My Brake Set-Up

[Dr. Frankenstein]

I can use some guidance here: my front brake is giving me fits - I tried to adjust it the way the manual says, but I still have lots of play/no brake contact when I pull in the lever.,

I have lots of meat still on the shoe, and have tried adjusting at the wheel and at the lever, and both, to no effect.


Here's a pic of what I have: now, the manual says to Adjust nut A and adjust nut B at the wheel, but as you can see, I have no 'Nut A'...or B for that matter. This is the way the bike came to me...I have a feeling I'm missing something, but I don't know what...
DSCN1198 by Dr. Frankenstein1, on Flickr

Any ideas/ what should I have on this assembly (or not) and how do I adjust it? Everything I've tried the lever goes right down to the handlebar.

Also, does that little silver shaft in the middle under the springs rotate/adjust?

[LOUD MOUSE]

On the end of the cable is a Threaded shaft.
Hold it and turn the Knob on the end clockwise.
You also have an adjuster at the bars. .............lm

I can use some guidance here: my front brake is giving me fits - I tried to adjust it the way the manual says, but I still have lots of play/no brake contact when I pull in the lever.,

I have lots of meat still on the shoe, and have tried adjusting at the wheel and at the lever, and both, to no effect.


Here's a pic of what I have: now, the manual says to Adjust nut A and adjust nut B at the wheel, but as you can see, I have no 'Nut A'...or B for that matter. This is the way the bike came to me...I have a feeling I'm missing something, but I don't know what...
DSCN1198 by Dr. Frankenstein1, on Flickr

Any ideas/ what should I have on this assembly (or not) and how do I adjust it? Everything I've tried the lever goes right down to the handlebar.

Also, does that little silver shaft in the middle under the springs rotate/adjust?

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Hi LM;

Right - so I'm turning the round brass piece seen on the Left of the spring shaft seen above, yes...? Would it work to push that brake-stay down the spring-loaded shaft and then spin on the brass knob, bringing the rod end in to the Right...? I've done that, too, and no effect whatsoever. Would it help to re-position the brake arm, and/or the brass end piece..? Brake adjustment is always a PITA....

I'm wondering if the cable could be stretched...? They ARE the originals...

[LOUD MOUSE]

If that piece at the end is the correct part and has threads and the shaft has threads it should move to the left and pull the cable.
You will find the same knob at the rear brake rod. ................lm

Hi LM;

Right - so I'm turning the round brass piece seen on the Left of the spring shaft seen above, yes...? Would it work to push that brake-stay down the spring-loaded shaft and then spin on the brass knob, bringing the rod end in to the Right...? I've done that, too, and no effect whatsoever. Would it help to re-position the brake arm, and/or the brass end piece..? Brake adjustment is always a PITA....

I'm wondering if the cable could be stretched...? They ARE the originals...

[Dr. Frankenstein]

So the best place to have that brass piece at the end, is At The End of the rod, or farthest to the LEFT...correct? and then adjust at the handlebar?

[LOUD MOUSE]

The knob MUST twist onto the shaft to shorten the length of the cable.
Yes the lever end has an adjustment also. .
Compare the "2" knobs. ...................lm

So the best place to have that brass piece at the end, is At The End of the rod, or farthest to the LEFT...correct? and then adjust at the handlebar?

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Right, but what I'm wondering is, where does that knob need to be to SHORTEN the travel distance that the brake shoe makes from the brake shoe to the brake to get a firmer contact? Farther down the threaded shaft, or more to the Left/end of the shaft - and then adjust at the handlebar?

The reason I ask is that I have tried every combination of front brake lever and front wheel, but still don't feel the brake engaging the wall of the wheel.