Restoring brakes

[learyd]

what brake components are worth replacing while restoring a minor 1000 1959. I've now dismantled my brakes and it's obvious that the springs and shoes need replacing, apart from that the coppers and pistons look in all reasonable nick. So is it worth replacing all the coppers, is the new part going to be any supperior or it could it be worse quality? If i did want to replace the brake pipes would it be wise to have stainless braideded hoses on the front and rear, or just the front? Sorry for all the questions cheers!

[bmcecosse]

New shoes all round, and look carefully at the drums - clean or renew if seriously scored - new wheel cylinders (or at least new seals) all round - 'copper' is not right for brake pipes - so if they really are copper - renew with proper Kunifer piping. New flexi pipes front and rear - just get rubber ones - no need for fancy/expensive 'stainless' pipes - they are rubber under the braid anyway - and very possibly a new brake master cylinder. If the handbrake cables are less than pristine - fit new. Then you KNOW the whole system is new and ready for another 10 years of service!!

[mike.perry]

Only ten years????????????

[MarkyB]

Could you not contact the previous owner and ask them when they were last done?
You might learn a lot of other interesting stuff about the car as a bonus.
Or take a look in whatever paperwork came with the car.

Visually there is very little between Kunifer and copper, so it may already be Kunifer.

Fancy braided hoses are more robust and should give a harder pedal, first brake upgrade many motorcyclists do.