Front drum brake

[RagMan]

Is there any way of making the front drum brake any better - it is vaguely alarming having the bike take forever to stop.  How best does one adjust the thing to grab the drum harder..

[Robb]

You REALLY don't want it to grab any harder.  Drums have a nasty habit of locking up under super aggressive breaking.  The best way is probably to adjust them until you feel comfortable hauling really hard on the binders, or going to a different shoe compound, but the selection is rather limited.  I know that's a bit vague. but seriously, you don't want them to lock up.  Also, try getting used to using both brakes to stop.  It's somewhat counter-intuitive, but learning to use them both significantly improves stopping.

[RagMan]

I have no problem using both brakes - I ride an ural most of the time, so both brakes is natural to me - Still have way too long a way to go, to get stopped.  I am thinking now of the Disk brake for sale by our hosts.  I may purchase the thing, just to feel happier stopping.

[Leonard]

Is there any way of making the front drum brake any better - it is vaguely alarming having the bike take forever to stop.  How best does one adjust the thing to grab the drum harder..

Hitchcoks has a good front brake article under their "tech notes", and of course Snidal's manual tells you how also.  Once you get the brake adjusted properly it works pretty well.

Leonard

[dewjantim]

Have a maching shop make you an "extended" brake actuation arm. Take your old arm off and ask the maching shop to make you one about 1 inch longer. Install the longer arm and you will have more powerful brakes due to increased leverage. Just remember at first not to squeeze to hard or they might lock up. This is an old racers trick. Dew.

[deejay]

Is there any way of making the front drum brake any better - it is vaguely alarming having the bike take forever to stop.  How best does one adjust the thing to grab the drum harder..

When my bike was brand new, the front brake was so strong it actually competed with the disk brake on my old 2005 Bonneville. My dealer says he adjusts all brakes this way before they leave his shop. Over the past few months they have become a bit weaker, so I will be adjusting them too. Remember these are twin leading shoes on the front, as far as drum brake technology, they are the best. Sounds to me like you need to adjust them.

cheers

[DaveG297]

My front brake was all but useless until both shoes were adjusted to make contact the same time.  Since then they do alright but I'm not doing any stoppies.    I removed the front wheel and then the brake unit, which is fun to do if you don't have the proper size socket and an air wrench.   Once off, it was easy to see and feel the adjustment balance out between the two shoes.   Yes you do need good brakes and the front is most important even on a putt putt bike.          dg

[RagMan]

I will try the longer arm - and I have just got me a copy of Pete Snidal's manual, so adjusting them will now be more effective. I may still get me a disc brake for it though.

[RagMan]

I wimped out.. just ordered the Disc Brake, as consolation to not being able to have the electric start.

[deejay]

I wimped out.. just ordered the Disc Brake, as consolation to not being able to have the electric start.

I wish mine DIDN"T have the E-start... trade primary cases?

[RagMan]

In a heart beat, if it would fit. I was told they don't interchange.  Why on earth would any one want the opportunity of stalling at a left hand turn, with traffic going nuts around you, and the bike saying "no way.. I want a rest" That is what the kick start is all about. I would happily kill for a button to press.

[deejay]

In a heart beat, if it would fit. I was told they don't interchange.  Why on earth would any one want the opportunity of stalling at a left hand turn, with traffic going nuts around you, and the bike saying "no way.. I want a rest" That is what the kick start is all about. I would happily kill for a button to press.

I know someone over at the yahoo boards that successfully converted his E-start to a KS. He posted his instructions too. Not sure if you could convert the KS to the E though. Would be a good thing to look into. I'm serious about the trade, it would make a nice winter project for me.

[deejay]

nevermind, i just realized i would need a 5-speed inner primary case.

[RagMan]

Shame.. I will just have to hope for one suddenly arriving from India, with my name on it..  Nothing wrong with hoping is there??

[deejay]

You could always get this... although it's expensive...

http://www.royalenfieldusa.com/electric-start-conversion-reduced-convert-your-bullet-p-6942.html