Hi folks. I'm nearing the end of my A65 rebuild. I rolled it up the drive and applied the front brake - next to nothing. So I'm pretty sure I've rebuilt it well. It all moves freely and is properly adjusted but I have the original short levers and new Girling shoes on. I read with interest comments by Servodyne on this thread: https://www.bsaownersclub.co.uk/bsaoc_forum/index.php?topic=4535.msg21983#msg21983 He suggests the old original linings with bag loads of asbestos are the best by far. I happen to have the shoes that came with the bike. I think they are original spec as they are stamped lockheed. Whether the linings are original Ferodo Am114 who knows.
But I'm thinking of fitting them as an experiment. My main question is: given they have a minimum depth of 2.3mm above the rivet tops are they too worn. My instinct is they're OK but I'm not sure. They may not be ideal anyway as I had the drum skimmed to remove heavy scoring.
The other things I might try are getting the original shoes relined by Safetek and fitting extended brake arms. I think I'll also look out for original linings at auto jumbles as an option if all else fails.
Any thoughts or comments would be gratefully recieved.
Many thanks Glenn.
As you have had the drum skimmed I would think that now the brake shoes are a different radius to the drum. You would now need thicker linings or try packing out the brake shoes.
Thanks Idie, I've contacted Safetek I guess they can supply oversize shoes, we'll see.