Tight Universal 61 centerpull pivot
04-08-09 | 08:46 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
Likes: 4,825
From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Tight Universal 61 centerpull pivot
so I noticed that my front brake was acting funny, so I tried lubing it. That didn't really fix anything, so I loosened the pivot bolt, and everything was fine. I rode it home with the pivot bolt a little loose, which worked except it squealed. I'm afraid if I take it apart, I will not be able to put it back together again because of the springs. Anyone have some words of advice.
04-08-09 | 09:17 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Chattanooga
Bikes: '93 Bridgestone RB-1, '91 Specialized Allez Epic, '85 Raleigh Team Pro, '78 Andre Bertin, early '90s F. Moser Leader AX , '85 Centurion Equipe, '98 Litespeed Tuscany, '89 Klein Quantum, '80 Nishiki Superbe, '83 Peckham, '84 Fuji Opus III
No need for fear. They're easily broken down and rebuilt. Sometimes that's the only way to diagnose and solve a problem. Just be careful to note the order of assembly of the parts. Clean, lube and recenter will probably fix you right up.
"Acting funny" is not adequate descriptive information.
"Acting funny" is not adequate descriptive information.
so I noticed that my front brake was acting funny, so I tried lubing it. That didn't really fix anything, so I loosened the pivot bolt, and everything was fine. I rode it home with the pivot bolt a little loose, which worked except it squealed. I'm afraid if I take it apart, I will not be able to put it back together again because of the springs. Anyone have some words of advice.
04-08-09 | 09:48 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
Likes: 4,825
From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Sorry about the description. The rider's right side arm was sticking -- I believe that's the arm that sits behind the other arm. Bike felt like a new bike after I loosened up the pivot bolt, but I can't leave it that way.
I'm still concerned about reinstalling the spring, tension seems pretty high.
I'm still concerned about reinstalling the spring, tension seems pretty high.
04-09-09 | 09:52 AM
#4
Chrome Freak
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Kuna, ID
Bikes: 71 Chrome Paramount P13-9, 73 Opaque Blue Paramount P15, 74 Blue Mink Raleigh Pro, 91 Waterford Paramount, Holland Titanium x2
The spring can easily be released by carefully using pliers or a suitable equivalent.
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1971 Paramount P-13 Chrome
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1971 Paramount P-13 Chrome
1973 Paramount P-15 Opaque Blue
1974 Raleigh Professional Blue Mink
1991 Waterford Paramount
Holland Titanium Dura Ace Group
Holland Titanium Ultegra Triple Group
04-09-09 | 03:29 PM
#5
FalconLvr
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: SW Virginia
Bikes: 62 Falcon, 58 Raleigh Lenton Gran Prix, 74 Raleigh Pro, 75 Raleigh Int, 75 Raleigh Comp, 76 Colnago Super, 75 Crescent, 80 Peugeot PX10, plus others too numerous to mention!
If it is pivot bolt making it act strange when tightened down, perhaps a spacing washer or 2 would ease the "bind".
04-09-09 | 10:47 PM
#6
Otherwise, I have an NOS set of Mod.61 calipers for sale. Come complete with headset washer hanger with Q/R and seatlug bolt hanger with Q/R.
04-09-09 | 11:07 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
Likes: 4,825
From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Turns out it's the outside washer that says Universal on it. It's extruded in such a way that it binds on the other washer. The inner washer is supposed to be keyed, but that doesn't seem to be working.
04-10-09 | 08:23 AM
#8
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04-10-09 | 11:12 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
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From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
upgrade to what? This whole bike was put together as an act of whimsy, the Universals were part of that. But I thought they were pretty good brakes. They do seem to stop me pretty well. I was thinking about brazing on some cantis, but that means a re-paint.
04-10-09 | 12:11 PM
#10
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I was talking like a LBS...
04-10-09 | 01:55 PM
#11
CroMosexual
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 658
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From: Murray, Ky
I'm just teasing of course
My experience is that there are no springs on a bike so strong that they can't easily be reset by hand. Good luck!
04-10-09 | 01:59 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
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From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
I didn't end up taking it apart very far once I saw what was really causing the problem.
