Engine braking

[Swarfcut]

 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.

[Minto]

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

[berger]

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 

[Greybeard]

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.

[RDfella]

With motorcycles of that era, the engine was the only effective brake on the bike ........

[muskrat]

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. 
Never had a box fail.
Cheers

[Rex]

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..

[Butch (cb)]

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?