Author Topic: Old skool Brakes - good or not? (Read 913 times)

The VW Doc · « **on:** June 03, 2011, 02:34 PM »

Having virtuallly finished my 2 bike builds (a DP Firebird Mk2 and a Mk1 Raleigh Burner) i took them for a little test ride yesterday.

I remember (20-25 years ago now) that I used to be able to lock the back wheel up of my bikes when riding, but now the brakes seem a little feeble.

I know I am now much heavier than I was, but they do seem quite poor. The Firebird has MX levers & brakes, the Burned has all original Weinmann brakes.

The brakes on both bikes are similar in performance - new brake blocks (both bikes have different types fitted) fitted fresh from the box with no sanding/roughing up the surface. Should i have done this? And all the wheels are alloy rims. No I haven't polished the rims.

Maybe I ought to meths wipe the rims (to de-grease them) in case they have got contaminated? Although to my finger, they dont feel greasy/oily

Or are they just generally not good compared to the brakes on newer bikes?

TELLIS302000 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:16 PM »

They are obviously not as good as todays standard of brakes.

Let them bed in a bit the re adjust them.

If you are going to wipe the rims etc use something like brake and clutch cleaner...can be bought in an aerosol.

Antony

brettypeeps · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:23 PM »

Old brakes are rubbish but look the Mutts.

I use new school blocks when I ride and they work well with Dia-compe 880's

Clear brake blocks are meant to work well

but I use the new Skyway blocks and the are fine for me

sid1972 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:26 PM »

I always thought 1000's were awesome, depends what your doing?

got to be better than wedging your foot in the forks..

The VW Doc · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:28 PM »

Cheers guys - i will give them time to bed in (and not try any emergency stops!)
I may wipe the rims down as well (and roughen up the brake pad surfaces as well - every little helps

The VW Doc · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:30 PM »

Quote from: sid1972 on June 03, 2011, 03:26 PM

got to be better than wedging your foot in the forks..

Definately! I dont get how kids ride bikes nower days with no brakes?? - God I must be getting old!

dordymush · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2011, 12:30 AM »

get some clear new school pads mucka.
they'll stop ya

glenboy · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2011, 01:04 AM »

yes as above the tech has moved on and we are generally a bit heavier than back in the day give darren K.A.P. off here a pm he has some new school pads with os brakes and they really stop his are yellow sort of clear pads similar to skyway

The VW Doc · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2011, 12:26 PM »

Cheers glenboy - I have PM'd Darren K.A.P to see what he has

Dordymush - any "clear new school pads" in particular? (Or is there really only one make??