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Hi,
What diameter cable are you folks using for the front brakes?
I made up new cables using 2mm cable, it is not the lightest feel.
Regards

Aye Alex,

Will measure up and post here the cable dimensions that I am using on the 450 MKIII front brake that is the same as yours.

I am using Ducati brake shoes re-lined by 'Safetek' and finished to the internal drum diameters that I supplied them. The stopping power cannot be compared with a disc brake set-up, but I am able to anchor up in short order and the material doesn't have any "warm-up" delays that can occur if using racing brake materials on a road bike in an urban situation. Girling AM4 used to be the lining of choice for the race track, but it's asbestos content makes it obsolete these days.

Here is Safetek's link: Safetek_classic_vehicle_friction_applications

I buy my cable supplies from Venhill, you may choose to purchase ready made cables direct from them.

Here is the Venhill link : Venhill_cables_and_components

Good health, Bill

Morning Alex,

Venhill's '1.5mm 1 x 19 galvanised wire strand, inner wire'. Along with Venhill's 5mm outer, with a 'Teflon' liner.

DO NOT USE 'WIRE ROPE'! Whilst this may be more flexible than 'wire strand' inner wire, it also stretches so giving you a spongy brake!

I know that many would advise using the '2mm 1 x 19 galvanised wire strand, inner wire'. But, I don't think that I am going to be putting any where near 0.64KN (472ft/lb) of force through the front brake. However, I am open to comment.

I also have a clevis arrangement for attaching the wire to the brake arm, rather than looping the wire around a pin that I have frequently seen. That doesn't do the wire strands any good.

Hope this helps. Bill

Thanks Bill,

I also bought my cable components from Venhill but I chosse 2mm rather than 1.5, I'll go down to 1.5.
I can use one of the heavyweight front cables to make a new longer rear cable...if I need it.
I will be fitting the std footrests but I can't see what the original mounting looked like as my bike seems to only have half the bracket there.
I could use the rearset cable mounting but with a longer run of inner cable.
Does your bike have the original cable mounting intact, I would like to see a photo if poss.
Here are pics of the set up on my bike, not sure what they cut off from the original front mounting, could not be more than 10mm

Regards
Alex

Afternoon Alex,

I performed the same "butchery" on my frame to remove the stop lamp switch and brake cable retainer! However, I also removed the rear brake pedal pivot! :roll

I have a frame that has not been butchered, so will try and get you some measurements for the bent bit of metal that has been cut away to the rear of the pivot on your bike. You could, cut the rearset one from the rear tube on yours and then reweld it in place of the missing angled piece, without the long bracing piece. Looks as though it came out of Sullom Voe!

Regards, Bill

caveman engineering

Photo of my 1975 Ducati 250 Mk3 rear brake lever. I have owned this bike from new and can confirm that it is unmolested. The brake cable is original. The brake light switch is not but it is OEM spec. Hope this helps

Perfect thanks

themoudie wrote:I also have a clevis arrangement for attaching the wire to the brake arm

Hello Bill,
How is your clevis attached to the cable inner?

This is my arrangement, like Bill I am not a lover of solder-less screw on nipples. I made a flanged barrel and a long solder on nipple.
I also made a clamp on one for the clutch which does not damage the cable.