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Brake shoes

Posted by Expat Stu <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Expat+Stu' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 1, 2025, 4:06 pm

The front forks on my latest project (no, the previous one isn't finished!) had been leaking oil for some time and now I have found the oil has contaminated the brake shoes.

Is there a way to clean them? It seems they are a really weird size and no-one has them.

Re: Brake shoes

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 1, 2025, 4:13 pm, in reply to "Brake shoes"

There are probably lots of suggestions on the net, but I have never had any success.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Brake shoes

Posted by the old one <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=the+old+one' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 1, 2025, 4:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Brake shoes"

about 40 + yrs ago , at a factory I worked at , we had machines that had asbestos shoes , that got impregnated with oil
those were very expensive , and took weeks to reline , we (not me personally) used to clean them in Carbon tetrachloride , this was also used in some fire astonishers , the stuff is banned now in UK , but you can probably buy it from temu or ali express

as a side note , I worked for a company in bolton that used to do vehicle brake shoe relines (mainly commercial) , we used to reline the brake shoes on most of the rides (big dipper) at blackpool pleasure beach

Link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156783424094?_skw=Carbon+tetrachloride&itmmeta=01K902GBATV6E4EQ71XNR6F0E4&hash=item248105325e:g:5P0AAeSw2Glnz4EL&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cvSGT3C2KJXSSyX8bpBlF81xf7XXtr5iMpuvHdFGJSEertDS042fRS0jn0rNW9JGmx8abjoRofXG0uKsZvGwaWaPy5egrZdUqJhdzTnprTyAAXdWVeeaRowN3DwPwCN8V0XiCSDGBqpbxugXGXbMZwy%2BdvMzbkEYWGae3ywTdJDb68krGgRRyWQgpw%2FtWPWS7I8r9Q9Uo19rwLP6l3W2V5U8UH6VBbMlAF7lTur2PEqhpkyZrObbXRiDZRa2LkjBS5bXMsWCXAm3iSQ0wYkvp9JHunttMFoxT6dfwkMoZK0A%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-S1wYLIZg

Re: Brake shoes

Posted by ChazzyB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=ChazzyB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 1, 2025, 5:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Brake shoes"

There's a reason Carbon Tet is no longer used - it kills people slowly.

To advertise here, please call...

Re: Brake shoes

Posted by A65Bill <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=A65Bill' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 5, 2025, 3:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Brake shoes"

Agreed. Oily brakes achieve the same result more quickly

Re: Brake shoes

Posted by Nigel B <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Nigel+B' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 1, 2025, 5:18 pm, in reply to "Brake shoes"

Not much other than commerciallly available brake cleaning solvent available these days AFAIK

Mrs B's R65LS used to be a bit incontinent in the rear brake department (the cam passes through the bevel box) & was improved by liberal application of brake cleaner using paper towels. Kept repeating until the towels came away clean. Got the brake working as well as it ever does. Sorted the cause of the problem eventually (BMW being "generous" with clearnace bewteen cam shaft & bushes) so not had to do it for a while. IIRC these shoes are unique to the LS model (larger diameter than the standard R65) so not that easy to come by (though EBC does make them) hence cleaning them up.

I have used Saftek for relining shoes for my MZ in the past. Cheaper at the time than buying new EBC replacement shoes & they work fine. Interestingly when the technician looked at the original linings the first thing he said was that the material was too hard for the application, indicated by them being glazed / polished. They have different grades of lining material & recommended one more suitable for the application. I provided a backplate & they turned the new linings on the back plate to get the correct radius. I used their Cleckheaton branch, though they are also in Telford.

Nigel B.

Re: Brake shoes

Posted by Jimbo <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Jimbo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 1, 2025, 8:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Brake shoes"

Villiers Services, excellent, quick turnaround and half the price of Saftek.

Re: Brake shoes

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 1, 2025, 10:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Brake shoes"

That toxic cleaner was known as trike. Tri- chloroethane. I was given cans to use at work then it was taken away a few years later.
I would use carb or brake cleaner on shoes now.

Re: Brake shoes

Reminded me of some stuff we used to clean Printed Circuit Boards back when I was an apprentice, it was called Arklone.

Just looked it up and found "..... its main component, 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113), was phased out globally due to its environmental impact and was replaced by safer alternatives"

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Brake shoes

Posted by JERRY <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=JERRY' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 1, 2025, 11:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Brake shoes"

Used to use that all the time in my early electronic production days.

The oldest rocker in town!

Re: Brake shoes

Chloro flouro carbons were used in light fitting capacitors in the 60s. They used to leak and cleaners sometimes wiped it up. Many developed cancers. I must have been in contact with it on occasions until i was told the harm it does.
Look up CFCs

Re: Brake shoes

Posted by Expat Stu <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Expat+Stu' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 2, 2025, 9:23 am, in reply to "Re: Brake shoes"

Thanks everyone. I think relining the best bet, I will email the 2 companies mentioned.

Re: Brake shoes

Villiers Services, excellent, quick turnaround and half the price of Saftek.

Good to know of alternatives, Jimbo.

I doubt VS would have worked out more cost-effective for me after I had paid postage both ways compared to dropping the parts in at Saftek and picking them up a couple of days later (they were ready next day, but I couldn't get back to collect them then). Appreciate that not everyone has that option, though.

Nigel B.

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