Im building a BMX/motorcycle. Top speed will be around 55. I would like better brakes than what was on the bike, at least in the front. Anybody have any experience with Sturmey-Archer drum brakes. I have 18 inch wheels and they are normally used on road bikes so..... they SHOULD work even better on small wheels...... I wish i could post a pic here you guys would get a kick out of it.
Drum brake question
- Thread starter mojomoto
- Start date
Traditional wisdom is that disc brakes work the best... (That's why almost every modern vehicle has them). 
Drum breaks work good but they have a spongie feeling if you ask me. If your looking for better breaking then you'll want to run disc up front, if you can pull it off then in the rear as well.
Mistake- brainfart...20" wheels not 18"!
I bought a Sturmey Archer 90mm drum for the front (giving it a try. Might work good on smaller wheels.), some new 2" wide triple wall rims and 2.25 wide tires.
Thinking of 12 gauge ss spokes. Or? 11? 10?
Have to remake a rear hub for 36 spokes and the rear sprocket mount and axle since I wont be running a 50cc motor (test motor) and will need a stronger chain. Keeping the rear caliper brake until i find something better. I hardly ever use my rear brake on my motorcycles except at parking lot speeds. (sprocket brake? sprotor.)
Keep the ideas going. Thanks guys.
I bought a Sturmey Archer 90mm drum for the front (giving it a try. Might work good on smaller wheels.), some new 2" wide triple wall rims and 2.25 wide tires.
Thinking of 12 gauge ss spokes. Or? 11? 10?
Have to remake a rear hub for 36 spokes and the rear sprocket mount and axle since I wont be running a 50cc motor (test motor) and will need a stronger chain. Keeping the rear caliper brake until i find something better. I hardly ever use my rear brake on my motorcycles except at parking lot speeds. (sprocket brake? sprotor.)
Keep the ideas going. Thanks guys.
s/a drum brakes are perfect.works about as good as a shimano coaster brake maybe a little better.not to be confused with those cruddy rear wheel scooter brakes some people put on bike wheels.Of course a good set of v brakes will work as good as anything and a lot easier to maintain and less expensive.A rear caliper brake will work as good as the pads/rim combo will let it.
Last edited:
I'm going to use Puch moped hubs with their drum brakes on my Worksman BTR build. I got a set of NOS really cheap.
They're strong, and have good bearings, and they were designed to stop more weight at a motorized speed. Plus the brake pads are a good size, and easy to find.
The drum brake/hubs will go better with the old school look of the planned build too.
They're strong, and have good bearings, and they were designed to stop more weight at a motorized speed. Plus the brake pads are a good size, and easy to find.
The drum brake/hubs will go better with the old school look of the planned build too.
They are just cheap Walmart bike spokes. There will be 11 gauge spokes in the coming rebuild.
Excellent idea. I looked all over for a spoked moped brake hub supplier...... I had no luck. I think the Archer hub will work. I can always change it if it doesnt.
I have 90mm sturmey archer in the front and rear.....stops my 4stroke schwinn very fast while retaining old school look.....rear hub also has internal 3 speed......
Last edited:
Welcome to the forum, Mrfixxit!
I have a Sturmey 70mm set on my bike, genny hub on front and 3-speed in rear. It took some time for my brakes to "bed in", but they stop fairly well now.
Wish I had bought the 90mm set instead, but I would have needed new spokes, too.
I think the 90mm will work fine for the OP.
I have a Sturmey 70mm set on my bike, genny hub on front and 3-speed in rear. It took some time for my brakes to "bed in", but they stop fairly well now.
Wish I had bought the 90mm set instead, but I would have needed new spokes, too.
I think the 90mm will work fine for the OP.
I seen nice hubs at 1977mopeds for arond 33-40 bucks, if it worked i'd go that route (no rag joint or sprocket adaptor
So who has used a rear moped hub and sprocket without difficulty.
- how does it fit the chainstays?
- how is chain allighnment?
- What to do about spoke length (26" wheel)?
- What type chain do the moped use/same as china girl?
Ie-mailed them re- these questions
I forgot to ask chain size ....doh!!
So who has used a rear moped hub and sprocket without difficulty.
- how does it fit the chainstays?
- how is chain allighnment?
- What to do about spoke length (26" wheel)?
- What type chain do the moped use/same as china girl?
Ie-mailed them re- these questions
I forgot to ask chain size ....doh!!
There are no spokes. Pressed half rim. Two sides. A left and right that unbolt from each other to change the tire.
Pit bikes have motorcycle sized spokes because fat drunk people seem to gravitate to them and beat on them. They are unbelievably strong.
Im neither fat nor drunk...
