Are there any tricks for installing Cycle-istic brakestays?

snoopy · October 27, 2012, 02:31:27 PM

I purchased a Cycle-istiC brakestay rod from somebody who had it chromed. When I went to install it on my bike yesterday I had some problems. One was that on of the bolts wouldn't fit into the brakestay correctly, but he had mentioned that the chroming process would cause that. I got a set of files and I worked on the parts until the bolt would fit.

But when I went to install it on the bike I noticed that it just wouldn't fit (i.e. when one bolt was in, the holes on the other end wouldn't line up). I wouldn't think that this behavior was from the fact that the parts where chromed so I'm asking everybody, is there a "trick" to get this installed? For instance, is there a way to rotate the drum brake assembly further away from the engine? Should the bike be resting on it's rear tire? Is this something which was "improved" with a newer version of the brakestay and I just happen to have an older version?

-Brandon

hootmon · October 27, 2012, 02:45:00 PM

I don't have one, so I can't help you on the install... But I'd contact Dobie (via this site) and talk to him as he is the seller of these...
He also had a recall on earlier version, so you need to find out if you have a newer or older one...

snoopy · October 27, 2012, 03:10:21 PM

Looking at the current photo on his website for the brakestay rod, it looks different than what I have. The one I have is two pieces which are screwed together with two smaller screws. These two pieces are what provide the "offset" necessary. I will post a photo later.

I don't know how often Dobie gets on this site so I'll contact him directly.

EDIT:
Below is an image with the entire brakestay rod disassembled ...

Jerry G Turner · October 27, 2012, 06:15:06 PM

That is the correct one in order to get the brake drum to move you need to get the rear wheel off the ground then loosen the axle nut and you will be able to move it forward or backward.

TLRam1 · October 27, 2012, 10:18:29 PM

Do what Jerry said, should fit.

snoopy · October 28, 2012, 12:32:48 AM

I got a reply already from Dobie (Magniac). What I have is the BSR-2, which was recalled. Dobie is sending me the replacement, a BSR-3.

I admire Dobie's integrity, immensely.

Magniac · October 28, 2012, 10:33:47 AM

Sorry I missed this thread until Brandon contacted me last evening. Anyone who still has a 2-piece brakestay should return it to me, in exchange for a new one-piece BSR-3. I will be happy to send out the new unit, all I ask is the return of the old one.

Magniac · October 28, 2012, 11:28:23 AM

Quote from: Jerry G Turner on October 27, 2012, 06:15:06 PM
That is the correct one in order to get the brake drum to move you need to get the rear wheel off the ground then loosen the axle nut and you will be able to move it forward or backward.

Jerry, we recalled both the BSR-1 and BSR-2, which were 2-piece assemblies. The BSR-1 had only one tab at the front. We originally thought that was the problem, so we made the BSR-2 with 2 tabs at the front. Then we found out the problem was actually the Allen head screws themselves. So the BSR-3 is a one-piece unit. If you have a 2-piece unit, even with 2 tabs at the front, it should be exchanged for the one-piece BSR-3.

Jerry G Turner · October 28, 2012, 04:04:32 PM

Thanks I will take a look at it and let you know.

Magniac · October 29, 2012, 04:33:47 PM

Brandon, your BSR-3 left this morning, should be there Wednesday, or Thursday latest.

snoopy · October 31, 2012, 05:11:56 PM

Dobie, the new BSR-3 was waiting on my porch when I got home today. I'll be sending the BSR-2 back to you tomorrow. I've emailed you the address I'll use, so let me know if it's wrong.

Magniac · October 31, 2012, 05:43:42 PM

I replied to your e-mail, addy is good, thanks. Hope you have no more problems.

snoopy · October 31, 2012, 06:16:07 PM

I'm having the same problem with this new brakestay as well. Either I have a funky, non-standard Magna, or I've become almost completely retarded with general mechanics. I know that the bolts supplied in the Cycle-istiC luggage rack/sissy bar weren't long enough so I had to buy new ones to get it to work. Now I can't get two different brakestay rods to work.

They both seem to be about 1 mm too short. I could probably figure out how to slide the rear axle forward about 1 mm to make it all work, but then I'm guessing my chain would be too loose.

Magniac · October 31, 2012, 06:35:38 PM

Loosen the axle nut just a bit, then use a mallet (non-metallic) on the end of the arm of the brake hub to tap it to the correct rotation. Re-tighten the axle nut.

TLRam1 · October 31, 2012, 08:13:37 PM

Quote from: Jerry G Turner on October 27, 2012, 06:15:06 PM
then loosen the axle nut and you will be able to move it forward or backward.

See Jerry's post above, it is a piece of cake.