Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners

I am happy to announce the launch of our new series, "You Can Do It!" with the first video live and many more to come shortly.

I was challenged by our wonderful president, Mac Kirkpatrick, to create videos as I was restoring various components of my recently acquired R 51/2. I did just that and the first video is up. I will be doing some for the /2 motorcycles shortly as well.

If you wish to make a video and have us edit and post it under the series please feel free! All credits will go to you and it will help the community.

Please visit the You Can Do It page under our knowledge base at: https://vintagebmw.org/you-can-do-it/.

Any comments or critiques are very welcome, it is the first video and I am sure they will get better over time.

Thanks so much for doing this video, first class. Can't wait to see more. I really appreciate your efforts and talent.

This is fantastic. As an amateur determined to tackle everything I can this will be invaluable.

Thanks to all for the idea and execution.

Great stuff, reassures us we're doing it right. However, why do you put the actuating arm in afterwards? Isn't it easier to fit it first, then lever the shoes down into place?

Also, your method of riveting the shoes, is that some US tool?

And you say you 'arced' the shoes to the drum. Easy to say but I suspect more difficult to do. I recently spent an hour hand filing shoes to get them to fit and turn without binding, while fitted to the brake plate, new drum, new shoes, new actuating arm.

Still, thanks for starting the ball rolling,

Charlie.

Charlie,

I am going to do a video on how I arc the shoes. Actually very easy!!

I will try putting the brake actuator in first the next time. Might be easier.

All,

I have now launched all 4 movies that I have created to date. Please check out the "You can Do It" page on the website!

Thanks for the great series! I re-lined the rear shoes on my R26 yesterday and it was very helpful. Before I put it back together I am going to wait for your information on arcing the shoes. I have never done that after a drum brake rebuild but I bet it will really improve the break-in period.
Jim

I have just created and uploaded the brake shoe arcing video! Check it out!!!

Just watched the arcing video - different strokes for different folks, eh? When doing both shoes together, I get one located, get the other 3/4 way and then use a screwdriver to lift each contact point into place.

The problem with the oversize linings was that the shoes, when mounted on the back plate, wouldn't go into the drum at all but, maybe if I'd just put in one shoe at a time it would have worked.

We learn. Many thanks,

Charlie.

Well done videos and thank you for making them. What a valuable resource.