Subject: RE: One step forward and three back... (longish)

Author: Robert Hawkes

Date: Mar 7, 2005, 4:21 PM

Post ID: 1718505606

I don't remember the 71 Ambo having spongy front brakes, I thought it
had a pretty firm handle, not sure what causes one to be nice and firm,
another to be spongy. If you figure it out, let me know.

Charlie Mullendore wrote:

Tried that already. Then, even with all of the slack adjusted out, the
lever comes all the way back to the grip with very little actual
pressure on the shoes. Thanks,

Greg Field wrote:

Charley:

Pull off the brake actuating arms and rotate them one spline so that
the end of the arm is closer to the cable lug.

GF

Thanks Pat. Thought about that as a last resort. May try another

first (maybe the factory original cable still on the '69). This is

first cable I've had with the switch in it - are they all rather
spongey
feeling? Or is it more the cable construction?

Patrick Hayes wrote:

Charlie Mullendore wrote:

Then there's the brake cable problem. Put it on and even with

slack adjusted in, the brakes drag. Cable was fully seated in both
adjusters and switch, the levers (on the backing plate) are in the

same
position they came off (the same as my '69's). Seems like the

cable is too short or outer is too long. Any ideas?

I've seen some problems like this in the past. Carefully peel back

the
end of the outer cable, maybe even pull off the end ferrule if you
can.
If you work slowly and carefully with a Dremel tool and a thin,

cutoff wheel, you can cut off 1/8" or so of the outer spiral

and

thus build some slack into the system. You have to be VERY slow

careful not to nick the inner cable. There will be lots of

dust from the project, so inject some cleaner and blow it out with

from the opposite end to flush the debris.