[MNellis]

Does anyone have a good technique for adjust the twin leading shoe front brakes like those found on early CB's and CL's?

Prior to today the lever pressure on the front brake felt hard but the brakes feel weak. I can grab the front lever with all my force and it just sort of slows down. Even when holding the front brake had at a stop I can roll the bike slightly.

Today, I re-aligned the punch marks on both pivot pins to the brake arms. This seems to have helped the braking A LITTLE but it still doesn't feel very strong. At a stop now, I can hold it with the brakes and can not roll it at all. However, the brake lever feels a little soft. It is adjusted so that it engages after about 1/8" but the lever doesn't feel nearly as hard as before.

The manual does not talk about how to ensure that both shoes are engaging at the same time which I think might be my problem.

 

[66Sprint]

Mike, The easiest way for me is to first make sure the punch-marks align... then, adjust the linkage rod so the centerlines of the two arms are ABSOLUTELY parallel....... Then adjust the lower cable so you "feel" the shoes touch at about that 1/16 to 1/8" gap at the lever to perch joint...... IF you still feel that you aren't getting enough braking, you probably need to deglaze both the shoes and the drum...
Drum ... Sand the outer "lip" down if there is one, then using medium-coarse paper (120) pull outwards (not around) at a 45* angle.... Cross hatch by doing the opposite 45.... Brakekleen out any dust and residue....
Shoes ... about 220 grit, Straight , light pulls at 90* to rotation, Chamfer the corners and "ramp" ends slightly... ONLY enough to de-glaze... Brakekleen, allow to dry, install....
If this fails, you need new shoes or drum... A LIGHT film of lithium high-temp grease on the cams and their shafts will help.....
Please let the group know how well this works for you.... Steve

 

[NE350]

Or ease up on carb intake :lol: