With everything going green for the planet these days & non asbestos based linings being used I wonder if the grip-ability is lost--is that a word, tis my word anyway. Thinking back to about "62 my Boss riveted some new fangled green color linings--not green like todays non asbestos--but--these green were meant to last longer I think, harder material & was onto the rear shoes of a 650 AJS. They were USELESS. Sent me out on it to bed them in but never improved on a bit of lap around the block working them up. So That was a Fail haha. So original point 60 years later, is different material playing a part.

Another very good point - it would be interesting to see the numnbers for the friction coeeficients of modern vs old brake lining materials.

A quick update.

The heavier front brake cable I fitted made a noticeable improvement, but today I did some brake "burnishing".

This consists of taking the speed up to about 50 and then doing around 10 stops leaving about a minute in between for the brake to cool.

Do it with the front alone, and then the rear alone.

Made a huge improvement, despite having only done around 40 miles on the new linings the brakes are now pretty good.

Any more info on this Venhill cable? I am still having bad brakes on my DT360 after bedding in OEM shoes, and I am using a Parts Unlimited cable, I can pull the lever all the way to the bars and it doesnt stop well still. I've been curious where to get a better cable. Thanks for sharing!!

www.venhill.co.uk/

If they dont have one showing as a stock item, if you send them your old one as a pattern they will make you one.

They are expensive, but worth it in my opinion..

Akara1 I'd be keen to know the outcome of changing cables as really doesn't sound like a cable problem. Spongy brakes are terrible that's for sure.