1956 FLH Quest for better brakes

[MMP-USA LLC]

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

[Cotten]

MMP-USA LLC!

You seriously think a hydraulic drum stops quicker than a mechanical drum?

Really?

....Cotten

[DaveSwanson]

My mechanical 56 rear is a better stopper than my 69 juice.

[james]

1952 FL front and rear mechanical brakes set up correctly stop just fine. No complaints.

Jim

[Ripley/Fla]

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.

[Panacea]

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

[indianut]

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!!

[RUBONE]

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!!

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!
Robbie

[DaveSwanson]

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.

No correcting here. My only intent was to remind that is not necessary to have "juice" for a good performing rear brake.

[john HD]

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!!

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!

john

[Bigincher]

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...........

[Cotten]

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

[JR JOHNSON]

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