Brake Lever Arm
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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
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Brake Lever Arm
I've been working on my 1950 FL project for almost a year now. I'm getting closer thanks for all your help. I know have a problem getting the brake lever linkage sorted out. My left side 42556-35 brake lever arm has a weld spot on it to basically looks and acts like a stop for the activation for the linkage. My weld spot hits the transmission frame and limits the throw of the linkage. I can't get it to align to get the proper throw I need. Photos of the RIGHT side (2) hole arm shows it at about the 7 o'clock position while resting. The weld spot stop keeps the left side arm from rotating back because it hits the bottom of the transmission base.
My question is has the weld spot on the left side arm suppose to be there? Or am I positioning it wrong?
My question is has the weld spot on the left side arm suppose to be there? Or am I positioning it wrong?
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Re: Brake Lever Arm
Sounds like you have it right.
With the arm on the left side bottomed out against the transmission base plate, adjust the actuating arm on the drum by threading the rod clevis in or out. I set it so I can hear the shoes drag, then back it off until they don't drag any more. (Be sure to center the shoes in the drum per the manual.)
Then adjust the linkage on the right side accordingly.
Here's a view of the linkage and pedal on the right side, lifted off a Factory Photo. It shows how everything should look when properly adjusted.
With the arm on the left side bottomed out against the transmission base plate, adjust the actuating arm on the drum by threading the rod clevis in or out. I set it so I can hear the shoes drag, then back it off until they don't drag any more. (Be sure to center the shoes in the drum per the manual.)
Then adjust the linkage on the right side accordingly.
Here's a view of the linkage and pedal on the right side, lifted off a Factory Photo. It shows how everything should look when properly adjusted.
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Re: Brake Lever Arm
The small spot weld on the left arm looks original. It wasn't broken just looks like it was an original stop.
Think I'm going to remove it and grind the spot of weld off to give me range of motion. Just wondering if it was me? I haven't found to many modifications from original.
Think I'm going to remove it and grind the spot of weld off to give me range of motion. Just wondering if it was me? I haven't found to many modifications from original.
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Re: Brake Lever Arm
Might've had a worn spot that a previous owner filled with weld. Buff it smooth, it'll look like new.
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Re: Brake Lever Arm
How are the holes in all of the brake parts? Elongated? What about the 90 degree bend in the brake rod on the clutch side? Something I did to my Pan was to cut off the worn 90 degree bend, thread the rod and then put a spherical rod end on with a shoulder bolt. Can't see it when the bike is assembled.
Over the years I've fixed a lot of brake pedals by making steel bushings for both the pivot stud and also the 1/4" hole on the pedal itself.
Get as much slack out of the entire brake system that you can!
-'lil stan
Over the years I've fixed a lot of brake pedals by making steel bushings for both the pivot stud and also the 1/4" hole on the pedal itself.
Get as much slack out of the entire brake system that you can!
-'lil stan
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Re: Brake Lever Arm
I feel pretty lucky that I haven't ran into any modified parts on my bike. It was disassembled around 35 years ago. I've owned it almost 33 and now that I've retired I'm putting it back together. The small welded spot on the left brake arm just looked original. I'm comftorable taking it off. I just didn't want to if it was suppose to be there. The square mounting hole and round pin holes look perfect. One thing I've learned even though I've worked on many bikes and machinery all my life is when it comes to rebuilding my first Harley I'm pretty humbled and confused at times putting this jig saw puzzle back together.
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Re: Brake Lever Arm
I'm guessing you need a picture of the left side brake arm ....I remember I had a problem with a 54 years back , I think I had it either backwards or upside down ...play with it , you will figure it out , don't modify any original parts , it was engineered to work !
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Re: Brake Lever Arm
I looked at replacement brake arms that are available and they don't appear to have the weld spot on them. I was just hoping to get a verification on weather it was suppose to be there or not. Like I was saying my project has surprised me as to how it appears to have had little modified on it.
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Re: Brake Lever Arm
A photo of your brake arm showing the weld spot would go a long way toward getting you a real answer here, I think.
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