Weissman brakes

[afl2]

Thanks for replying.
I can by hand close the calipers
I can loosen the nuts at the front believing they would loosen the pressure on the calipers but no joy there either.
So not having any joy.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Thanks for replying.
I can by hand close the calipers
I can loosen the nuts at the front believing they would loosen the pressure on the calipers but no joy there either.
So not having any joy.

If you can by hand close the calipers, are you able to install them centred (i.e. with both pads equal distance from the rim)? If so with the wheel off do the two sides have vastly different sprung resistance?

 

[afl2]

No sadly one side is always further than the other.

 

[Dan B]

I massively improved braking performance on my 80s racer by replacing the Weinmann capliers with Tektro ones. On my bike that was the R559, but that was a frame built for 27" wheels that I'd replaced with 700s, so you may not need as deep a drop.

Obviously if personal preference and/or cash says you have to use period components then this option is not for you, but I was operating under neither of those constraints and have not regretted spending the money

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

No sadly one side is always further than the other.

Actually this is the bit I don't understand - as far as I can tell these calipers are fixed in position by the nut behind the forks/bridge, and you can rotate the assembly to whatever angle you wish (until it is centred) before tightening that nut - why is it impossible to stop one side being always further than the other (before the lever is pulled)? As I mentioned before, for these brakes there is no requirement for the two brake blocks to hit the rim at the same time when the lever is pulled.

 

[afl2]

here is the brake broken down.
Wiping clean and reassemble should do it but that does not.
Is there a time limit to the spring that operates the brake?

Thanks for all your replies. Have done another strip down and clean of the brake.
Reassembled and put pads on and now both sides are pulling!!!
it appears that stripping and cleaning have had the right effect.
Lesson learnt, patience.
thanks all