O/T Mystery brake assembly. What's it from?

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

 

 

 

 

The house I moved to last December was once owned by a vintage car enthusiast. He died about eighteen years ago and his house was sold to his live in lady friend. She, in turn, died last June and I bought the house from her executor. Naturally he doesn't know anything about the previous owner as he is only a recent friend of the dead lady and cannot answer any questions.

 

At the bottom of the garden are two brick built outbuildings and in the roof space of one I found this brake assembly. The last but one owner had been a very keen Model T Ford enthusiast, but this brake is not from one of those as far as I can tell. It might even be from a motorcycle. The shoes are narrow (see top pic), and there's an air cooling duct with a mesh grille (loose and tied on with a cable tie at the moment. It is double leading shoe so probably a front brake.

 

The Big Question today for the Westfield massive is what the Hell is this from?

 

p.s. Better pictures to follow...

[Captain Colonial]

Motorcycle drum brake for sure.

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

I must say that's my gut feeling. Circa 1955 I would guess and from big machine of that era. There my knowledge ends, sadly.

[Captain Colonial]

Concur - mine as well.   

[Mark (smokey mow)]

Agreed with above it's from a bike.

I happen to have the Haynes manual in front of me for the Triumph T100/ 5TA which it looks very similar too in design but isn't?

[Howard]

Ceriani four leading shoe brake.

 

Used on a variety of Italian bikes 60s onwards plus some classic British racers.

 

 

Link added.  http://www.manx.co.uk/products/hubs/c230f.htm

[Pantherman]

I would say its from a 50's bike possibly Norton , could be an aftermarket one something like a John tickle ( he's on the forum ! ) if it is it will be stamped.

The twin leader fittings don't look original ,hard to tell but could be a single leading brake plate converted to twin leader.

Sorry no real help I know !

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

Well I'm astounded! It looks as if Howard is right - that's precisely what it looks like if a bit tarnished. The shoes are new, and the whole thing looks unused too and is only lacking a spring. Thanks all for the input. Now, any suggestions as to how I can use it on a Westfield?    

 

A little Googling shows it is half of the final product and minus the drum, of course. I don't know whether it's a replica, but I would guess so. What was a Model T enthusiast doing with an exotic Italian brake assembly, I wonder?

[Welly Jen]

Well I'm astounded! It looks as if Howard is right - that's precisely what it looks like if a bit tarnished. The shoes are new, and the whole thing looks unused too and is only lacking a spring. Thanks all for the input. Now, any suggestions as to how I can use it on a Westfield?    

 

 

Easy. Convert the Westfield to a three wheeler!

[Captain Colonial]

I suggest you email the photos to the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.  They might make a firm ID on it.

[Norman Verona]

... and buy it.

[Howard]

Bit more background if the link works:

 

http://www.laverdaclub.nl/italdoc/Laverda/cerianibrakes/Index.html

 

 

Looking at prices of parts it might be worth a bob or two even though not a complete hub.

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

Norman, Howard, it may well have some value - I'll be at the Kop Hill Climb in September and there's a fair few vintage bikes there usually. Maybe someone there could use it. Failing that I need to do some research on its worth.  Thanks all for the input, and the amazingly quick return of an answer Howard.