Subject: RE: Brake Cables
Author: Greg Bender
Date: Mar 30, 2005, 9:28 AM
Post ID: 1718621739
Hi AJ,
There are a few things going on with the cable issue...this is what I
understand to be the case:
Historically, there was a time when brake light switches were not
required for the front brake...only for the rear brake. I believe the
loop frames straddled this era, leaving original examples of front brake
cables with and without the brake light switch.
The original cables were made a of thicker diameter cable that was wound
differently than some of the cable available today. It is said that
original cables are less likely to stretch than some of the thinner
aftermarket cables. This gives a more direct link to the brakes and a
stiffer feel at the lever.
To add trouble with the mix, the brake light switch adds additional
mushy-ness to the equation. The old switches worked by compressing very
dense rubber (if I remember right) whereas the new switches work by
compressing springs. The old switchs feel firmer, if I'm not mistaken.
To get the most direct link to the front brakes, you'll want to use a
thick cable without any switches. But, you pay the price of not having
the rear brake light come on when this happens.
On my Ambo, I'm using an original cable with the original switch. The
switch didn't initially work, but only required disassembly and clean up
to get it going again (it's pretty simple). I'm happy with this
compromise as I don't want to always have to remember to use the rear
brake to activate the brake light.
There really isn't a clear "best" choice, but I hope I've unmuddied the
waters a bit.
AJ Huff wrote:
I'm curious and ignorant. My bike has new cables from the PO and he told me that the front cable did not activate the brake light. So I am assuming an after market cable of some type with no switch. I would think that having the brake activate the brake light is important. Maybe I'm wrong? I see that MG Cycle has replacement cables with a switch. Is this what I would want or is there another work around. |
Regards,
Greg Bender
1971 Ambassador
2000 Quota
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/gtbender
Florida MGNOC website
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/fl_mgnoc
Minnesota MGNOC website
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/mn_mgnoc