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[OilyFingers]

Thanks again, top class information. What do you mean by the pivot mounts Vince?

[vince]

Hi again, the brake cam spindle passes through a pivot block which is bolted to the backplate by two bolts. These bolts should be slightly loose, just enough that the block can move in the direction of wheel rotation and allow the brake shoes to centralise. On the back brake the block once adjusted needs to be locked solid. Vince

[OilyFingers]

Thanks I will try that and report back.

[OilyFingers]

OK I have had a bit of time in the workshop. I took off the front wheel and the brake plates. The pivot mounts could not be moved by hand so I too them off and cleaned 50 yrs of grot and rust off them and re-installed.
I re-read the manual which says they should be "moveable by hand but not loose enough to move with road shocks" hmmmmm...
They now move freely enough I think, see the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA53QYAquWs

Let me know if that seems about right or not.

I took a test ride round the block, the brakes are now about as good as they will get, still not great though.
I also moved the brake arms round to give me as much effective pull as I can.
Thanks for the help.
Adam.

[vince]

Hi again, as long as you can move them with you finger that should be sufficient, bear in mind that the force of the brake applying with centralise them. Don't forget that the cables need to be adjusted so the come on together and the lever angles need to be the same. Vince.

[jefrs]

Vince (& Oily), the rear brake pivot should not be completely locked in position but set to slide under full force of your foot to centralise the shoes and then it will work like a very different animal. If locked tight it won't keep centralised but if set to slide with just finger force the shoes will move about and never stay in the right place. Setting the screws and lock nuts just-so can be a right pain, basically just nipped up. Doing the front pivots is similar, they have to slide to centralise the shoes but then must not slip about as the wheel bounces on the road; try doing them up until you just can't shift then by hand force alone but will move using a lever.

[OilyFingers]

Took a ride at the weekend a round trip of about 120 miles.
The front brake now works quite well. A definite improvement.
I think it is a combination of
1. A few hundred miles of bedding in of the modern brakes shoes
2. Adjustment of the pivot mounts.
3. I have simply got used to it!

Thanks again for the help.
Adam.

[Mark M]

Adam, it was good to see you at Stony Stratford Classic Day on Sunday. Shame you couldn't bring the bike but your friend's back needed the pampering of 4 wheels. Are you doing the Interceptor Rally at all? Even just as a visitor? It would be nice to see another early Inter, make a change from all the spotless Mk2s and Rickmans... Ed Lazda (of this site) who has recently acquired an original and unrestored Meteor Minor are talking about having an Unrestored Section!

REgards, Mark