I had the same exact problem a few weeks ago with the brake cable. Installed a new one with the switch and with max slack, the darn brake was locked solid on the wheel, wheel would not budge. I did what Greg mentioned, removed the arm and moved it a tooth on the spline, was my only choice. Now I am near the other side of the spectrum in that there was too much cable to tighten up/adjust, but I've got it set and have some room to work with as the pads where down. And yes, this cable does feel spongy, though the prior cable had no switch and I could pull the handle to the grip. Same happens now when pulling hard, but I have not had her on the road yet to test them out, so I'm hoping she'll stop OK. I don't remember the 71 Ambo having spongy front brakes, I thought it had a pretty firm handle, not sure what causes one to be nice and firm, another to be spongy. If you figure it out, let me know.
Keith Ruff 70 Cafe Racer Ambo Manahawkin, NJ
Charlie Mullendore wrote:
Tried that already. Then, even with all of the slack adjusted out, the lever comes all the way back to the grip with very little actual pressure on the shoes. Thanks,
Greg Field wrote:
Charley:
Pull off the brake actuating arms and rotate them one spline so that the end of the arm is closer to the cable lug.
GF
Thanks Pat. Thought about that as a last resort. May try another cable first (maybe the factory original cable still on the '69). This is the first cable I've had with the switch in it - are they all rather spongey feeling? Or is it more the cable construction?
Patrick Hayes wrote:
Charlie Mullendore wrote:
Then there's the brake cable problem. Put it on and even with maximum slack adjusted in, the brakes drag. Cable was fully seated in both adjusters and switch, the levers (on the backing plate) are in the same position they came off (the same as my '69's). Seems like the inner cable is too short or outer is too long. Any ideas?
I've seen some problems like this in the past. Carefully peel back the end of the outer cable, maybe even pull off the end ferrule if you can. If you work slowly and carefully with a Dremel tool and a thin, red cutoff wheel, you can cut off 1/8" or so of the outer spiral housing and
thus build some slack into the system. You have to be VERY slow and careful not to nick the inner cable. There will be lots of abrassive dust from the project, so inject some cleaner and blow it out with air from the opposite end to flush the debris.
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