Hitchcocks Forum

Out of interest I have a 1957 Bullet 350 which has been gradually restored over the last 10 years. It has the dual pull front brake which I believe only lasted a number of years. It is an excellent stopper (for the year) and I was wondering if any other motorcycles of about the same period of the mid to late 50s used a similar system as not seen such a configuration on other bikes. I am assuming it was discontinued by the accountants on the grounds that a single front brake was cheaper. My profession has a lot to answer for! Any information appreciated. Hugh

Not of the same period but still classic, fast forward to 1975 and the early 350 Moto Morini 3 1/2 (350) Sport with a double-sided 7" SLS brake. ISTRC from the road tests it was quite a good brake when discs were becoming much more fashionable. The Morini Strada on the other hand had a single-sided TLS front brake which also worked nicely.



A.

Hi, Vincent comes to mind.

Take a look at the exploded diagram of the Vincent front hub:

http://www.thevincent.com/vinbrake.htm

The 6 inch dual front brake on my 59 Bullet is excellent.

Vincent used a 'balance beam' arrangement which achieves equal force on a dual front hub by a different method. Scott on the other hand did use the twin pull 'whiffle tree compensator' (wonderful name, derived from a twin pull horse harness) at the handlebar although the front brake they used is not the same as Enfield's. The twin 6" brake was actually introduced in 1953 for the first Meteor and lasted until 1965 for Home Market Interceptors so I'd say 12 years is quite a long life! And a very good brake it is but probably not for modern use as it just doesn't have the same attack as a bigger drum.

REgards, Mark

My friend had a 1973 ish Ducati 250 which had a double sided front brake which seemed to be quite good. A lighter bike though!

Thanks one and all.

Hugh

Hi all... does any of you well informed guys know what front brake/wheel hub is seen on the RE twin in the front on the picture on the "Home Page" of our host? And what bike model? I'm playing around with the idea of building a front wheel for my Bullet with an even better drum brake than the 7" TLS I have now... regards Jacob

We have not yet mentioned the four leading shoe (double-sided twin leading shoe) Italian front drum brakes or the version fitted to the early model Suzuki GT750...



It is also possible to convert the RE double-sided 6" hub to 4LS operation!



A.

That bike is a 1969-70 Series 2 Interceptor. It was fitted as standard with Norton Roadholder forks. (Which in my opinion don't suit the Enfield frame.) For 1969 it had an 8" sls brake with the option of a tls, this became standard for 1970. It won't fit the Enfield forks although you can fit the Norton forks to any Bullet or Twin. Finding the fork parts to do it might be a problem though as they are the type fitted to the Norton/Matchless P15/N15 "desert sleds" and are very hard to come by.

REgards, Mark