brake time

[Np02]

Trying to give my mini bike an upgrade for the new season and one thing that needs addressed is the brakes. It has the normal clutch band brake which is just awful no matter how it was adjusted. I was curious what others have done to fix this. Have you used disc brakes? can you use the sprocket as the brake disc? could you use the break disc on the front wheel without making stoppies? are hydraulics worth it? Would like to hear what people have done and whats worked for them.

 

[mckutzy]

First what is the bike??

Pics??

 

[Np02]

I believe that it is (most likely as I had little info upon buying) a Ruttman Wild Goose. I now realize I have a fair amount of room to add a disc on the right side of the rear wheel. mind the thrown chain and the mess

 

[mckutzy]

Off hand I see a few thing that could be done...
Main part do you want to buy or build....

-A jackshaft, in a 1:1 ratio, with an outboard brake(a mech/hydro disc)...
This might help with the alignment, as it look like (above pics) there might be a slight problem with it...Itll take some work as you have a small space, but enough to work with...could always flip the tire, go right side drive, have the brake on the jackshaft outboard on the drive side... Down side, brakes need the chain to be intact, loose a chain, NO BRAKES....

-Disc on rear tire.
Could use existing sprocket to be the disc, but its performance is hampered greatly by lubricant from chain....
Better to have a dedicated disc for the braking.
Big question will be, Is the rear rim easily to accept a disc being mounted to it? It isnt a live axle so the disc and sprocket need to rotate as one with each other, in the confines of the limited space of the rear part of the frame... This also limits the physical size of the actual disc and caliper that will fit.

-A drum brake wheel... this might be something you may be able to find and that will fit your frame/wheel.....
I personally dont have any experience with these type, but know a few basic's.

-A scrub brake.....
Itll also take a bit of work to fit, but it can be somewhat worthwhile, however at the expense of rear tires....

- A better diagnosis of the current band brake.....
Howabout a look of the assembly with out the guard.....

When was the last time you did any maintenance on the band drum?.....
How does the band react when you apply the brakes?....

 

[Np02]

The bike is at an angle which makes the alignment look worse than it is. had scrubs on my go kart which I also had poor luck with and I probably wouldn't want to buy another tire unless I have to. drum brake may work but then again fit could be problematic (hence the $4 ebay gas tank as the stock tank is only an 1.8" too high) I believe a disc brake in the rear could work well granted I find a matching wheel half that is identical to the half which has the extrusion to hold the sprocket. I don't know if itll fit perfectly but it seems like there are already holes drilled to do so. Ive checked the drum and band and they appear to be alright but from what Ive seen in other videos is that they just don't naturally have quite the stopping power that a proper disc brake could potentially have. ~~ side note: would you use regular disc brake or a hydraulic disc brake?

 

[mckutzy]

I have mechanical, have used them as they are cheap... but effective for the money...

Have you sanded the drum and band? It might be glazed over... this occurs kinda often and does diminish the effectiveness of the band.... when setup right.. you should be able to lockup the rear end on this size of tire??

 

[Np02]

have not done so yet but will give it a go

 

[mckutzy]

Wile your at it... Take a pic before start, with the guard off... Lets see how it looks...

 

[Np02]

Like you said the alignment was bad so I put in some new bearings as one of them was properly toasted. While looking at the brake band I noticed that there was a portion which was cracked and chipped. In the picutures you can also tell that it is rubbing very slightly when not engaged. When engaged a portion of it does not even come into contact with the clutch / brake thing. Here is a video of it actuating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W6AORKXsMQ