Hitchcocks Forum

On the hosts tech. info it recommends drilling out the top trunion so you can independently adjust the brake shoes.Is it worth while or should I stick with the current set up.

I guess it depends on who's opinion you want to accept - someone says Yes - like our hosts [who you would think know what there're talking about]; someone else will say No. up to you.

Hi Matey !!---------DO IT !!------Just follow the instructions and all will be ok, and if you are not happy then a new trunnion isn't going to break your wallet and you can have it back to original specs....Simples !!........I did on 3 of my previous bikes but then upgraded to disc with the current one and its' predecessor as I'm not concerned about "Originality of looks" but DO care to have a modern brake in a modern road scenario...

I did it and my bike stops better. I could replace the trunnion, but why mess with success?

Thanks guys that's all I need to know.First job to do
this year.

Thanks guys that's all I need to know.First job to do
this year.

Randomly adjusting the Linked brake levers is the worst possible method of adjustment! The method of adjustment as advocated by our Host is highly erroneous, and was written by some well intended but complete misguided individual who had little comprehension of mechanical drum brakes.


Any mechanical 2LS front brake with its levers set at anything other than a true parallelogram will suffer with inferior and rapidly diminishing brakes, and will have a need for constant readjustment. All four sides of the levers MUST be set with matched lengths and distance between pivot centers for the brake to function correctly.


Leverage: The moment the angles diverge from each other, efficiency drops like a lead balloon; One shoe will wear faster, the other will rapidly glaze.


If you search the old messages you will find this topic discussed many times...




If you want to contact me off list I can email you a word doc explaining how to set the adjustable link rod so that both shoes have identical leverage, and make simultaneous contact with the drum. Once fully bedded-in the RE 2Ls brake is capable of Stoppies.


royalenfield AT clear DOT net DOT nz

Ref`Tim`s advice. As they used to say at the Coliseum, `verbum sapienti satis et`

Jamesy -
My experiences with this type of brake suggest that you follow the advice from TimNZ - stick with the standard layout and take the trouble necessary to get it working correctly.

"Verbum sapienti satis EST" stay behind and do 100 lines Leon! (Just a word to the wise, after all.)

REgards, Mark