80's Cruiser - Brakes

[KTMsm]

I recently bought an 80's cruiser (to sell on) I've no experience of old bikes nor cruisers, it has a 2 pot brake with solid disc and a rear drum

The front brake is pathetic, the rear drum is more effective - I presume it's seized but I thought I'd just check if "that's how they are" before I start as the last owner of 10+ years has been using it and swears that's how it's always been.

It has extended forks an a narrow front tyre, I know the front brakes can't be good because of this

To put it into context if a car stopped remotely quickly at 40, you'd be in the back of it but I am used to KTMs where two fingers will lift the rear wheel

[Cylon2007]

I wouldn't expect and old cruisers brakes to be anywhere near as good as a current KTM, however any braking system will always beneifit from a good overhaul, braided lines and new pads so I'd do that anyway.

[KTMsm]

It's had a brake overhaul within 500 miles albeit 2 years ago

New pistons etc

I suppose my OP should be - on an 80s cruiser is the rear drum brake usually as good as if not better than the front disc ?

Edited by KTMsm on Thursday 10th June 08:43

[Stuart Fordyce]

Bear in mind that they are basically designed for the US market where a lot of states don't teach using the front brake at all. You had to do their version of the IAM for that. So probably is pish. When I was instructing in London you would get the odd American and a CBT was the most instruction they'd had.

[black-k1]

As the wheelbase and the fork angle lengthen, so the relative effectiveness of the rear brake, compared to the front improves. While I couldn't say if the brakes are working to their optimum on your bike the fact that you perceive a greater effect from the rear brake is to be expected.

[KTMsm]

Thanks I was just checking that it could be believable, which it seems it is, I've got to pop to my local bike shop for some parts tomorrow I'll get him to stick it on his brake tester - just didn't want to if it was definitely defective