We are all aware of the SLS brake problems on our Norton's IE the tendency for the trailing shoe to bite first thus giving a poor brake. I'm my opinion the underlying fault is the fact that the cam moves the trailing shoe more than the leading shoe. There are various remedies for this problem ie, modify the linings, more clearance on the cam spindle, reversing the lever etc.etc.
A bit of rough, simple trig calculation shows that the difference in motion of the two shoes for a 1 Deg angle (measured from brake shoe fulcrum to either side of the closed cam) is around 0.010 in favour of the trailing shoe. This will always disadvantage the efficiency of the leading shoe. Repeated re centering will initially effect a cure but the problem will always persist.
What about swapping over the fork legs and re assembling the brake at the nearside? The leading shoe then becomes "boss" IE the cam is imparting most movement to the leading shoe and I would have thought that this would cure this everlasting problem.
What are other members thoughts on this?
I know this won't work for the show guy's but a reliable brake is more important to me.
I'm at present trying to cure a particularly bad example of this brake, new linings, good drum etc. I intend to try this mod over the next few days so will post results. If we get any dry weather for a test ride!
Let's hope I don't fly over the bars!
Steve.
I considered this aspect…
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I considered this aspect when i inadvertantly assembled the cams in a TLS cam the wrong way round . I think the extra leverage ratio to the trailing shoe in the SLS is there to counter the the extra work the leading shoe does because of its self servo action. Its clear to me that the leading shoe does most of the work as it wears much faster. I expect there are others here better able to expound the theories behind this. I always check the lining thickness when the brake is appart and fit the thickest shoe to the leading position . A bit of bedding in follows . Other riders with TLS brakes do find me outbraking them with my SLS ,so it must be working ok. I do fit the NOC slippers to reduce slop. And i regularly use a grip exerciser !!.