Rear brake return spring

drones76 · Nov 22, 2013

Recently, 500 miles ago or so, I had replaced the rear brake cable because it seemed that I needed press too far down to engage the brake. I thought it might be stretched. After the cable change it still was not really satisfactory.

Had a flat and needed to fix it and also replace the chain.
Installed the new chain and put it back together. Still up on the bench. When I apply the brake, it seems to brake fine, but the brake arm does not return to its resting place. In this position, when trying to move the wheel it is binding a bit. The cable needs to travel about 1/4 inch to return it. I can gently pull on the brake arm and it returns to where it needs to go. Then the wheel turns freely. Can it be something as simple as the spring is in need of replacement? I did not notice this issue before.

'74 MKIIA

DogT · Nov 22, 2013

It should return without a spring on the brake pedal. The rear brake has a spring on the outside on the lever arm, you can see that. Something must be binding in the eccentric cam area? I'd pull it apart and see what's going on in there. Of course you've got the cush drive so it's different than mine. I'll let others chime in.

Torontonian · Nov 22, 2013

Chime in humanoid here. Grease dries out. Brake internal cam and bushes dry as a bone ?

concours · Nov 22, 2013

Torontonian said:
Chime in humanoid here. Grease dries out. Brake internal cam and bushes dry as a bone ?

Beat me to it, Grease fitting on shaft been serviced?

rpatton · Nov 22, 2013

First of all, did you lube the new cable? Did you route it correctly? Last, did you have someone press down on the brake lever to center the backing plate when you tightened down on the left hand nut, on the dummy axle?

Mark F · Nov 23, 2013

Have you by chance fitted one of those brake lever safety springs. The one that is supposed to stop your brake lever digging into the bitumen if your brake cable snaps.
I fitted one to my bike and it just fouled the lever enough to stop the lever returning completely and would hold the brake light on.
Fixed it by wrapping a couple of cable ties around the lever arm and spring to centralize the spring loop.
Hth.

Bernhard · Nov 23, 2013

rpatton said:
First of all, did you lube the new cable? Did you route it correctly? Last, did you have someone press down on the brake lever to center the backing plate when you tightened down on the left hand nut, on the dummy axle?

+1.
A sticking brake pivot , that requires a clean and grease, as mentioned, the inner cable must move freely

pete.v · Nov 23, 2013

DogT said:
It should return without a spring on the brake pedal.

Yes, this third party add-on spring is a safety device and has nothing to do with the brake return function.
FWIW, that add-on spring is a good thing.

drones76 · Nov 23, 2013

Thanks all for the replies. I do have an add on safety spring and it was binding it enough to hold it back that 1/4 inch. I took it off and it returns as it normally should. I do like having the spring on there, or some kind of safety device. I did lose the nut off the back of the brake rod one time while riding and that spring was the only thing stopping the brake lever from dropping to the ground.

Thanks again.

Mark F · Nov 23, 2013

Drones it is a good thing to have the spring. As I said I fixed the binding problem with a couple of cable/zip ties. I'll take a photo later.

Mark F · Nov 23, 2013

Here you go Drone. For your viewing pleasure.
Maybe not the most elegant but it works.

drones76 · Nov 24, 2013

Mark F said:
Here you go Drone. For your viewing pleasure.
Maybe not the most elegant but it works.

Thanks for the picture Mark. Unfortunately, that is not the type of spring that I have on my bike. The one that was on there when I got the bike is below.

I will be getting one like your type. Again thanks.

Bernhard · Nov 26, 2013

Definitely the wrong spring the right one might cure your problem :!:

grandpaul · Nov 26, 2013

Still ought to pull the rear brake plate & disassemble; remove the cam spindle, thoroughly wash, grease, then re-fit & re-assemble. Then, a final greasing in place with the fitting.

You sure don't want that thing binding.

pete.v · Nov 26, 2013

Make sure #16 060704 is in good shape and properly possitioned.

http://www.oldbritts.com/1972_g17.html

Rear brake return spring

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