Ironhead brake questions
#1
02-26-2018, 08:46 PM
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Ironhead brake questions
I am working on a 1981 ironhead hardtail build. I have a springer front end with a disc brake. My question is will a earlier year drum brake set up work on a 81 motor stock brake pedal? I know i will have to change the rear wheel etc, which my next question is the new frame is being built to same width of the stock swingarm,so will an earlier year ironhead drum brake and wheel fit? I really like the old school look of the drum brake. And lastly, is this a safety issue, I know the drum brakes dont stop on a dime but I was hoping to compensate with the front disc? Any suggestions,advice and know how is greatly appreciated. Thanks
#2
02-27-2018, 07:34 AM
The last year for rear drum brake was 1978. 1979 to 1981 have the same rear disc brake setup, 79-83 have the same dual front disc brake setup.
Some years the rear drum works with a cable [75-76, 77-78], other years it works with a rod [54-66, 57-74], and there are two different setups for each as indicated by the year ranges. With any of the four choices you would have to "get creative" to make the linkage work with the 1981 brake pedal.
True enough that the drum brakes are not very good. But it means that you just have to adjust expectations like we all have done for the past several decades. It is not a safety issue IMO.
The front disc brakes for those years are not very good, even tho they are dual - it is well known that the earlier and later single front disc brakes are much better. This is just an interesting note unless you are planning on using the stock 79-83 front brake setup.
What is the front disc brake setup that comes with the springer front end? Some of those from the past were built for looks only with the brakes being quite useless. If it has a more modern disc brake system then it should be quite good.
I do not know about the swingarm width.
The 79-81 rear swingarm is a popular upgrade for the 78 and earlier bikes for owners who want to upgrade to a rear disc brake. These used swingarms are getting harder to find and have a higher cost. Of course you don't need one, so this is just an interesting note.
Some years the rear drum works with a cable [75-76, 77-78], other years it works with a rod [54-66, 57-74], and there are two different setups for each as indicated by the year ranges. With any of the four choices you would have to "get creative" to make the linkage work with the 1981 brake pedal.
True enough that the drum brakes are not very good. But it means that you just have to adjust expectations like we all have done for the past several decades. It is not a safety issue IMO.
The front disc brakes for those years are not very good, even tho they are dual - it is well known that the earlier and later single front disc brakes are much better. This is just an interesting note unless you are planning on using the stock 79-83 front brake setup.
What is the front disc brake setup that comes with the springer front end? Some of those from the past were built for looks only with the brakes being quite useless. If it has a more modern disc brake system then it should be quite good.
I do not know about the swingarm width.
The 79-81 rear swingarm is a popular upgrade for the 78 and earlier bikes for owners who want to upgrade to a rear disc brake. These used swingarms are getting harder to find and have a higher cost. Of course you don't need one, so this is just an interesting note.
Last edited by IronMick; 02-27-2018 at 07:36 AM.
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