Front brake problem Laverda 750 SF

[Laverda SLO 750]

Hi.

Since my Laverda has been sitting in the garage for the past 15 years at the previous owner, it obviously needs a bit of refreshing in all areas.

I ran into a problem with the front brake. The lower brake lever wasn’t returning to its position when I released the brake lever, but was stopping about 3-5 mm short of where it should be.

So I decided to remove both the front and rear brakes, clean them, and check the thickness of the brake pads. After reassembling, the rear brake works like new, but the front one is like it’s not even there. The brake lever goes all the way in, but the braking power is only maybe 20% of what it used to be.

If I tighten the brake more, the front wheel starts to brake (it won’t turn freely), but the brake lever still goes all the way in without much effect.

I’m attaching photos where you can see that I can almost press the brake lever all the way with one finger, but there’s no significant braking effect.

Cheers, Mitja

 

[Tippie]

Are you fully applying the brake hard and holding it there while tightening the axle and pinch bolts?

 

[Paul Marx]

Did you check the spindles and bushes when you dismantled the brake? Did you very lightly grease the bushes with some graphite grease? Are the levers totally free to move by hand when the cable is not connected?
Then, use the adjuster on the bottom end of the cable so that front and rear arms are braking, shoes against the drum. Then back off one or two turns on that adjuster, any further adjustment is done at the handlebar lever.

And do as Tippie says to centralise brake plate BEFORE adjusting.

Paul

 

[TeddyG]

Also use a cable oiler and inspect the cable for wear which could cause rust inside of it and lube any moving parts inside the brake hub as mentioned above.

 

[Laverda SLO 750]

Thanks for all your answers. Will try tomorrow to adjust. I have lubricated all moving parts with ATE brake grease and clean all the parts. What is the minimum thicness of the brake pad that is still good to use and how thick is a new one?