19-06-2022, 04:04 PM
Having recently returned from the very successful A7 Centenary Eurotour to France, Germany and Belgium covering 1500+ "trouble free" miles over many long, steep climbs and equally long and steep, white knuckle descents, with up to 200 miles being covered in a day.
I had noticed during the trip that some days Ruby flew along and yet others she seemed sluggish and lacking what little power she had.
I have since returning been checking Ruby over, greasing oiling and adjusting as required and found that the front brakes have been sticking on and not releasing.
Having completely stripped the front end I found that the brake lever cams to be stuck in the "Oilite" bush, upon removal I found the bush and cam to be coated in a hard black substance and the bush looked to have been burnt, see top pic attached.
I realise I am showing my naivety here by confessing that I did not know one should soak the "Oilite" bushes prior to their use, in hot oil at very specific temperatures or cold oil for 24 hours or ....... depending upon where you searched, but having looked up the manufacturers recommendations, it did not appear to be required as all "Oilite" bushes are supplied vacuum injected with a minimum of 20% volume of oil??
I have also found that the brakes themselves have only been operating on half the width of the linings, see second pic attached. I have mentioned this on a previous occasion on this forum and that the tabs that held the shoes square needed to be a close fit to prevent the shoes being pulled out of line by the springs. Obviously I failed again to adjust them correctly as the shoes have obviously not been sitting square.
Any advice (....or abuse) as to how I correct these issues would be gladly received, I am sure I am not the first to make these errors but hopefully if someone can assist it will help someone else from doing the same in future.
Cheers Denis S
I had noticed during the trip that some days Ruby flew along and yet others she seemed sluggish and lacking what little power she had.
I have since returning been checking Ruby over, greasing oiling and adjusting as required and found that the front brakes have been sticking on and not releasing.
Having completely stripped the front end I found that the brake lever cams to be stuck in the "Oilite" bush, upon removal I found the bush and cam to be coated in a hard black substance and the bush looked to have been burnt, see top pic attached.
I realise I am showing my naivety here by confessing that I did not know one should soak the "Oilite" bushes prior to their use, in hot oil at very specific temperatures or cold oil for 24 hours or ....... depending upon where you searched, but having looked up the manufacturers recommendations, it did not appear to be required as all "Oilite" bushes are supplied vacuum injected with a minimum of 20% volume of oil??
I have also found that the brakes themselves have only been operating on half the width of the linings, see second pic attached. I have mentioned this on a previous occasion on this forum and that the tabs that held the shoes square needed to be a close fit to prevent the shoes being pulled out of line by the springs. Obviously I failed again to adjust them correctly as the shoes have obviously not been sitting square.
Any advice (....or abuse) as to how I correct these issues would be gladly received, I am sure I am not the first to make these errors but hopefully if someone can assist it will help someone else from doing the same in future.
Cheers Denis S