Speedtwin brake problems

[jade]

Hello

I just wondered if anyone could give me advice on swapping the front end of my '64 Speedtwin. The original brakes are terrible and I'd like to put a sidecar on it so that I can take my young son out. With the brakes as they are, I couldn't possibly risk it, and so the bike remains sorn. I would like a disc brake on the front, but I have no idea which front end to use. I need something that will be a very easy swap over and I'm not too worried about aesthetics as the bike is not completly original anyway. Safety is the most important issue here.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance, Jade

[Rex]

Quickest and easiest answer would be the TLS 7" brake from the late 1960s bikes, which is excellent. Second best would be to get the existing brake relined and properly set up. It's a myth that these brakes are no good, and likely comes from the era when they were cheap hacks used by hard-up apprentices unable or unwilling to spend money on them.
Even new shoes, heavy duty cable and a good setting up would doubtless improve things immensely for you.

Fitting a disc front end ain't easy, and now you have to inform the insurance company of any major modifications, it can all get complicated very quickly.... to be avoided if possible.

[rogerwilko]

Without trying to offend, it sounds like you should shift from pommy bikes to something more modern if all you're thinking about is your sons safety! People had sons in those days too!

[Stevejs]

Are the brakes 'original' or are they fitted with modern asbestos-free linings? If the latter, try looking out for some NOS original type linings. Cheaper than a TLS conversion!

[twolitre]

A cheaper option than disc would probably be to opt for respoking the front wheel with a larger brake drum with twin leading shoes, but remember that holding the bike on an upgrade with a TLS front brake alone might be difficult with a combo. They don't work very effectively when the wheel is trying to turn backwards.
Contrary to popular belief disc brakes are not really superior to drum brakes except at heat disipation. The superiority of discs only really comes in because they are usually larger diameter than drum brakes.

[craignation]

try haveing the drum skimmed with the rim ON this helps a lot , if the front brack is to good you may get some odd handling issues with forks diving , bottoming etc , thats why a lot of outfits use the earles ? type , how far are you willing to part from origional ? how fast do you want to go ?