Hi, I have a 1958 A10 Super Rocket with full with QD rear wheel. The brake on this is truly appalling! It is the cable operated variety. I have fitted it with NOS original shoes and these are the "Fully Floating modification (correct frame number for this mod). There is very little movement on the brake lever (on the brake plate) before the shoes touch the drum, so it is not a wear issue. But when I connect it all up the travel on the brake pedal seems excessive and the brake is next to useless.
Another issue is that, having installed the wheel back in the swinging arm, if I tighten the spindle bolt (long one) the wheel begins to lock up.
I have had this wheel out several times and can see nothing wrong.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
Bill
Hi,
The cable rear brake is notorious for being fiddly to set up.
With the brake on the ideal angle for the brake arm is 90º to the cable. The brake arm can be reversed to help achieve this or some had a 'star' shape to allow for smaller adjustments.
At the other end of the cable the short splined arm should also be at 90º to the cable.
There are some pattern cables that have the inner a bit too long.
If you can almost get the 90º but not quite try removing the brake pedal from its spline and then get the other bits to their best position. Then refit the pedal in the position best for you. It is also possible to to alter the footrest a bit to accommodate this.
Dave.
These cable rear brakes always seem to feel spongy and lack power.
The floating shoes are a useful improvement. Make absolutely certain that they are assembled the correct way around. If switched the resulting brake is dreadful.
A cable which is too long wastes effort in trying to straighten itself before working the brake. I Always make my own.
When assembling the brake/wheel in the frame check that when the torque arm is tighten it does not distort the brake plate which would also add to the spongy feel.
There are 2 versions of the 1958/59 brake plate with lever pointing up and cast in cable stop, the original part 42 6314 and a replacement part 42 6358 which has a cast in internal ring to make it more rigid. Shown in the first photo.
With the rear wheel starting to lock up - check that all the parts are in the right place. The second photo shows the rear spindle with brake side bearing and the parts in the correct order.
If the shoes are NOS then the linings are 50 odd years old . Possibly hard and wooden.
Reline them about 6 quid a shoe plus post with road soft linings to give good brakes and centralise the rear drum before tightening
Are the brake shoes a bit wide and are being locked against the drum as the spindle is tightened.
take off the rear wheel lay horizontal, spin the wheel and operate the rear brake via the lever.
if it works well ite only cable slack causing issues.
check all spacers and spindle correct for locking up rear wheel when tight
Quote from: Toplinkdriver253 on 19 Jun, 2025, 10:33 Another issue is that, having installed the wheel back in the swinging arm, if I tighten the spindle bolt (long one) the wheel begins to lock up.
I have had this wheel out several times and can see nothing wrong.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
Bill
What often happens is that the central spacer tube can move a bit putting an end load on the bearings. If that's the case it'll sort itself out in a couple of miles running.
Many thanks for all of the responses. The issue appears to be an incorrect OEM cable! This meant that I could not get the lever arms set correctly and was losing braking effort. Apparently, mine needs 42-7034. The one I ordered was too long. However, a Web search showed that these are as rare as Hen's teeth and vendors want over £50 plus postage! The two cheapest were both £47 and they were in the USA! by the time postage and tax was added they were almost £75. So it was off to my old friends JJ Cables in Banbury, who have the correct pattern. Price? £22. Result.
As far as the locking up goes, I will investigate further. The shoes are not touching the hub but something about the spacer tube doesn't look right. Off with the wheel again!
Thanks again.
Some spacer tubes only go in one way round but it's possible to insert them the other way... Don't know about the A10 however.
Re the wheel tightening, are the bearings fully home?