Ariel brakes

[bonny]

A good friend has given me the surplus parts from his b31 project , included in this is a pair of ariel brakes , which are correct for the year of my bike so i want to fit them . Can i get an honest appraisal of these brakes ? they seem to have a less than brilliant reputation , but they can't be so bad surely ? does anyone here use them on there machine ? is there anything i can do to make them better ?

thanks.     

[muskrat]

G,day Bonny,
                      Got'em on the cafe, luv'em. Their only 7" but wider than BSA at 1 1/2" and lighter. I had the shoes re-lined with a material used in truck transmission brakes, a really course weave of asbestos and copper wire ! Stops on a dime.
Cheers

[bonny]

thanks for that muskrat, only problem is i live in ireland and so we are part of the e.u. , and i think they have banned anything made of asbestos , but i can look into it.
you don't happen to know if the rear sprocket is the same on the ariel as the cast iron hub by any chance ? in have one with a bit of use left in it and it would be a shame to waste it.

thanks.

[muskrat]

G'day again Bonny,
                         They are different Ariel type 42-6069 BSA type 42-6333. A bit hard to find and expensive when you do. I modified mine by turning off the teeth and boring out a blank and used 6 screws in scotch key fashion. That way I only need to buy a blank when worn out.
Cheers

[Rocket Racer]

I'm running an ariel type rear hub on my racing chair, no problems. A lovely hub, well made and nicely thought out.
Cant speak for the front type, but few single leading drums are frankly that great with modern traffic, but you should be able to source some decent shoe material with a little research and have brakes that wont be any worse on the front than any other SLS hub.

I must admit I have converted my rear brake to rod operated as I had heard rumours about sponginess in operation of the A10 cable rear brakes (both types). Cant say I notice it. Lovely wide shoes compared to the later iron hubs which have narrow shoes.

I'd stick with them if I were you.

[magicflem]

The front brakes on my 1956 Road Rocket develop a "rubbing sound" as they warm up. I have tried backing the brake setting off and then tightening - if I hold the front brake lever on a little the noise goes away.
What is going on and how do I fix this problem?

[Rocket Racer]

I'm no expert, but suggest you need to inspect and observe.
if for example the springs aren't that good the shoes may not be held true and a little lever pressure will pull the shoes straight before they contact the drum.
If you have old linings remember they may be asbestos based when removing dust. and take a look at shoe wear, are there high spots on one side for example.
If nothing else is evident a wash and reassemble is easy and does no harm. Are the shoes a recent fitting or have been there long term...

The front brakes on my 1956 Road Rocket develop a "rubbing sound" as they warm up. I have tried backing the brake setting off and then tightening - if I hold the front brake lever on a little the noise goes away.
What is going on and how do I fix this problem?

[magicflem]

Thanks Rocket Racer......I will try the wash and new springs.
The shoes have been in place for some years but since I have "played" with front brakes this problem has occurred.