....I note the Parts lists show the same part number for both ages of brake plate....but then again the newer part might have kept the old part number?

Hello PHIL --------- if you look at the times that LES H & myself posted our respective replies you will see that this is just a case of the both of us having thoughts along similar lines at the same time. Any chance you could post a couple of photos for a more closer look ?? Your description doesn't sound right to me. The idea of the Hitchcock mod. is to allow either of the two brake arms to be moved SEPARATELY such that each relevant brake-shoe can be adjusted to the drum separately----- something the original set-up couldn't do.

Alan R, Les H -
Come on , guys, I thought the improved front brake geometry was common knowledge.
See our host's current Bullet catalogue page 154 : "Improved front brake plate part #144705".
It would appear that the new cam part no. is 145754/A, old type 142855 - you will need to check this for yourself.
Can't say what the difference between the two is as I have only the new type.

Hi Alan...yes I've noticed that, I think it helps if people are not put off replying by a similar previous reply as a stong consensus gives confidence to the questioner. However I had on this occassion included the same Tech Link by mistake as I had read your post earlier, came back some time later and stuck my post on forgetting you had done the same thing...keep up the good work Alan...ATB.

Alan R, Les H -
Come on , guys, I thought the improved front brake geometry was common knowledge.
See our host's current Bullet catalogue page 154 : "Improved front brake plate part #144705".
It would appear that the new cam part no. is 145754/A, old type 142855 - you will need to check this for yourself.
Can't say what the difference between the two is as I have only the new type.

It seems things are getting stirred up in the ether........
Maybe someone can explain why I respond just ONCE and it produces TWO postings ?

Hi John. Just to say I was and am aware that there is another front 2LS brake plate available but just wondered what the difference is... that's all....and you say that you don't either so I don't understand the "gee up" to Alan and myself.

Trouble with me is that I'm COMMON but without much KNOWLEDGE as 'er indoors will testify to.(add "smiley" but don't know how to ). My last bike--the 65--- I did the mod to then later changed to the disc set-up. That was sold then, 3 years later ie last October I returned to the fold with a 2005 Classic 500 with the disc mod done. THEN--with the Bullet Bug full bitten I bought ANOTHER Classic 500 (1998)last month which still has the 7", 2L/S brakes. As a direct result of this good old forum I best go and check what the state of play is re}-- the mod. Thanks chaps. Be seeing you -----------