hey everyone,

i just bought a pair of 1980's golden arrow shimano brakes like the ones in this picture:

https://www.velobase.com/ViewSingleCo...af109&Enum=117

i need some help installing them as i can't figure how the brake cable should be attached to the quick release system....

could someone walk me through it?

thanks a lot!

zander

The QR system on those is not "static," which means it can't sit in a partial position; it's either open (loosened) or closed (riding position). This affects how you attach and adjust the cable.

You should see the place where the cable slides through and is clamped to the holder.
Find a way to hold the brakes pretty much against the rim, I sometimes use popsicle sticks for spacers between the brake shoe and the rim. Pull the cable through with the QR in the down, or closed position. Make sure cable tension is pretty tight, but not taut, and there is no play in the levers. Tighten the clamp, then simply let go of the calipers. Any slack in the cable should go away and the shoes should come away from the rim a bit. Then, when you pull the brake levers, you will see how close you are to proper adjustment. 8/10 times, I'm right on at this point.

I use a springy thing called a "third hand" to hold the brake calipers closed, but I've gotten to where I can do it with one hand and pull cable and tighten with the other.

Thanks Robbie,

should the cable be attached to the inner side of the QR (closest to the brake pad), or to the outside of the QR?

If I remember right, outside for leverage.

Sorry to drag up an old topic but I am being defeated by the Golden Arrow brake cable installation I am trying to do. I've read the thread but can't seem to solve the puzzle and wonder if anyone has a close up photo of both sides of the front or rear brake with the cable installed so I can figure out the correct cable routing to get the quick release to function properly. Thanks for your help.

It's so simple that I don't know how you could possibly do it wrong. It seems like Shimano struggled with QR design. The ones one my First generation Dura Ace brakes have never worked correctly. The front one is OK but the rear one just turns and doesn't release, even when I swap front to back. I suppose it has to do with the amount of cable tension. The QRs on my 600 brakes work great, but they're obviously a direct copy of Campy NR/SR.