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need a little help

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Old 05-30-12 | 01:00 AM
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Bikes: Forest Green Dahon Boardwalk

need a little help

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www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/821678-need-a-little-help-with-brakes

Thanks!
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Old 05-30-12 | 06:48 AM
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Here is the OPs posting from the Folding Bikes forum.

[h=2]need a little help with brakes[/h]
I acquired an OBVIOUSLY older dahon, but not only do I not know what model it is(or build year), but I need help with the brakes. Attached to this post(or in reply to it), you will find pics of both the bike and the brakes(sorry about the quality, I can't find my Real Camera).

Anyway, the brakes are a belt putting resistance on a drum, but they keep loosening up on me. Last week I was going down a hill and had to use my shoe for brakes half way down. Anyone here know what vintage this bike might be or know much about this brake system? Local LBS owner and I will(at some point) take the wheel off and attempt to determine the issue, but I thought I'd put out a request here too.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!







Have you opened the brake housing and cleaned/inspected everything? I would check with Dahon and see if they still make that brake and parts and get a new belt.

Otherwise check with them about new wheels.
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Old 05-30-12 | 09:07 AM
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This kind of brake is notoriously poor, but I haven't heard of one "loosening up," and I'm not sure what you mean by that. You mean you adjust it and it works for a while, but then it gets worse? One thing to check might be whether, for some reason, a barrel adjuster is not getting set and is working its way loose. Good luck.
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Old 05-30-12 | 12:10 PM
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Opening/cleaning was inevitable(simple once wheel is removed), and the barrel adjuster(one near brake itself, brake lever, original to bike doesn't have one) seems to be staying in place.
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Old 05-30-12 | 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by alaskanb3arcub
Opening/cleaning was inevitable(simple once wheel is removed), and the barrel adjuster(one near brake itself, brake lever, original to bike doesn't have one) seems to be staying in place.
So, in fact, you can adjust it so that it works OK, but then the stopping power declines?
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Old 05-30-12 | 01:02 PM
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Correct. I adjust and they get loose withing 2-3 rides, and are nigh useless by 5 rides before re-adjusting.
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Old 05-30-12 | 02:40 PM
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OK what gets loose? does the cable seem like it is slipping.. so when you apply the brake the lever moves closer to the handle bar..... or does the pull of the lever remain the same... but the stopping power of the brake itself fades?


can you post a pic of how the cable attaches to the... to.... whatever the cable goes to make it work
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Old 05-30-12 | 02:58 PM
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Maybe the bands lose their elasticity with age and this one is shot?
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Old 05-30-12 | 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Roll-Monroe-Co
Maybe the bands lose their elasticity with age and this one is shot?
that is sort of what I am thinking, like a cars fanbelt.
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