single sided rear brake

[berger]

have I had my rear brake torque arm on the wrong side of the swing arm bracket for over 40 years? hence having the brake plate slightly out of line and upsetting the shoe alignment. I just set it up to emery the shoes a bit and when I turned the sprocket it seemed to drag and snatch with the arm fitted facing me on the swing arm, I then put the torque arm on the back of the swing arm bracket and it spun perfect. does anyone with a single sided set up know which side of the bracket the torque arm was fitted at the factory because over the years it could have been bent and fitted incorrectly. I have had it fitted facing me since taking all the bike to pieces all those years ago and rebuilding it but now I have found it is happier fitted behind and seems to line things up as they should be.

[RDfella]

Torque arm should always be under tension, never compression.

[berger]

yes RD fella  under tension,I have been having a good look at it and maybe it had a bit of a bend at both ends years ago. it's just that with having a play today I noticed when everything was in situ the brake drum was snagging on the emery but when I put the arm behind the fixing bracket it must have lined the brake plate up properly. before that it must have always been a bit sqewwhif all these years without me knowing until the abrasive paper was in there. I was just wondering where it was anchored straight out of the factory.  I have done the shoes now and spent some time on the torque arm so it is now only under tension. come the better weather I will find out if I have a better break than I've had for years.