The wipers tell me this coupe can be driven anywhere..
Question…What can you do to improve your front brake on a VL???? Well you could convert it into a dual cam setup….But, you’ll have to make it yourself…And when your done, it still is lacking….So, why not find a doner brake/hub with some real power….Well, we did..
Check out the relative size of the brake shoes… Single cam action on the right, that’s what you get on a stock ’35 VL…
Backing plate on the left looks cool and the new brake doubles the braking power. Dual cam action is excellent…
New spokes were needed…Originals were crappy zinc coated…These are stainless..
Doner hub and rim go with upgraded brake….Rim was chrome and hub was silver painted..We fixed that with power coat.
Changing from 18″ to 19″ rim means we need a new tire..Might as well put on a vintage Firestone…It kinda goes with the bike’s style..
Lacing guidelines….
That silvery paste on the threads is neversieze….Our personal favorite
Two different lengths and each with two different bends…Putting the correct spoke in the correct hole is essential…
We use tape on the treaded ends to avoid skuffing of the rim during lacing…
Notice the Carnuba Wax on the inside of rim…We coat the nipple holes with it, and nipple corrosion is prevented.
Done with lacing…
Finished Wheel, ready to mockup in forks…This is when we find out if our measurements were correct on new axle and bushings, any needed rim offset can be done when truing and tightening spokes….Remember, wheel truing is done by loosening spokes…Always tighten uniformly all spokes then loosen to straighten, then tighten, then straighten, repete, repete…Until wheel is true and spokes are tightened to correct tension…Don’t forget to grind off any spoke portrusion beyond nipple head.
One excellent Low Rider………..Vato………..
