Just look at the centrefold photo of the ’47 Flying Squirrel in the latest Yowl for the answer to your problem. After seeing that bike at Ardingly I fitted the same external springs to my ’49 model and it cured the non-returning lever issue I was experiencing. I find the front brake on my bike with the compensator to be excellent by the way, but then I’ve been riding a Sunbeam S8 for over 25 years!

Graham

Years ago there was on the market a simple little oiling kit, a little plastic moulding and a couple of “U” clips. They may still be around but I’ve not seen any for years.

The moulding was designed to fit around the bowden cable outer after removing a small circle of the covering to reveal the wound outer cable. Once fitted the two “U” clips had to be inserted in the holes provided in each end of the moulding and then carefully crushed with a pair of pliars sufficiently to firmly grip the cable. The moulding was provided with an oil-can friendly hole that included an attached sealing plug.

If fitted near the centre of the cable run a weekly squirt of oil was all that was needed for smooth brakes and clutch.

Yes, they’re extremely effective and very quick.