Improving braking performance?

Try the current makers - velosolex.co.ukvelosolex.co.ukOpen ↗. They claim the parts they make now are
identical to the originals.

Tony

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raven-family.comraven-family.comOpen ↗

"All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed.
Finally, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer

In "]news:[email hidden], Adrian
<[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

All,

I've got an old French VeloSolex moped, fitted with brakes which are very similar in operation to
normal older-bicycle-style calipers - see velocruz.combraking.htmOpen ↗ for an
exploded diagram of them - they're the same front and rear on my bike.

Made up of a multiplicity of pressings, they're a masterpiece of complication and visual
loveliness, but there's one important thing missing - retardation! They're lethal....

The brake blocks in it at the mo are just normal ones from a local bike shop, which have worn well
down in virtually no time (literally, about 30 miles). There's a simple adjuster on the cable to
tighten them up - one notch, and they start to rub, two notches and the wheels won't actually
rotate any more....

Any thoughts? Blocks too soft? Rims need cleaning with something? (They're smooth, and not rusty,
but they've got sort of a black deposit on them, won't easily come off)

I should be able to "persuade" it through the MOT on pure comedy value, but they really do need
sorting.

Thanks! Adrian.

Adrian said:

The brake blocks in it at the mo are just normal ones from a local bike shop, which have worn well
down in virtually no time (literally, about 30 miles). There's a simple adjuster on the cable to
tighten them up - one notch, and they start to rub, two notches and the wheels won't actually
rotate any more....

Any thoughts? Blocks too soft? Rims need cleaning with something? (They're smooth, and not rusty,
but they've got sort of a black deposit on them, won't easily come off)

If not getting better brakes altogether (?I know nuffink about mopeds!), then regularly cleaning
rims with meths or white sprit and using better blocks is bound to help.

Kool Stop Salmon (and strictly only the salmon) compound is harder wearing and leaves less black
sludge than most. The Continental model is a cheap "ordinary" type that will fit any bog standard
calipers. Could ask Wiggle or bike shop to order some, or import from Harris Cyclery in the States.

~PB

"Tony Raven" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Try the current makers - velosolex.co.ukvelosolex.co.ukOpen ↗. They claim the parts they make now are
identical to the originals.

Thanks - getting hold of new "genuine" blocks isn't a problem - but will it help? I was just
wondering if those with far more cycle experience than I had any useful tips for lousy brakes.

"Tony Raven" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Try the current makers - velosolex.co.ukvelosolex.co.ukOpen ↗. They claim the parts they make now are
identical to the originals.

Yep, I can get the "right" blocks - via a bit of grief, it's easier/cheaper to order from the
US importers - but would they make much of a difference? Or are there better things to check
into first?

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Any thoughts? Blocks too soft? Rims need cleaning with something? (They're smooth, and not rusty,
but they've got sort of a black deposit on them, won't easily come off)

Quoted message said:

If not getting better brakes altogether (?I know nuffink about mopeds!), then regularly cleaning
rims with meths or white sprit and using better blocks is bound to help.

Mmmm. Time to see if there's some white spirit about, then.

Quoted message said:

Kool Stop Salmon (and strictly only the salmon) compound is harder wearing and leaves less black
sludge than most. The Continental model is a cheap "ordinary" type that will fit any bog
standard calipers. Could ask Wiggle or bike shop to order some, or import from Harris Cyclery in
the States.

Ta,

In "]news:[email hidden], Adrian
<[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

Mmmm. Time to see if there's some white spirit about, then.

Preferably not white spirit which leaves an oily residue. Meths is what you need - or vodka.

Tony

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raven-family.comraven-family.comOpen ↗

"All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed.
Finally, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer

Tony Raven ([email hidden]) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Mmmm. Time to see if there's some white spirit about, then.

Quoted message said:

Preferably not white spirit which leaves an oily residue. Meths is what you need - or vodka.

Ah. Definitely got some of that..... (grin)

In message <[email hidden]>, Tony Raven <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

In "]news:[email hidden], Adrian
<[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

Mmmm. Time to see if there's some white spirit about, then.

Preferably not white spirit which leaves an oily residue. Meths is what you need - or vodka.

Isopropyl alcohol is the stuff to go for, especially as it's on special offer in maplins at the
moment! You'll find most bike disc brake cleaners are pretty much just that at many times the price
and I've found it to work best.

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