The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Bikes, Pictures, Stories & more => Chat, Offtopic & Everything Else => Topic started by: Swarfcut on 06.07. 2021 15:19

Title: Engine braking
Post by: Swarfcut on 06.07. 2021 15:19
 Relying on engine braking is what kept gearbox reconditioners in business in the early years of motoring. I copied my mates, changing down, then slowing to the scream of well worn gears and shafts on the over run. Then the penny dropped....It's quicker, cheaper and simpler to change a set of pads than change a gearbox. But we all did it, must have wrecked quite a few boxes.

 Anyone who had a 1960's Mini will know the score. I'd say get those brakes fixed and don't use over run in lower gears. Also I'm more well behaved now.

 Swarfy.
Title: Re: Engine braking
Post by: Minto on 07.07. 2021 00:27
Good point well made Swarfy. It is part of the joy of riding bikes, though more so on my RSVR, that noise is totally addictive, it also has a crude slipper type clutch so takes a bit of the strain off the box I guess.
I am a lot more gentle with the Ten.
Jase
Title: Re: Engine braking
Post by: berger on 07.07. 2021 11:41
swarfy my dad used to engine brake in the old moggy i could hear the gearbox moaning but that was how he was taught to drive in the army in 1940. i was only a young lad when one of his scrap yard worker friends said to him " cyril it's easier to replace brakes than gearboxes" i must add i love dropping my beezer down the box at speed it sounds awesome with the meggas and is a must when two up going down steep hills  *eek*
Title: Re: Engine braking
Post by: Greybeard on 07.07. 2021 15:49
Relying on engine braking is what kept gearbox reconditioners in business in the early years of motoring. I copied my mates, changing down, then slowing to the scream of well worn gears and shafts on the over run. Then the penny dropped....It's quicker, cheaper and simpler to change a set of pads than change a gearbox. But we all did it, must have wrecked quite a few boxes.

 Anyone who had a 1960's Mini will know the score. I'd say get those brakes fixed and don't use over run in lower gears. Also I'm more well behaved now.

 Swarfy.
I have to say, I tend to augment wheel braking with engine braking. You can't just ignore the help of the engine to retard speed.
Title: Re: Engine braking
Post by: RDfella on 07.07. 2021 18:16
With motorcycles of that era, the engine was the only effective brake on the bike ........
Title: Re: Engine braking
Post by: muskrat on 07.07. 2021 21:07
G'day Fellas.
When racing the 57 A7SS I needed all the engine braking I could muster. The 7" Ariel type hubs didn't do much in the way of speed retardant.  *eek*
Never had a box fail.
Cheers
Title: Re: Engine braking
Post by: Rex on 08.07. 2021 09:40

I have to say, I tend to augment wheel braking with engine braking. You can't just ignore the help of the engine to retard speed.

Agreed. The little 7" front brake (even after relining and careful fettling) needs all the augmentation I can give it.. *smile*
Title: Re: Engine braking
Post by: Butch (cb) on 09.07. 2021 10:59
On engine breaking I always considered that I was just wearing the other side of and otherwise underused faces of all the teeth.

Apart from putting more through all the bearings is that not really the case?