Suggestions for front brakes

derekian72 · Nov 13, 2010

Any ideas for a front brake system that won't involve switching out my stock fork & fenders, or my front wheel?

I could have sworn I've seen brakes that are wide and wrap around the front fender.

I feel a bit macho saying this, but after a close call today I need some more stopping power other than my foot brake & sneakers...

scotto- · Nov 14, 2010

Maybe something like this:

URL=http://img163.imageshack.us/i/img1056z.jpg/]

[/URL]

Just a suggestion

derekian72 · Nov 14, 2010

Thanks Scotto, I never thought of mounting from the fork legs as opposed to the pre drilled hole in the center of the fork that now houses my headlight.

Helpful photos, thank you!

Venice Motor Bikes · Nov 14, 2010

How about a simple caliper brake?? New Bicycle Parts Bike Brake Caliper Handle Cable Set - eBay (item 290497783348 end time Dec-08-10 01:16:07 PST)

saetta · Nov 14, 2010

I agree with scotto's idea. I purchased the same adapter and mounted it on the rear of my cruiser. Works good.

Three-Wire · Nov 14, 2010

I think scotto- has the best option as far as braking power, but you'll have to get V-brake set and this adapter plate from Dan's Comp. See scotto-'s thread for more details: http://motorbicycling.com/f53/v-brake-added-rear-24897.html

Or, you can get a set of side-pull caliper brakes and have caliper brakes on both front and rear wheels. I have this setup on my Nel Lusso and it's great. Just ordered parts to put the same setup on my wife's work-in-progress Monark.

The calipers are about 1/3 the price of the v-brakes and adapters, but the v-brakes will be more effective.

If you chose to do both front and rear brakes with either either style, I highly recommend a dual-pull brake handle so you can actuate both brakes with one hand. My setup is one hand for throttle and brakes, one hand for clutch...

I'd put rim brakes on both wheels and leave the coaster too - your Indian build is way too pretty to wreck over poor brakes!

derekian72 · Nov 14, 2010

Thanks so much guys, this is all very helpful

scotto- · Nov 14, 2010

Venice Motor Bikes said:
How about a simple caliper brake?? New Bicycle Parts Bike Brake Caliper Handle Cable Set - eBay (item 290497783348 end time Dec-08-10 01:16:07 PST)

C'mon Norm, as we know....."Good parts aren't cheap and cheap parts aren't good!" But they will do the trick

You know I'm j/k laff

But to be honest....good brakes are good and bad brakes are dangerous.....just make sure whatever brakes you use, give you adequate stopping power......bottom line.

Venice Motor Bikes · Nov 15, 2010

scotto- said:
C'mon Norm, as we know....."Good parts aren't cheap and cheap parts aren't good!" But they will do the trick You know I'm j/k .

I know... but his very first line asks - "Any ideas for a front brake system that won't involve switching out my stock fork & fenders, or my front wheel?"
So that didn't leave much else!

You know I'm all about the disc brakes!

scotto- · Nov 15, 2010

Venice Motor Bikes said:
I know... but his very first line asks - "Any ideas for a front brake system that won't involve switching out my stock fork & fenders, or my front wheel?"
So that didn't leave much else!
You know I'm all about the disc brakes!

You know I know.....I just couldn't resist

Fossil · Nov 16, 2010

You may get even more ideas if this thread was moved to the Wheels Brakes and Suspension forum. More people may see it there. Just a thought....

Jim

BarelyAWake · Nov 23, 2010

Fossil said:
You may get even more ideas if this thread was moved to the Wheels Brakes and Suspension forum. More people may see it there. Just a thought....

Jim

Agreed & done, please feel free to PM if ya disagree or ever wish a thread moved

derekian72 · Nov 24, 2010

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I went with a 60's Schwinn / Weinmann setup. I used Nickel plated hardware to gain some extra arm reach and the NOS Weinmann gray cable to complete the vintage look.

total cost: about $30

timboellner · Nov 24, 2010

Derekian
How does that possibly work?
To me that method of extending the brake arms just doesn't look right.
How can you transfer the energy to the brake shoes with that crazy offset in there?
You are gonna bend that contraption and twist those brake shoes right into the rim and flip yourself over the bars.
Maybe I'm the eternal pessimist but I've been a mechanic forever and know something dangerous when I see it....... I see it.
You might reconsider that set up
I hope I'm wrong..
TIM

corgi1 · Nov 24, 2010

I like the first pic of the silver adapter ,Question,would the adapter resist flexting more if it was mounted behind the fork so that the fork suported it when applying the brakes?

derekian72 · Nov 24, 2010

I do appreciate your concern Tim, it seems my contraption works just fine though. I actually just got back from a nice ride across town. Sorry to disappoint, but no flipping over the handle bars.

I wasn't aware that Nickel plated steel was an inferior material??

I build bikes to ride & enjoy, not to pass your mechanics code.

scotto- · Nov 25, 2010

corgi1 said:
I like the first pic of the silver adapter ,Question,would the adapter resist flexting more if it was mounted behind the fork so that the fork suported it when applying the brakes?

You can put it on either side of your forks, seatstays or chainstays.....it's 3/16" steel and it really doesn't flex. On the rear I've got it mounted on top of the chainstay which would be the same effect as on the backside of the forks.

Venice Motor Bikes · Nov 25, 2010

I'm sure they make larger brakes that will reach the wheel without those extensions. Go to a local bike shop & ask them what they have.

stuffandstuff · Jan 1, 2011

all I got to say, is nice bike man, where did you get the seat and tank?

derekian72 · Jan 5, 2011

Thanks stuff - got the tank from ebay, it's a 70's Indian MX tank. Search "Indian gas tank" and some are sure to be on there. This one is a full size, not the smaller mini-bike tank.

The seat is from triple7 bikes in Monrovia, ca.

Hope this helps!

Suggestions for front brakes

Member

Attachments

Custom 4-Stroke Bike Builder

Member

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles

New Member

New Member

Member

Custom 4-Stroke Bike Builder

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles

Custom 4-Stroke Bike Builder

New Member

New Member

Member

Attachments

Member

New Member

Member

Custom 4-Stroke Bike Builder

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles

New Member

Member