Disc Brake project...
I have worn out another rim due to harsh conditions and brakes that rub on the rim... so I took the plunge and bought one disc brake... the other to follow when I get this one working. The catch is that my bike does not support disc brakes. :(
Below are the pictures with my idea... I will post the results when they are complete. You can click on the images to see the big versions.
The bracket idea is the idea of Kevin Schmidt. :) Feel free to use it for non-profit but let me know. By the way, I have been using it for at least 6 months now without a problem. It works great!!!
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This is the side view of the bike with just the disc on the hub... no brake. Initially the brake rubbed on the frame, however by putting in a washer (1mm thick) between the frame and the hub gave the disc the space it needed to clear the frame. |
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Here is a close up with the brake in the position that it is supposed to be in. You can see that the mounting bracket is parallel with the frame. That should make things a little easier. The bracket that I am envisioning will extend up the frame towards the seat... and down to the quick release bar on the axle. There is also a rack screw just behind the axle that can be used to secure the bracket to the frame. |
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Here is the same shot, just zoomed out a little. When I get a chance I will draw up the bracket I am thinking of. Right now, however, Nathan is sitting on my lap and I am not sure how long he will be happy there. I think the bright monitor is helping entertain him. |
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A top view. Sorry I did not get a chance to clean the bike. It was a great ride on Saturday. From this picture you can see the one tricky thing about the bracket... the frame is angled in towards the centre of the bike... yet the disc is parallel with the bike. That will take some creative spacing to get that solid so that the brake is not continuously rubbing. |
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Back view of the whole assembly. |
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Here is a marked up diagram with my thoughts on the bracket. (very rough) There would be room for spacers between the bracket and the brake that will allow it to be "trued" to the disc. |
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This is the side of the bracket that goes against the frame. Perfectly smooth. |
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This is the side of the bracket that fits against the wheel and is also the side that the brake mounts to. In addition togrinding out where the wheel butts up against the bracket, I also thinned out the metal where the brake mounts so that they are all in line. |
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This is a picture of the bracket and brake on the bike. The little tab on the left will get a pipe clamp on it yet... I just have not got around to putting it on. With the design the way I have it, the only time the clamp is needed would be when I am rolling backwards and then apply the brake since on a forward stop, the bracket is forced against the frame. The tape is just to protect the paint of the bike. (in spite of all the paint missing from other parts of the bike...) |
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Here is the back view. Everything is a tight fit... but the key thing is that it fits! |