2012 Triumph calendar

Moving on to more important topics, the UPS driver dropped off a big old box the other day from Yogi’s in Iowa. Inside the box lay my new brake system, or at least the means to apply hydraulic pressure to the rear wheel cylinders and front calipers.

The master cylinder is a design used originally on mid-1980s Corvettes, and is the choice recommended by my friend Eric Aurand, long time motorhead and former employee of Chassis Engineering. As I asked Eric for advice, I told him I planned to run the brakes without a power booster – to keep it simple and all that. Eric, however, explained that the ‘Vette master cylinder combined with a disc/drum system like mine works waaaay better with a power unit. Thus the contents of the box included not only a new master but a relatively small seven-inch power booster. Also in the box is the pedal assembly, which in my case will mount under the floorboards.

Soon to be installed in the J-Bird, the new two-chamber master cylinder meant originally for Corvettes from the middle 1980s.

To round things out I also bought a pair of flexible brake hoses for the front, a ten psi residual pressure valve for the rear brakes, and a proportioning valve.

The residual pressure valve is necessary because the rear brakes are drum-style and require a little residual pressure to keep the cups and pistons in the wheel cylinders extended out against the brake shoes. This way when you hit the brake pedal the brakes apply right now, without the need to pump the pedal two or three times. And ten psi of pressure isn’t enough to overcome the return springs, only enough to “stage” the pistons right there ready to move. The adjustable proportioning valve will help me dial in the right amount of front versus rear brakes so both the front and rear hooves are working to stop my horse.

The front brake hoses are braided, and came with the brackets and clips to mount the stationary end on the frame.

Installing the pedal assembly looks like the most challenging part of the project. Challenging enough that the operation may require the assistance of master technician Yup, and additional assistance from the man who can weld water, Rick Thompson.

The booster is another case of: “I don’t want to reengineer any of this after it’s all installed. So spend the extra money now and get 'er done.” Actually, I’m thinking that mounting the pedal assembly will be the toughest part of this job.