old guys
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
What do you want to know? Will say this and it comes from many years of experience.Drum brakes compared to modern disc brakes are in a word SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe just maybe today with the aftermarket there may be shoes available that will help some,doubt it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,495
Likes: 3,705
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
As has been pressed home, there is a noticeable difference between disc and drum brakes. My 49 has old style drum brakes front and rear; the 65 standard drum front and hydraulic rear; the 84 disc both ends.
Biggest thing I have learned is that when on either of the old bikes, I think ahead about stopping because it takes longer to get to zero. I also allow myself extra distance (more than normal) between vehicles for added safety. Think if you are going to ride and older bike you just beed to be more aware and "heads up" because the margin for error is lessened what with more vehicles on the road today.
Biggest thing I have learned is that when on either of the old bikes, I think ahead about stopping because it takes longer to get to zero. I also allow myself extra distance (more than normal) between vehicles for added safety. Think if you are going to ride and older bike you just beed to be more aware and "heads up" because the margin for error is lessened what with more vehicles on the road today.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
This is a bit off subject but a guy I was talking to a month or so ago was telling me about a setup he saw and I'd like to check it out. He said he was at a swap meet and some guy was selling a disc brake that was disguised to look like an old drum for the front wheel. Sounds like it was a smaller disc that was hidden under a faux drum.
Anyone know anything about this?
Anyone know anything about this?
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,394
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
You have think about stopping long before you actually want to with drum breaks , there is no grab and stop with them and a little rain you'll blow through a stop light or two getting it figured out .
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Not old, but I have a 93 cb750 with drums on the rear and discs on the front. If I found myself needing to stop quickly I just went ahead and expected the rear to lock up and prepared for it. Sometimes it happened and sometimes it didn't no matter how hard I tried for it not to. In a phrase, drums aren't bad, just scary as hell.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,613
Likes: 7,087
From: SoCal / AZ
I was a kid racing motocross when bikes started switching over from drums to discs. The first time I raced on a bike with disc (front only) I was amazed that the brakes did not fad during the race, and that getting wet did not effect them. When they went to front and rear disc it was a game changer (it also made it alot easier to put on new rims / tires). I can't imagine riding with drums now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,281
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
Thanks for reminding me that I'm old. When I was young I had a Norton with drums. I changed out the stock shoes for racing type shoes, I think they were Ferodo. It was a big improvement except they didn't work the best until they were warmed up.