1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
Forum rules
Please do not start new topics here, but here: New Panhead and Flathead topics
Please do not start new topics here, but here: New Panhead and Flathead topics
-
- Junior Member
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 4:44 pm
- Bikes: 2008 FLSTN
2009 FLSTN
1999 FL w/ sidecar
1956 FL
1960 FL
2007 Ultima Chopper
2002 Yamaha V-Star - Location: Kinsale, Va.
1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
Gents.
We are getting closer on the 56, this is to be a rider.
Thus the need to STOP is of great importance.
Believe we have a solution, without destroying the looks of the period.
Solution, Use Juice rear brakes and modify the backing plate.
We removed the orig backing plate A shaped plate by drilling out the rivets.
Then fabricated a new A shaped plate that has more distance between the axle and the backing plate lock bolt.
This allows it to fit the stock H-D Frame axle plates on the old mechanical style brake frames.
See Pics
Hope this helps others with same concern.
See attached
We are getting closer on the 56, this is to be a rider.
Thus the need to STOP is of great importance.
Believe we have a solution, without destroying the looks of the period.
Solution, Use Juice rear brakes and modify the backing plate.
We removed the orig backing plate A shaped plate by drilling out the rivets.
Then fabricated a new A shaped plate that has more distance between the axle and the backing plate lock bolt.
This allows it to fit the stock H-D Frame axle plates on the old mechanical style brake frames.
See Pics
Hope this helps others with same concern.
See attached
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 6937
- Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2002 2:30 am
- Bikes: -
- Location: Central Illinois
- Has thanked: 112 times
- Been thanked: 310 times
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
MMP-USA LLC!
You seriously think a hydraulic drum stops quicker than a mechanical drum?
Really?
....Cotten
You seriously think a hydraulic drum stops quicker than a mechanical drum?
Really?
....Cotten
-
- Member
- Posts: 210
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:34 pm
- Bikes: 1936 VLH, 1936 VD, 1956 FLH, 1956 KHK,
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 39 times
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 826
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:33 pm
- Bikes: 1952 FL
2020 Honda Super Cub - Location: Estero Florida
- Has thanked: 49 times
- Been thanked: 57 times
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
1952 FL front and rear mechanical brakes set up correctly stop just fine. No complaints.
Jim
Jim
-
- Inactive member
- Member
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:27 am
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
Wow! The 'Correctors' sure can pile on! The last time I checked the reason there is more than one motorcycle is so you can do what you want with yours. The scooter looks good - ride safe.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2096
- Joined: Fri May 24, 2002 1:00 am
- Bikes: 64FL 99FLHR 01FXSTD
- Location: Mpls. MN.
- Has thanked: 71 times
- Been thanked: 148 times
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
I have no problem locking up the rear brake on my 51, and that was all I had on my 49 till I made a disk work on the early springer...Mike
-
- Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:35 pm
- Bikes: American
- Location: Florida
- Been thanked: 8 times
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
My first Machine Shop job was at a now gone place called Florida Brake and Clutch, where I learned how to PROPERLY set up brakes of all kinds. If your mechanical brake were to be set up Properly. With Proper Drum machining AND Proper shoe fitting (Cam Grinding), AND Proper Lining Material, the Stock brake will work PROPERLY!!
-
- Moderator
- Senior Member
- Posts: 8406
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
- Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
- Has thanked: 481 times
- Been thanked: 2955 times
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
Absolutely true and great advice. And remember, as soon as your wheel locks up, you have no brakes. Also, 70% of all MC braking comes from the front wheel, the reason why modern bikes put so much brake up front and why tire contact patch is so important!My first Machine Shop job was at a now gone place called Florida Brake and Clutch, where I learned how to PROPERLY set up brakes of all kinds. If your mechanical brake were to be set up Properly. With Proper Drum machining AND Proper shoe fitting (Cam Grinding), AND Proper Lining Material, the Stock brake will work PROPERLY!!
Robbie
-
- Member
- Posts: 210
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:34 pm
- Bikes: 1936 VLH, 1936 VD, 1956 FLH, 1956 KHK,
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 39 times
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
No correcting here. My only intent was to remind that is not necessary to have "juice" for a good performing rear brake.Ripley/Fla wrote:Wow! The 'Correctors' sure can pile on! The last time I checked the reason there is more than one motorcycle is so you can do what you want with yours. The scooter looks good - ride safe.
-
- Moderator
- Senior Member
- Posts: 3713
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2003 11:38 pm
- Bikes: '42 WLA X 2, '55FL, '93 Ultra Classic, '91 Fatboy, '97 883, '03 Rokon Trailbreaker, '83 GPz 750.
- Has thanked: 71 times
- Been thanked: 128 times
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
exactly! i had to make my '55's rear brake work less well! then i learned about beveling the leading edges to prevent the brake shoes from self application!indianut wrote:My first Machine Shop job was at a now gone place called Florida Brake and Clutch, where I learned how to PROPERLY set up brakes of all kinds. If your mechanical brake were to be set up Properly. With Proper Drum machining AND Proper shoe fitting (Cam Grinding), AND Proper Lining Material, the Stock brake will work PROPERLY!!
john
-
- Former member
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2789
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:10 pm
- Bikes: 1941/59 EL
1952 FL
1977 FLH
1994 Fatboy - Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 110 times
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
I had a couple sets of OEM brake shoes relined a couple years ago at a clutch & brake shop. The choices for brake lining are many..! Softer material wears out faster but stops much better. So what if you have to change brake shoes a bit more frequently? This shop also arcs the shoes to the drum so they have a perfectly matching radius. I love my old mechanical brakes, I can 'feel' exactly how much of my foot is reaching the asphalt--- if that makes any sense...........
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 6937
- Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2002 2:30 am
- Bikes: -
- Location: Central Illinois
- Has thanked: 112 times
- Been thanked: 310 times
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
MMP-USA LLC!
I think we all agree with you that brakes are of great importance, and they should be all that we can make of them.
Have you considered an anti-lock braking system to adapt?
...Cotten
I think we all agree with you that brakes are of great importance, and they should be all that we can make of them.
Have you considered an anti-lock braking system to adapt?
...Cotten
-
- Member
- Posts: 325
- Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 5:13 pm
- Bikes: 1941wla,1946el,1947fl,1950fl,1959flh,1972flh,4 twinkies,1 evo
- Location: oregon
- Has thanked: 4 times
- Been thanked: 12 times
Re: 1956 FLH Quest for better brakes
just my 2 cents, the cast drum is better than the stamp steel drum,pulling a trailer on my 50 for years,you get 3 good brake attempts,than anti skid engages,then I'd machined a cast drum to fit a mechanical brake, worked well. had to modified the shoe and the drum a bit.but it works better than my 72 rear brake. just my 2 cents.........with respect.JR