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[jawa-enfield]

Hi,

The double front brake (bullet 500 1994) has Always been a struggle..

Once set, you have to re adjust it often because both keys are unequal in size and shape.

I reduced the with of them in a turning maschine so the have more force on the brake shoes.. works but not enough..


Having the best padding material mounted for non- hydraulic brakes and well adjusted, it should brake better.

so i decided to grind a 45 degree angle from each lever, to give even more torque to the braking pads, but now the brake won't come back after i squeeze the braking lever..so i ruined them..

So..

i think i need a new pair of them.. would the post- 2002 fit/be better?
Best regards from rainy & windy Holland

Arnaud samshuijzen.

[Les H]

Hi Arnaud...Mr H sells an improved brake plate assembly Part number: 144705 (Page 158 in catalogue) this is described as having better geometry ...it is complete with brake shoes....how better it works is unknown by me so I would also like to know and would be interested in it if was better....Strangely enough though, I have checked the parts diagrams and all the front 2LS plates fitted to machines from 1996- 2004 have the same (presumably) the old plate; part number 145735... so NO change to a newer version in 2002 as the write up in the catalogue suggests....Les

[Les H]

Another modification you might be able to try (you will need 2x new cams and levers as you seem to have ruined the originals from what you say here) You will also need another long brake operating lever part number 142856 to fit on the top to replace the short lever. The linking rod is removed and then with some minor work you could try to connect the cable to operate the two levers in an opposite rotation by having the outer of the brake cable mounted in the top lever and the inner wire on the bottom lever so when you apply the brake the two operating levers are pulled together...this was tried by Triumph Motorcycles....The advantage is that they are self adjusting and create a perfect balanced pressure on both shoes....Furthermore, the mechanical advantage is doubled I think, similar to having smaller cam profiles. Obviously lever movement is similarly increased so you might need levers with a fulcrum distance ( handlebar to pivot distance)...You might want to try this?....can't promise it will definitely be better. As said by me earlier on this thread ideally you need the fulcrum pins in the brake plate slightly nearer the centre to increase the outward brake shoe swing outwards to improve the self servo action....Les

[Les H]

Correction for above post: Obviously handlebar brake lever movement is similarly increased so you might need levers with a wider fulcrum distance (eg: greater handlebar to pivot distance)....Les

[ric]

jawa-enfield, are your brake cams not double ended?
If you have ground only one end at 45 degrees there would still be another end left.

[ric]

[papasmurf]

Just a thought have you checked if both brake cams are the same thickness and the shafts are central?
A bit obscure I know but if they aren't the same it will make a difference.