Bowdenex Brakes

[Dennis Nicholas]

Hello Malcolm
People seem to have mixed views on Bowdenex.  The main advantage is that it removes the "anti servo" effect of front axle twist experienced with the earlier lighter pattern front axle, and removes the effect of steering lock on braking. 

The kits (From Super Accessories ?) included longer levers for the front, plus a matching set of longer levers for the rear so pedal pressure was reduced (in theory) in exchange for a longer pedal travel and more frequent need for adjustment. The disadvantages are extra weight and cable friction especially if full of old grease ( Some say that oil should be used ).  
Hope this helps

John Cornforth

The kit was made by a little engineering shop in Ottery St. Mary in S Devon.  They also did the IFS with twin front springs in place of the axle beam....I have photos of their "drawings" of the IFS that they sold to me and gave permission for me to show around.   (ok A7CA archive I haven't forgotten to send you copies....still fathoming out how to copy and send!!!)

Use molybdenum grease sparingly on the cables (Molyslip)  CV joint grease usually has it in it. Moly rubbed well into cable.  Moly is difficult to remove from anything you get it on so will last well.  Another tip is to wet a cloth with Moly (as in oil additive) and rub it well onto the lips of lip seals to provide a lubrication that will lessen friction and thus wear on seal and shaft.  Also rub onto seal faces in hydraulic circuit seals including all rubbers in disc brake pistons.

It is very worthwhile providing compensation between the two cables as it saves endless adjusting and ensures equal force to each leaver.  My 7 with hydraulics used to be a pain using Bowden type cables for the hand break with similar set up of rod through leaver tail and cable through hole in each end of rod therefore no compensation.  Then I changed to using short rod to swivelling compensator with cable at each end of the swivel......transformation was wonderful.  I think it was an Allegro swivel that I used (from the breakers) but anything similar would do.

Dennis