I have a low end but interesting old Torpado that had 27" wheels when I bought it. I am going to use it for a classy towny with 700C wheels and a Sturmey-Archer rear hub. Interestingly, the rear brake reaches a 700C whee l with no issues but the front is really too short. I see that they are different lengths, so I would like to swap the front I have for a longer on e like in back. Mine have blue paint in the "Universal 61" stamping, not sur e if they are all like this. Please let me know if you have one of the longe r ones in good condition and would like to trade for a short one. Thanks in advance :^)
Doug Van Cleve Chandler, AZ
On 12/26/05, Harvey M Sachs <sachshm@cox.net> wrote:
>
> Raymond Dobbins wrote, and I snip:
>
>
> btw, this is the oldest bike i've ever owned, and it is the first time
i
> set up universal model 61 calipers. i've only set up the rear so far, an
d
> in doing so i noticed that the brake pads, even at their lowest position,
> are just barely low enough to hit the rim sidewalls without hitting the
> tire. is it possible that this bike was designed for 27" wheels? is the
re
> a dropbolt that i can use to lower the caliper?
>
> In addition to the two lengths of Universal 61 brakes noted by John
> Barron, here are a couple of hints:
> 1) I've picked up a couple of mm once in a while by using a rattail file
> on the brake pad slots, extending them downward a couple of mm. Also,
> extend the hole in the bridge up a couple of mm, making it a slot, and yo
u
> gain some length.
>
> 2) Thou shalt never bend a Universal arm. It will just snap.
>
> your mileage may vary.
>
> harvey sachs
> mcLean va