Mechanical Footbrake

Mechanical rear brakes

Mechanical operation of the rear wheel braking system was the most reliable way to stop the Harley-Davidson for several decades. The rear brakes were all foot operated. After 10 years of coaster brake hubs (until 1913, pedals used for pedaling and braking), the brake pedal for the right foot was introduced in 1914, responsible only for braking. Further transmission of braking forces by tie rods and levers. This arrangement remained for all Harley-Davidson models until 1950, then the Servi-Car was the first to fall victim to hydraulic modernization. In 1958 followed the Big Twins and only the Sportster models kept mechanically braked rear wheels until 1978.

Controls for mechanical foot brakes at W&W Cycles

The range of W&W Cycles includes all controls for these braking systems. These include brake pedals, base plates, return springs and brake linkages for F and J models, Knuckleheads, large (1200 cc /1300 cc) and small (750 cc) Flatheads and Panhead models, as well as for K models and Sportsters up to 1978.