Front Brake Not Grabbing.

[rrietman]

D ; I have to ask, what kind of bike are you used to riding? you might need to lower your expectations. dream brakes are weak, REALLY WEAK. that said. SLS brake systems can benefit greatly by brake arcing and proper adjustment. most dream riders live with what they got.
good luck
Randy

[Hamamatsu Nippon]

Hamamatsu, can you clarify that procedure a little more for me? There's one horizontal steel/aluminum bar brace that attaches at the top, then of course the axle. I want to loosen both and spin the wheel, grab with the brake and that will center that brake drum assembly better?

Yes pretty much. Spin the wheel and pull hard on the brake lever. Hold the brake on and tighten the axle, this aligns the backing plate. Release the brake then tighten the horizontal brake stay. Compress the forks a few times to align the forks, then tighten the pinch bolts on the axle. I'm not claiming this will do miracles, but the Dream brakes can be soo bad this procedure may be a good step forward for you.

[mike1969]

I agree with everyone about Dream brakes being weak. When I said my brakes work great I meant great for a Dream. They are mechanical and nowhere near what you get on newer hydraulic brakes.

[deafanddiabetic]

Hey dudes, no worries! I know they're not dual disc front and rear "throw you over the bars" brakes.

But literally I pull the brake handle and my Dream doesn't even SLOW down. Like no grabbing of any kind. I will try that procedure tonight, it sounds like it will help.

At the very least because it's built mechanically the same as the rear brake, granted some mechanical advantage has to be given to the brake rod on the rear, I figure the front should at LEAST pull as well as the back. I'm a poor optimist in that regard.

[deafanddiabetic]

Centering those pads did the trick, it grabs much much better now. Thanks for the help!

[Nick]

Here's what you do:

1. Get some sticky backed sandpaper like they use on rotary sanders, etc.

2. Cut to shape so that you can line your hub with the sandpaper.

3. Install backing plate with shoes.

4. Slowly rotate whee by hand while actuating brake, this will shape the shoes to your drum.

5. After removing and cleaning sandpaper/glue, rough up drum surface with sand paper or wet try.

6. When installing wheel, put everything together loosely. Then, with the bike on center stand, spin wheel and apply brake firmly. Now, without releasing pressure on the brake, tighten the axle, pinch bolts, etc. This will center the brake drum/shoes and keep everything square.