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Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: Bigplinky on December 15, 2008, 08:03 PM

Title: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: Bigplinky on December 15, 2008, 08:03 PM
Well what total hassle I've had getting this working  :2gunsfiring_v1:

A small run down of troubles would be

Move crank (chainwheel) as far to the right as possible
Move Hub (freewheel) as far to the left as possible (to get the chainline between the front chain rings)
Shim the shifting barrel because this is an early version which didn't work correctly on most frames and was later countermeasured
Buy bloody stange size allen keys to tighten it up
Shim the seat post tube because clamp was too big


But got it working at last and I've got to say it is seamless under a powered shift. Whether you agree with 2 speed BMX or not (personelly I think BMX should be single speed) this was one hell or a piece of engineering / sideways thinking.

Available for Test rides at MK09 (wanted it ready for Creation but manflu stopped me  :()

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v637/bigplinky/Temp/DSC03674.jpg)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v637/bigplinky/Temp/DSC03675.jpg)

Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: fouronethreeoh! on December 15, 2008, 08:16 PM
Liking that apart from the jubilee clip for the cable stop.
I think you can get clamp on cable stops for old roadie bikes, suntour i think.
Always wondered how well browning system worked.
They were still producing up till early 2000s.
Very hard to compete against the might have shimano, especially with something that is a little unconventional.
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: billstup on December 15, 2008, 08:22 PM
I must admit to being very suprised on how well the gears change on a 4x bike under a lot of torque  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: CD17 on December 15, 2008, 08:42 PM
I also think BMX should be single gear bikes, but would be very interested in seeing this working, looks pretty good  :)

I just wonder why they had the twin cogs at the front & not the rear like MTB/Road Bikes  :-\
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: Bigplinky on December 15, 2008, 08:50 PM
4130, Didn't know they made them that late it would be interesting to see what mods they made to the early ones. The only down sides I can see are:

The shift isn't instant you have to wait upto one revolution of the crank before the shift

I think it would be very sensitive to mud (a lot of the workings are plastic so I think wear would also be an issue).

Not easy to swap between bikes quickly.

Bill, are you just talking about normal gear shifts on 4x bikes or do they have something fancy on them?

Chris, The secrets in the hinged outer chainring

Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: CD17 on December 15, 2008, 08:56 PM
Yeah I saw that Andy not sure how it works, but looks interesting  8)

BTW your BB was posted today 1st class  :angel:
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: DIRTBIKER250F on December 15, 2008, 09:02 PM
Fook me Andy, sorry to hear about your man flu dude  :-\. Nice work  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: Bigplinky on December 15, 2008, 09:19 PM
Paul, Twas but a sniffle  :tickedoff: (that's lasted two weeks the basket)

Cheers Chris  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: billstup on December 15, 2008, 09:27 PM
4130, Didn't know they made them that late it would be interesting to see what mods they made to the early ones. The only down sides I can see are:

The shift isn't instant you have to wait upto one revolution of the crank before the shift

I think it would be very sensitive to mud (a lot of the workings are plastic so I think wear would also be an issue).

Not easy to swap between bikes quickly.

Bill, are you just talking about normal gear shifts on 4x bikes or do they have something fancy on them?

Chris, The secrets in the hinged outer chainring



Andy they have a paddle type shifter that sits next to your brake lever on the handlebars, it`s on a ratchet and there are two paddles, one for you thumb and one for your finger, and one click instantly changes it either up or down a gear  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: Mattdub on December 15, 2008, 09:31 PM
Mad looking thing that I was always intrigued by after seeing DY run one bitd . I've probably nearly bought one on half a dozen occasions just to check it out !  :LolLolLolLol:

Good work Andy , looks top drawer  :daumenhoch: .

Mr Style personified  :4_17_5: , using a Browning .

(http://)(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v201/Mattdub/DarrellYoung4.jpg)  
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: kdw712 on December 15, 2008, 09:42 PM
they look very cool

what you using as a shifter andy ? 
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: daz bmx it! on December 15, 2008, 09:43 PM
Cool! :daumenhoch: like it or not its a piece of bmx history,nice to see summat different aswell :daumenhoch: well done that man ;)
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: brass monkey! on December 15, 2008, 09:47 PM
 8)

i like !
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: moley on December 15, 2008, 09:53 PM
http://www2.bsn.de/Cycling/articles/browning.html   :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: Bigplinky on December 18, 2008, 06:49 PM
Sorry for no reply's lads been away for a few days with work

Thanks for the positive comments aswell

Kev, I'm just using a Tech 3 to shift it same as in the DY picture so you keep hold of the lever when you want it in the low gear.

Moley that'sa a cool article thanks for posting  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: QUADROPHENIA on December 18, 2008, 08:54 PM


cool andy cool
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: fouronethreeoh! on December 19, 2008, 06:25 PM
Website hasnt been updated since 2002, and says they are no longer trading but i do remember a while back that they offered technical support for their products. Could be worth an email.

http://www.browningcomponent.com/index.php (http://www.browningcomponent.com/index.php)
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: fouronethreeoh! on January 11, 2009, 07:23 PM
This just cropped up on ebay, one of brownings electronic shift systems.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Suntour-Browning-Electronic-Accushift-Transmission_W0QQitemZ260344780233QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item260344780233&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Suntour-Browning-Electronic-Accushift-Transmission_W0QQitemZ260344780233QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item260344780233&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: Dark Diggler on January 11, 2009, 07:35 PM
I have often wondered about an internal geared hub, Simano nexus/alfine or rolhoff , I wonder wether theywould hold up to the stresses involved. Then there is the weight  :-\

The browning looks cool and is a piece if history for sure, Ace  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: fouronethreeoh! on January 11, 2009, 07:44 PM
I also like the idea of internal geared hubs, its just the major weight of them.
Just think sturmey archer 3 speed.
The rohloff 14 speed must be weighty.
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: Dark Diggler on January 11, 2009, 07:59 PM
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=447795

interesting
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: nosepickben on August 24, 2010, 05:22 PM
Hey plinky, do you still have the browning set-up?? Do you want to sell it??  ::)
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: Bigplinky on August 25, 2010, 07:02 PM
Hi Ben

Still got it but not selling. If you find a front end unit I've got a NOS chaintensioner spare (doesn't come in the kit)  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: nosepickben on August 25, 2010, 07:18 PM
OK, was speaking about the system with george french the other day, I searched on here for any info and saw that you had one. Just wondered..... Keep me in mind if you sell tho mate, george seemed keen on getting his hands on a set-up.
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: boofy44 on August 25, 2010, 11:25 PM
they still come up on us e-bay now and again.there was one on
there about a month ago.
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: nosepickben on August 26, 2010, 05:54 AM
cheers, will keep my eyes on it. :)
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: Mattdub on August 26, 2010, 08:34 AM
Cool system , had a go on Andy's bike at MK and was impressed how smooth  ;)
Title: Re: Browning Two Speed: like it or not it's smooth
Post by: Bigplinky on August 27, 2010, 07:00 AM
Cheers Matt, when it works correctly (which isn't 100% of the time TBH) it's a wicked system. I did about 6 gates with it at MK and on that semi flat start hill it was a real advantage but as I said I've never found it to be 100% and if it jams it stays on the lower ratio. Also due to it having very tight tolerances I don't think it would work well in mud (maybe OK in sunny So.Cal but in the UK a non starter  :LolLolLolLol:). It also has quite a few nylon parts in it which I can't see been good for durability. Overall glad I got one and worked out how to get it going (I have a MK1 version with fixed shifting barrel the MK2 version with rotating barrel would be a hell of a lot easier to set up. Don't pay the earth for one they are more common than you think as they were expensive BITD and a lot were probably unsold.

Ben, if you and George are passing Newcastle upon Tyne give me a shout and you can have a go on it. Haven't seen George since the early 90's (tell him it's Chris Radford's Geordie mate Andy, probably won't remember. Haven't seen Chris since I moved from Derby in 97 either come to think of it)
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