Currently trying to fit a modern brake to 27" forks wearing a 700c wheel. Naturally, they don't reach and the old diacompe currently being used is right up there with dragging your shoe on the front tyre.

Options include buying new forks or buying a long reach front brake - both are pricey in this country and I don't really have the money to spend on this bike anyway.

Now, bearing in mind that I already have a pair of rather nice dual pivot brakes, and I don't have any money, I'm looking at making a mount to lower the caliper.

Has anyone done this?

I'm thinking along the lines of mounting a piece of 2mm steel strapping front and rear of the fork using the existing mounting holes. The caliper's mounting bolt will go just under the fork bridge so I shouldn't have problems with that bolt pulling the strapping together - not hard to fit a spacer if I do. Done neatly, it shouldn't look too bad.

Any thoughts or experiences?

BTW, neither of the bikes in my signature will be getting this - the Hillbrick is a modern build and the Europa has the Tektro long reach brakes to overcome this very issue. The bike in question will soon appear in the townie thread

Tried new pads on that old Diacompe?

google is your friend...
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/home-drop.html

I haven't at this point and yes, that will make a difference (certainly a good immediate move) however I will be towing a trailer so want a decent front brake.
I'm beginning to wonder if I want to make the bracket just for the exercise

Spent a pleasant afternoon with me Dad while he played with his birthday presents and produced these for me:



2mm steel strapping - plenty stiff enough. Works well