Brake rod length

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uas526
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Brake rod length

Post by uas526 »

A quick question on brake rods, if I may. I have a new brake rod for my 54 rigid. It's 21" long. It doesn't fit; too long. According to club spares the correct length is 21" and the rod should fit springer and rigid. However, on my 54 model 16S the brake rod is 19". So, I'm not sure what's going on. Anyone any ideas? This is a build-from-parts project, so I don't have the original part. I can easily cut down and rethread, of course, but that would require trial and error. Maybe I could try the 19" one from the m16.
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dave16mct
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Re: Brake rod length

Post by dave16mct »

It should be the same as your 16MS (014520). The brake pedals should be the same too. The crank part of the lever should be about vertical. Later pedals say 56 on have a sloping backward crank part so will need a shorter rod.
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uas526
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Re: Brake rod length

Post by uas526 »

Thanks Dave, useful info. I remeasured the new brake rod and it's actually 21.25" and the 16 ms 19.25". Anyway, I now realise I have the springer version of the rear lever (017113) rather than the rigid lever (012577) as fitted on the rigid road and comp models. I'm not sure how much difference that makes.
uas526
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Re: Brake rod length

Post by uas526 »

Rechecked both lever and pedal...both correct. Set lever to vertical. Thanks Dave. Cut rod down to 19.25" and rethreaded. All good: brake works well. Why not 21"?... I may never know. Anyway, post concluded.
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dave16mct
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Re: Brake rod length

Post by dave16mct »

I checked 2 of mine, both are later with the sloping lever. One is 17" and is too short, only just reaches. The other is 19.25 and is too long.
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uas526
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Re: Brake rod length

Post by uas526 »

Interesting. Thanks for posting those observations. Are those both comp bikes? Easy to make from 1/4 mild steel, I suppose. Or, 304 stainless.
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dave16mct
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Re: Brake rod length

Post by dave16mct »

One's a '58 18CS and the other is a '57 16MS.
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uas526
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Re: Brake rod length

Post by uas526 »

Thanks Dave.
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