Lubricated Rear Brake Shoes

[tuftywhite]

Since having had my bike rebuilt (1981 R80g/s) I am now suffering from oil leaking into my rear brake hub from the drive along the brake arm spindle.

Allan Jefferies have added another groove and 'o' ring on the spindle, I've short filled the oil, but still it's leaking.

I'm now worried about there being a world shortage of brake shoes as I'm going through a pair every 150 miles.

Does anybody have any ideas how I can remedy this problem, has anybody had the same issue?

I'd be grateful for any help.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Since having had my bike rebuilt (1981 R80g/s) I am now suffering from oil leaking into my rear brake hub from the drive along the brake arm spindle.

Allan Jefferies have added another groove and 'o' ring on the spindle, I've short filled the oil, but still it's leaking.

I'm now worried about there being a world shortage of brake shoes as I'm going through a pair every 150 miles.

Does anybody have any ideas how I can remedy this problem, has anybody had the same issue?

I'd be grateful for any help.

FFS !! don't replace, just clean with solvent and a blowtorch....
Also try a new spindle as they do go oval..the 2 ring is a lot better than the single..
I also use a very fine brake cylinder honer to clean the spindle hole out.

Another point, are you sure it's not the big fuckoff oilseal shot ???
post pic of backplate..
I've also done a piece of PTF tape on the spindle, then the seals..
did it as a temp repair 25 plus years ago, as far as I know it's still going strong..

 

[Rob Farmer]

Don't bin them! If you fancy a trip over to Loughborough you can throw them in my ultrasonic cleaner - should only take 10-20 minutes to decontaminate them.

It could be the bush at fault. part number 25 - this is supposed to keep the oil in the bevel box if you have an oil leak the bush is leaking. The seals on the arm just prevent moisture creeping along the shaft and corroding the shaft to the bush. I suspect your bush has corroded allowing the bevel box to leak onto the shoes. if this is the case the bevel needs splitting and a new bush installing.

 

[fayeslane]

Wouldn't reckon it would effect rear brake performance much as they had little to start with

 

[(RIP) Proff]

SHIT
I meant the spindle bush >>>

{Also try a new spindlebush as they do go oval..the 2 'O' ring actuator spindle is a lot better than the single.}
I used a piece of thick walled brass tubing, interference fit plus araldite, well it was the 70's, drilled then honed out the center to correct dimensions...

So, So, So long ago and I'm 101 you know with most of my own teef [still]

I'm very lucky in having a top notch toolmaker as a younger brother..

Sadly he now lives in Czech republic

 

[Rob Farmer]

SHIT
I meant the spindle bush >>>

Yeah yeah!!

Cause you did

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Yeah yeah!!

Cause you did

I did actually...
I'm not quite that senile...

 

[stuart jenkins]

I had this problem with mine (82 model), no adding extra o-rings could cure it, as oil eventually got through.
It seem early G/S's weren't fitted with the brake spindle bush until BM' realised they couldn't charge for oil on the brake shoes as an optional extra.
I had mine converted to the latter G/S spec with bush, when i had my bevel box freshened up by Jim Cray in Faversham, and haven't suffered from seepage in two years.
Hope this helps.
Stuart

 

[tuftywhite]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. Rob, I'm intrigued by your ultrasonic cleaner, sounds like something out of Star Trek. I may well take you up on your offer, as you're just down the road.

As I'm not very technical, I may need some help. I'm really good at taking stuff apart ...

I don't think it's the big seal as Allan Jefferies would have noticed that when they took it apart. I think that you may be right in thinking it's a leaky bush!

I shall be in touch again to ask for more help soon. Once it's working again I can attend more stuff and get to meet you all.

 

[Rob Farmer]

You can buy comedy diy ultrasonic cleaners on eBay but they're a joke. Have a look on YouTube for the results you can achieve with proper ultrasonics.
I've also got a mono g/s bevel box stripped down if you want to see what's inside.

 

[jazzmanb]

trip down memory lane used to happen to my 1983 r80g/s owned 1986-91 can,t even remember how i sorted it,think i managed with a stronger seal...

 

[England-Kev]

are you sure the o-rings you have replaced are the correct size? as I was sent some that were too small, bad batch. also when fitting the shaft etc back, did you cover it all in red rubber grease, as this helps a lot.

Cured my leak in one go. rear brake pulls up nicely now.

 

[tuftywhite]

All sorted

Steve at SED in Sleaford has fitted a sleeve for the brake spindle. I have now been able to fill the bevel box with oil (rather than half fill) with no leaking and my brake works again.

I'd recommend Steve, he knew the problem, knew how to fix it, fixed it quickly (within a week) and was extremely reasonably priced.

Thanks for all of your suggestions and tips. Glad to be back on 2 wheels.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Where I work we use industrial ultrasonic cleaners. God, I so need to strip something apart just to clean it.