Drum Brake rod

[jonnyk]

I am sure this is a dumb question for many of you. But I am in the process of hardtailing an '82 xs, and have about 5 inches of stretch. That said, the original drum brake rod wont quite reach the wheel anymore. Any suggestions? I was hoping to just buy a longer one, not sure where to even begin that search though.

Any advice is much appreciated.
Jonny

 

[jamesgs4]

You could extend yours, or make one with some threaded rod.

 

[jayel]

any good hardware supply should have various lenghts of rod, buy the size you need and thread the end looks better than a full lenght threaded rod and you don't have to worry if a extention (welded) will hold

 

[Travis]

I had to lengthen mine 4" and it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. To make sure the weld was good I kept bending and flexing the rod. I had to re-weld it a couple of times and grind it back down.. Of course I was stubborn and didn't want to use a sleeve.

 

[jonnyk]

Yeah i dont want to weld one as I am not running a front break at all. So i will be getting a longer rod for sure. Thanks

 

[jayel]

I kept bending and flexing the rod. I had to re-weld it a couple of times and grind it back down..

is it broken yet? nope well keep bending it

 

[Travis]

haha! I didn't flex it that much.. Just wanted to make sure it would bend some before it broke. The first couple of times it didn't take much to break. I run a front brake anyway so I hardly even need a rear.

 

[KevC]

Extended mine with a tapped bit of hex & a socket head bolt plus lock nuts. Been solid & working fine for years

 

[Eckl]

any good hardware supply should have various lenghts of rod, buy the size you need and thread the end looks better than a full lenght threaded rod and you don't have to worry if a extention (welded) will hold

Home Depot has lengths of brass rod. You have to tap the one end but it looks really cool when done.

 

[flthead]

brass rod ... yikes

 

[Tech7]

+1 on the YIKES! Please only use steel.

 

[Eckl]

I personally have steel but I had seen it on another bike. Plus it was twice the price! I am guessing it is crazy soft by the response?

 

[XSLeo]

The brass should be ok. It's being pulled not pushed.

 

[Tech7]

You'd trust brass threads? I wouldn't use a substandard material on anything safety related for the sake of appearance. . Especially with no front brake! Save the brass for lamps.

 

[Hairyblackdude]

I cut the stock rod in half.. Used an old jack handle & cut a 4-5" long collar.

The stock rod was such a tight fit inside the jack handle, I dont think I even needed to weld it. But I welded the shit outta it.. Good to go !!