Coaster brake danger!

Venice Motor Bikes · #1 04-14-2008, 11:31 AM

Has anyone else had trouble with the rear coaster brakes on their bikes?
Bean Oil (Chris) & I both had our rear brakes lock-up on our saturday ride at the beach...
His rear wheel skidded to a stop, & my pedals locked and started turning & threw me a little into the air!, I landed on my butt on the seat and started dragging my feet like Fred Flintstone to stop!!!
We are both currently buying new rear wheels, & I am having a front wheel built with a old drum brake in it.
(I think a drum is the best way to go with a springer fork.)

If anyone has a bike with a rear coaster brake, I would advise that you have a front brake too!!

Any thoughts?

deacon · #2 04-14-2008, 12:30 PM

I have both because I broke a chain once.. Never had them lock down and two at the same time would be vegas jackpot odds... go figure... glad no one was hurt.

Bean Oil · #3 04-14-2008, 02:06 PM

I was surprised to hear about Norm's failure... I was on a different route home that afternoon.

My brake's issue was more of the same that I've had before (cheap HI STOP junk's brake shoes gouging the iron drum inside the hub) so I bought a Japanese-made Shimano coaster brake rear wheel.

Now all I need is the proper-sized rag joint; I misplaced my original rag joint then ordered another which wound up being a much larger bolt circle and basically unusable without mucho modification.

deacon · #4 04-14-2008, 02:47 PM

rag joint?

**Bikeguy Joe** · #5 04-14-2008, 05:58 PM

Fiber rubber thingy.

ran49 · #6 04-14-2008, 06:32 PM

Right now I'm relying solely on my coaster brake.Looking to put a drum brake hub on the front wheel.I did score a nice coaster hub from a guy on a bike forumKogswell Cycles but to avoid downtime with the weather just getting nice, I think That might be a good project for next winter.Ron

Easy Rider · #7 04-14-2008, 10:36 PM

My bike only has a coaster brake. I've had many close calls that's why I'm installing a front disc brake. My latest was on our Santa Cruz ride. We were flying at full throttle for a 1/2 mile and when I decided to let off the throttle, my throttle stuck at full throttle. Then was I was trying to slow the motor down by braking. My coaster brake arm's bracket snapped and the pedal almost kicked me off the bike. I evenually got the bike under control and haven't rode it since.
But I am in the works of upgrading my braking system!

**Norman** · #8 04-14-2008, 10:56 PM

That will make the old Pooper pucker!!!!!

Easy Rider · #9 04-15-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman

That will make the old Pooper pucker!!!!!

Actually I sharded!

D.J. · #10 04-16-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bean Oil

Now all I need is the proper-sized rag joint; I misplaced my original rag joint then ordered another which wound up being a much larger bolt circle and basically unusable without mucho modification.

For my "rag joint" I used the soles from an old pair of slippers . The material is much thicker than that supplied with the kit . You can put the holes anywhere you want . An other choice is industrial floor mats used to relief foot fatigue . One small mat will provide enough material for several kits . .... D.J.