A few questions about the Brompton brakes
 

A few weeks ago I bought a Brompton and I am very glad I did. I intend to do the maintenance myself and already saw that Brompton has many videos and other technical information about adjustment, maintenance etc. on their website.
It strikes me however that there is hardly any information about the brakes.

Although the bike is still new and no adjustment etc is needed, I would like to know:

1) How do I adjust and fine-tune the brakes if needed ?
2) What are the torque values for the various bolts, being the central mounting bolt (to the fork), the bolt that connects both calipers and the bolt of the brake pads ? I ask this because I am inclined to over tighten bolts and bought a (Topeak) torque wrench because of that.

Btw, I assume that the brakes are not made by Brompton, but are of another brand. Is this true and if so, does anybody know which brand it is ? In that case I can search for a manual for that brand and type of brakes.

Thanks in advance.

Torque values: Try this list and use the ranges as a starting point: http://www.parktool.com/uploads/files/blog/torque.pdf

You don't need a specific manual for these brakes IMHO. I'll let someone else answer #1 .

The pads are made for Brompton by Fibrax.

Meanwhile I saw that the brakes are made by Alhonga, because that is written on the backside of the brakes.
But there seems to be no documentation. Doing a Google search I cannot find a manual or instructions.

Adjusting the brakes is done with a 10mm wrench by pulling/pushing cable through the bolt on the caliper:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=378126

Fine tuning is done with the barrel adjuster on the levers:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=378127

Specifics can be found on Park Tool's site.

I expect they got a contract with one of the Taiwan Manufacturers to make them for the assembly in London
an upside down pull from the bottom dual pivot. the mid 90s they got CLB in France to make them a single pivot then..

warrantee is thru Brompton via your dealer.. get the tech info from them. I wouldn't worry about the Who made them ..

I took out the Fibrax Brake blocks and put salmon Kool Stop Dura 2 inserts in ..

removed set screw on the holder, lets the insert slip out towards the back .

Thanks for the replies.
Great info on the Park Tool site btw.

Good points from dynaryder.

Also there is a small bolt or threaded pin called the centering screw that is on the other side of were the cable attaches, it's pointing down and the head is recessed. You'll need an Alan Key, I forgot what size but it's metric. You can see it at No.6 in the link below which is one of the links from that page full of links that dynaryder provided. If even though you have the brakes centered properly (both sides are the same distance from the rim). When the brakes are engaged, if one pad touches the rim first by too much. You can play with the centering screw to adjust that. Also get a Q-tip and use it to put a tiny dab of grease on the centering screw at the bottom were it bears down on the the other side of the brake. It's hard to get the grease in there, you'll need to push it in. But the brakes will operate more smoothly and you'll avoid creaking noises. Good luck :thumb:

Park Tool Co. » ParkTool Blog » Dual Pivot Brake Service

I'll add to the above: If the "drive-side brake" doesn't return to its initial position after pulling the brake…

1. Use a 10mm spanner to release the brake cable
2. Use a 5mm hex key to slightly loosen the bolt that holds that arm to the caliper: It should now move freely.

It's also a good idea to lubricate the two points of contact shown on the picture.

You can also lubricate the tip of the spring, on the non-drive side of the caliper so that it slides silently.

If you feel like disassembling the caliper, as someone said above, put a dab of grease on the tip of the centering screw so that it rubs freely against the base of the caliper.

In addition, to make sure to leave enough gap between the pads and the rims, slide a piece of paper on each side before tightening the brake cable.

But before all this, make sure the wheel is true, or you'll have to leave some extra clearance between the pads and the rims to compensate.

The brakes on my recent Brompton purchase. The front brake was seized up so I took the caliper apart for cleaning, lube and adjustment.
Alhonga A715A.
Looks like a date code 04 = 2004? 7 dots around = July?
The other arm is 04 with 6 dots (June?)

The Alhonga website has a similar looking dual pivot model 714 listed. I guess the 715 is discontinued and dropped from the website.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d22fcaa4_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...aacac3e0_z.jpg

It also says "A715A" on the front dual pivot caliper brake on mine (along with "13" on the lower right.)

Brompton changed the brake calipers several times in the last years.

What is the manufacturing date of the Brompton on which these calipers were mounted ?