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Date: 21 Jul 2007 04:22:50
From: landotter
Subject: Steel Raleigh calipers and the modern gentleman
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So I got fed up with the vintage 600 caliper I'd used on the Sprite,
as it was a bitch to center, and shined up the chrome steel original
caliper and swapped it back to stock. Ya know, I've always sneered a
bit at such calipers--but fact of the matter is--the Raleigh calipers
are very well made, very stiff, and easy to center. It's just the
Wally World bikes that had brakes that looked like them that truly
sucked.
Very good then. Put some slightly used Kool Stop Continentals on. Put
about 4mm of washers behind the pad--as the original brake shoes are
very thick. It's still not as thick as the originals, so the caliper
spring is compressed more when open that in the original
configuration. I'm also using Tektro levers set in the "canti" pull
position, as I really can't stand Raleigh "self adjusting" levers.
Braking is quite good at either end, but requires a strong paw. Hey,
this is my pusillanimous ride--I want brake feel fitting for a fey
rider toting a Pimm's cocktail in a bota bag. Would reducing the
spring tension help? Does having the calipers slightly more closed
with a modern pad affect anything more than adding extra spring
tension? Any guesses as to if the cable pull on old Raleigh levers is
similar to modern stuff for cantis? Rims are aluminum.
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Date: 21 Jul 2007 04:37:08
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Steel Raleigh calipers and the modern gentleman
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On Jul 20, 11:28 pm, A Muzi <a...@yellowjersey.org > wrote:
> landotter wrote:
> > So I got fed up with the vintage 600 caliper I'd used on the Sprite,
> > as it was a bitch to center, and shined up the chrome steel original
> > caliper and swapped it back to stock. Ya know, I've always sneered a
> > bit at such calipers--but fact of the matter is--the Raleigh calipers
> > are very well made, very stiff, and easy to center. It's just the
> > Wally World bikes that had brakes that looked like them that truly
> > sucked.
>
> > Very good then. Put some slightly used Kool Stop Continentals on. Put
> > about 4mm of washers behind the pad--as the original brake shoes are
> > very thick. It's still not as thick as the originals, so the caliper
> > spring is compressed more when open that in the original
> > configuration. I'm also using Tektro levers set in the "canti" pull
> > position, as I really can't stand Raleigh "self adjusting" levers.
>
> > Braking is quite good at either end, but requires a strong paw. Hey,
> > this is my pusillanimous ride--I want brake feel fitting for a fey
> > rider toting a Pimm's cocktail in a bota bag. Would reducing the
> > spring tension help? Does having the calipers slightly more closed
> > with a modern pad affect anything more than adding extra spring
> > tension? Any guesses as to if the cable pull on old Raleigh levers is
> > similar to modern stuff for cantis? Rims are aluminum.
>
> Agree. Those are great calipers, once set up properly with decent
> cables & pads. Yes, 'normal' ( not 'linear') levers.
Decent cables? Snort--I do still have the waffle housings on with new
cables. I should replace them with modern lined stuff. I I know it
will help the feel, but I'll miss the waffles.
>
> The Raleigh SAB lever won the Queen's Award to Industry. Ya gotta wonder
> what lost - a Lucas fuel pump maybe?
>
He he. That said, the Lockheed brakes on my '68 Saab were pretty darn
nice. That nasty lever--gack. I replace those and the chrome rims on
the Raleighs I run into and pass along. New rims, levers, tires, and a
chain--about $100 makes any old caliper braked Raleigh into a real
champ of a utility bike.
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Date: 20 Jul 2007 23:28:32
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: Steel Raleigh calipers and the modern gentleman
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landotter wrote:
> So I got fed up with the vintage 600 caliper I'd used on the Sprite,
> as it was a bitch to center, and shined up the chrome steel original
> caliper and swapped it back to stock. Ya know, I've always sneered a
> bit at such calipers--but fact of the matter is--the Raleigh calipers
> are very well made, very stiff, and easy to center. It's just the
> Wally World bikes that had brakes that looked like them that truly
> sucked.
>
> Very good then. Put some slightly used Kool Stop Continentals on. Put
> about 4mm of washers behind the pad--as the original brake shoes are
> very thick. It's still not as thick as the originals, so the caliper
> spring is compressed more when open that in the original
> configuration. I'm also using Tektro levers set in the "canti" pull
> position, as I really can't stand Raleigh "self adjusting" levers.
>
> Braking is quite good at either end, but requires a strong paw. Hey,
> this is my pusillanimous ride--I want brake feel fitting for a fey
> rider toting a Pimm's cocktail in a bota bag. Would reducing the
> spring tension help? Does having the calipers slightly more closed
> with a modern pad affect anything more than adding extra spring
> tension? Any guesses as to if the cable pull on old Raleigh levers is
> similar to modern stuff for cantis? Rims are aluminum.
Agree. Those are great calipers, once set up properly with decent
cables & pads. Yes, 'normal' ( not 'linear') levers.
The Raleigh SAB lever won the Queen's Award to Industry. Ya gotta wonder
what lost - a Lucas fuel pump maybe?
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
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Date: 20 Jul 2007 23:13:58
From: * * Chas
Subject: Re: Steel Raleigh calipers and the modern gentleman
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In the 1980's Lucas tried to get into the newly burgeoning PC market, but
they discontinued the product when they couldn make it leak oil.
Chas.
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Date: 20 Jul 2007 23:06:19
From: * * Chas
Subject: Re: Steel Raleigh calipers and the modern gentleman
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"A Muzi" <am@yellowjersey.org > wrote in message
news:13a32s18qdavr38@corp.supernews.com...
> landotter wrote:
> > So I got fed up with the vintage 600 caliper I'd used on the Sprite,
> > as it was a bitch to center, and shined up the chrome steel original
> > caliper and swapped it back to stock. Ya know, I've always sneered a
> > bit at such calipers--but fact of the matter is--the Raleigh calipers
> > are very well made, very stiff, and easy to center. It's just the
> > Wally World bikes that had brakes that looked like them that truly
> > sucked.
> >
> > Very good then. Put some slightly used Kool Stop Continentals on. Put
> > about 4mm of washers behind the pad--as the original brake shoes are
> > very thick. It's still not as thick as the originals, so the caliper
> > spring is compressed more when open that in the original
> > configuration. I'm also using Tektro levers set in the "canti" pull
> > position, as I really can't stand Raleigh "self adjusting" levers.
> >
> > Braking is quite good at either end, but requires a strong paw. Hey,
> > this is my pusillanimous ride--I want brake feel fitting for a fey
> > rider toting a Pimm's cocktail in a bota bag. Would reducing the
> > spring tension help? Does having the calipers slightly more closed
> > with a modern pad affect anything more than adding extra spring
> > tension? Any guesses as to if the cable pull on old Raleigh levers is
> > similar to modern stuff for cantis? Rims are aluminum.
>
> Agree. Those are great calipers, once set up properly with decent
> cables & pads. Yes, 'normal' ( not 'linear') levers.
>
> The Raleigh SAB lever won the Queen's Award to Industry. Ya gotta wonder
> what lost - a Lucas fuel pump maybe?
>
> --
> Andrew Muzi
A Lucas lighting system with "positive earth".
The Lucas motto: "Get home before dark."
Lucas denies having invented darkness. But they do still have a claim to
"sudden, unexpected darkness."
Lucas -- inventor of the first intermittent wiper.
Lucas -- inventor of the self-dimming headlamp.
The three-position Lucas switch -- DIM, FLICKER and OFF.
The other three switch settings -- SMOKE, SMOLDER and IGNITE.
The original anti-theft devices -- Lucas Electric products.
Back in the '70s Lucas decided to diversify its product line and began
manufacturing vacuum cleaners. It was the only product they offered which
didn't suck.
Why do the English drink warm beer? Lucas makes refrigerators, too.
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Thomas Edison invented the
light bulb. Joseph Lucas invented the short circuit.
Recommended procedure before taking on a repair of Lucas equipment: check
the position of the stars, kill a chicken and walk three times sunwise
around your car chanting: "Oh mighty Prince of Darkness protect your
unworthy servant."
Chas.
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Date: 21 Jul 2007 15:39:34
From: still me
Subject: Re: Steel Raleigh calipers and the modern gentleman
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On Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:06:19 -0700, "* * Chas"
<verktygjunk@aol.spamski.com > wrote:
>A Lucas lighting system
<snip Lucas funnies >
Very good Chas. I will have to send that over to my buddy with the MG
(and the dual Stromburgs, and, well you know... . It's Saturday, so
I'm sure he's "barking up his knuckles with the 3/8" spanner" as we
speak).
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Date: 21 Jul 2007 11:14:50
From: Tom \Johnny Sunset\ Sherman
Subject: Re: Steel Raleigh calipers and the modern gentleman
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"still me" wrote:
> On Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:06:19 -0700, "* * Chas"
> <verktygjunk@aol.spamski.com> wrote:
>
>
>> A Lucas lighting system
>
>
> <snip Lucas funnies>
>
> Very good Chas. I will have to send that over to my buddy with the MG
> (and the dual Stromburgs...
One Stromberg carburetor is bad enough.
--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
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Date: 21 Jul 2007 10:54:07
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: Steel Raleigh calipers and the modern gentleman
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> "* * Chas" <verktygjunk@aol.spamski.com> wrote:
>> A Lucas lighting system
> <snip Lucas funnies>
still me wrote:
> Very good Chas. I will have to send that over to my buddy with the MG
> (and the dual Stromburgs, and, well you know... . It's Saturday, so
> I'm sure he's "barking up his knuckles with the 3/8" spanner" as we
> speak).
Strombergs?? Maybe you can send him a pair of real SUs for his birthday.
The bells polish up nicely with Simichrome.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
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Date: 21 Jul 2007 16:30:13
From: still me
Subject: Re: Steel Raleigh calipers and the modern gentleman
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On Sat, 21 Jul 2007 10:54:07 -0500, A Muzi <am@yellowjersey.org >
wrote:
>still me wrote:
>> Very good Chas. I will have to send that over to my buddy with the MG
>> (and the dual Stromburgs, and, well you know... . It's Saturday, so
>> I'm sure he's "barking up his knuckles with the 3/8" spanner" as we
>> speak).
>
>Strombergs?? Maybe you can send him a pair of real SUs for his birthday.
>The bells polish up nicely with Simichrome.
You know... now that you mention it, I think they were SU's. It's been
so many years that when I saw his hood up, I looked and Stromberg came
to mind. I'll have to look again some time. I was much more of a Weber
array guy - another carb that was difficult, but actually possible, to
get balanced :-)
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Date: 21 Jul 2007 07:39:54
From: jim beam
Subject: Re: Steel Raleigh calipers and the modern gentleman
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* * Chas wrote:
<snip for clarity >
> Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Thomas Edison invented the
> light bulb. Joseph Lucas invented the short circuit.
funny!
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