Vl front brake

[johnnyfire]

I have several front Vl backing plates.I've just noticed that some of them have a lip on the outside center and some don't.The ones that don't also have an extra stud sticking inside.Anyone know a/b this,thanks Johnny

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Johnny, there are three styles of VL front brake side cover. For 1930 you have no lip in the middle and a 7/16" hole for the early brake shaft. Then 1931-34 a 1/2" hole for the brake shaft and probably a lip. For 1935/6 there is the adjustable brake shoe pivot stud, so the stud is not riveted in like the earlier ones but held with a nut in a slot in the side cover.

[johnnyfire]

Thanks Steve,I'll add some pics later.The stud I'm talking about is small about 1/4 inch or less in diameter and maybe 1/2 in. tall with a fine slot around the top.Johnnyvl aug 2016 011.jpgvl aug 2016 007.jpgvl aug 2016 008.jpgvl aug 2016 006.jpgvl aug 2016 011.jpgvl aug 2016 007.jpgvl aug 2016 008.jpg ok, I hope these pics work Pics show plate with rim vs no rim and the small stud from the outside and the inside

[wideglide38]

Steve, Thanks for the info on the backing plates. Certainly helped me confirm what I thought I have. William

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear William, yup, you've got a rough 1935/6 one. And Johnny, you have the 'earlier 1930' style when they were using a single 4126-28 brake shoe return spring rather than two 4125-28A springs as for the rest of the VL run. While we're in rivet counter mode, you also occasionally see aluminium brake shoes for earlier 1930. These broke up so were replaced with the cast iron ones. How much weight were they trying to save on a 540 pound bike?