Problem here... you guys see anything wrong with my brakes?

Neck

Neck

Growing up is optional
#21
#21
Maybe it just needs to be seated in, ride it with the brake applied and see if it starts to get more drag. What you have should be plenty of surface area.
 
mardyn

mardyn

Member
#22
#22
Well, it's really difficult to get an accurate measurement with it on the bike, but maybe 4-3/16" diameter for the drum...

I think the next order of business is to try a larger brake band... just looking at my invoice from OldMiniBikes and this is a AZ2251 4" brake band.

Maybe try a 4.5" band?

What do y'all think?

mardyn
 
B

Bill Ellerby

New Member
#25
#25
I use brake levers off bicycles and never had a problem with leverage. But from your photos the band is to small for the drum. You will need a slightly larger band. The stopping force comes from the drum tighting the band by gripping it not just from the leverage of the brake lever. Even my trike I use a bicycle lever and no problem stopping.
 
S

shayneyasinski

Member
#26
#26
Neck said:
Maybe it just needs to be seated in, ride it with the brake applied and see if it starts to get more drag. What you have should be plenty of surface area.
Click to expand...
What he said.

I am 300lbs and this same setup will lock up the rear wheel with 2 fingers for me so I would think it is just glazed or needs to be broken in??
 
Harleys Papa

Harleys Papa

#27
#27
mardyn said:
Well, it's really difficult to get an accurate measurement with it on the bike, but maybe 4-3/16" diameter for the drum...

I think the next order of business is to try a larger brake band... just looking at my invoice from OldMiniBikes and this is a AZ2251 4" brake band.

Maybe try a 4.5" band?

What do y'all think?

mardyn
Click to expand...
derekbmn said:
Here is the 4-3/16" band for a Manco drum. 4-3/16" Brake band with bracket - Manco Part #1036
Click to expand...
I'm thinkin the extra 3/16 will be just right :thumbsup:
 
R

RobK

New Member
#29
#29
Has this worked before, or is this a new setup? I had a similar band on a go cart. It looks like you have the cable threaded through both ends of the band, and when you pull the lever it "pinches" the two ends closer together. Is that what you have? If so, I don't think that's correct. On the go kart, the end of the band that's closest to the front is attached to a fixed pin that's part of the frame. The rod in this case (rather than a cable) pulls the back end of the band toward the fixed forward end. This causes the rotating motion of the drum to want to wrap the band even tighter. I think if you secure the forward end of the band and mount the cable to another point on the frame it will work better. Look at the diagram on this page.

Band Brakes for Go Karts and Mini Bikes
 
mardyn

mardyn

Member
#30
#30
Yes, front side of the band is anchored to the frame... the cable runs through a hole in the anchor bolt to the cable anchor on the back side of the band.

mardyn
 
danc9

danc9

New Member
#31
#31
Bill Ellerby said:
I use brake levers off bicycles and never had a problem with leverage. But from your photos the band is to small for the drum. You will need a slightly larger band. The stopping force comes from the drum tighting the band by gripping it not just from the leverage of the brake lever. Even my trike I use a bicycle lever and no problem stopping.
Click to expand...
I've also rigged a bicycle brake lever with no loss of leverage. Proper size band and proper adjustment should do the trick!


DAN
 
mardyn

mardyn

Member
#32
#32
Date today: 02-14-2011

Okay, here's the update:

Changed to a slightly larger band, removed the return spring and buttoned it all back up.

Brakes now work much better, but still requires a lot of pressure on the lever to stop quickly.

Also, now I'm getting some squeal once the band/drum is heated up. I'm hoping the squeal will subside once it gets worn in some...

Still fine tuning the set up...
mardyn
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top