Hitchcocks Forum

Hi can any one tell me if the Indian twin lead front brake will fit a Redditch front wheel and if not what would i have to do to make it fit the reason i am asking is i am getting fed up with the lack of braking from my 7" brake or is there anything i can do to improve it

Hi Andy, the Indian TLS brake can be made to fit the 7" Redditch drum, but can only be used with the leading axle fork legs and not the later Crusader type legs, due to the position and angle of the anchor slot. I think some machining of the inside face of the brakeplate may be necessary, or there will be a gap between the edge of the drum and back of the brakeplate and the wheel may not go between the forks comfortably unless this is attended to - I certainly remember having to do this with the one and only conversion I did a few years ago. That said, the SLS Redditch 7" brake on our 350 racer can lift the rear wheel and is good enough to slow it from 115 mph and win races, so they can be made to work very well! Regards, Paul.

Hi Paul thanks for the info so what do i need to do to make my brake that good i am using the leading able fork
Andy

Hi Andy

I had one fitted to my 59 Constellation due to the overall uselessness of the standard Dual 6" SLS...

I will also be fitting one to my 53 Meteor for the same reason ..Ooooh the sacrelidge..
The original will be shelved so that if any future owner wishes to kill themselves they can refit it!..

Its really straight forward.. And it works!

Tom

I don't understand why people have so much trouble making these old brakes work?. I have the twin 6" brakes on my 59 Super Meteor, and it is quite capable of locking the front wheel, it's just a matter of getting it right and to be blunt it is more difficult to setup a twin leader, OK it is probably a better brake? even when badly set up.

Hi Andy, we tried many different linings before our brake became as good as it is now. I have checked who we used last and it is 'Classic Brake Services' - they fitted oversize, almost black linings, which I was able to machine to exactly the same diameter / circumference as the drum by having them fitted on the brakeplate, with the brake arm pulled on a little [this bit is important] and locked while the whole plot was in the lathe. This results in total contact of the linings with the drum from the off when the brake is applied, with virtually no bedding in required, no sponginess and minimal free play at the lever being required. I also drilled three rows of approx 5mm diameter holes, radially through the drum, to give extra cooling and ventilation, but the rim has to come off to do that! Regards, Paul.

Hi Thanks for the replies i think i would like to fit the twin lead so Tom how much do i need to remove from the hub and does the brake plate need to be changed
Andy

I too use Classic Brake Services, sorted both Flash & Enfield brakes with a drum skim & oversize linings machined to drum. Took my wheels to his place as Whaley Bridge is not too far from me.

Thanks for all the information now all i have to is decide what to do

Hi Andy

I didn't machine it at all..

Just bolted it up and adjusted it.

Tom