On Nov 13, 12:26*pm, Tim Taylor wrote:
On Nov 13, 10:21*am, jsbrake wrote:

Hi All,

Would anyone be kind enough to send me an electronic copy of the
following article from Soaring, March 1998:
“Putting the Bite into Weak Drum Brakes”, by Tillmann Steckner

I'd like to actually be able to stop my heavy Kestrel 19 when it
lands... without using fixed objects likes trees or fence posts.

TIA,
John

Don't do it! *Send the wheel to Vintage Brake in Sonora California.
The Steckner mod is self energizing but won't release properly once
engaged.

http://www.vintagebrake.com/

The instructions I saw ( a decade prior Tilly's publication)
are explicit about the need to add much bigger return springs
to avoid lockup. Its quite entertaining to watch the results
when this is ignored. "These springs look good enough"...

Best I've seen was an Elfe (same tiny wheel as H201),
where the lockup broke the axle and tost castings, and
the glider slid to a stop on top on top of the wheel,
except the wheel was lying sideways on the pavement.
Very nice !

Other than properly surfacing the brake shoes, check
that the cam has not elongated the hole in the weak
aluminum casting, in which case you want to put
in a strong bushing and get rid of all the slop.

Have fun, and don't forget to post the video of
the first attempt to use the new brake,

Best Regards, "YO electric" *

* "proud owner of an actual functioning wheelbrake"