kitz

Hello forum! I've probably read something in the archive on this site daily for the last couple of years, finally joined

I have a potentially stupid question that I have been trying to find an answer to, please be gentle! I am assembling my first bike (70s Lejeune!) and ran into a problem mounting the rear brake (Mafac racer) to the frame. The brake has a radiused washer that hugs a round bridge, but my bridge ain't round! I dont have an actual photo right now (can post later today if needed), but my bridge looks a little something like the one pictured below. It's not quite as extreme, but has a square mount on the front and a small cylindrical protrusion on the back):



Can anyone shed some like on how I might mount the brake to my bridge?

Thanks in advance!

big chainring 

You dont need the radiused washer in that case. I would substitute a thick spacer/washer to take its place, just to space it out from the frame. Bike shop should have something, or scavenge one from an old bike.

evwxxx

Yes, regular flat washer/spacer instead of the one with the radius built into it, common for older bikes.

kitz

ahh fantastic (and not so, i like the function of the radiused washer!). Thanks a bunch though, i will try to find a thick washer for the frame side and i suppose the same goes for the other side as well. Much appreciated

Grand Bois

You could always file down the radiused washer. I do things like that when I have too much time on my hands.

Bianchigirll 

what might be better is if you get what we used to call a star washer. it is a bit thinker and the edge if serrated with a rough ridge so it grips a bit better.

kitz

a star washer would be cool functionality wise, but i dont know if I could dig into my bridge like that, not yet!