Bendix 70 coaster hub 2300 mile test

[Schwinny]

Surprised no one has mentioned this is in the Balloon tire bike forum.
The hub is a later version not used on balloon tire bikes and the bike it's on is certainly not a ballooner.
Really should be in the lightweight section.

 

[Miq]

Tell that to my Bendix equipped Columbia Newsboy balloon tire bike. I get your point though… more of a 60s hub.

 

[koolbikes]

After seeing how well the Bendix has worn on my bike, and after I sourced it from a bicycle that had sat outside in the woods for 20 years, I really can not believe that hardly any of them need any parts at all, but just a good cleaning, lubing and putting back together by a good mechanic. But if one actually did need parts then I would check the wanted classifieds on this forum ??? Or look on Ebay ??? Those are two obvious sources. Also look in your local facebook marketplace for old bicycle parts or donor bikes.

nortonguy, Thanks for some very good information posted!
I recently have been rebuilding these Bendix Coaster Brake Hubs and rarely ever find worn out parts but there are some that I replace. Bearings of course and I've found that the Bendix 70 brake shoes (2-piece), split or crack were as the Bendix 76 shoes (4-piece) are indestructible. I feel Bendix just made improvements over the years. The Bendix RB was used by Schwinn until 1969, late 1969 - 1970 used Bendix 70 up until late 1976 and then used Bendix 76 until the end of Schwinn USA bicycles, (1982-'83).
Schwinn used these Bendix Hubs on Lightweights, Middleweights & Balloon Bicycles.
I'm posting this info. for the interchangeability of parts between the Bendix Models. Maintain and Keep Rebuilding Them! ... They will last Forever!

 

[nortonguy]

I've found that the Bendix 70 brake shoes (2-piece), split or crack were as the Bendix 76 shoes (4-piece) are indestructible.

Maybe some boys were hard enough on coaster brakes back when they were current, in the 1970s and earlier to damage them and wear them out, but there is nobody riding a Bendix coaster braked bike today hard enough to break any parts or wear them out. If this Mexican Bendix brake still looks like new after running over 3600 miles with a 200-pound rider in an oversize wheel going down hills and skidding the rear wheel, then nobody has to worry about any of them as long as they are cleaned and lubed and adjusted.
Back in the 60s and 70s when I was a kid we rode our bikes hard, and we never lubed or adjusted anything, we just rode the bikes into the ground then threw them on a junk pile, and the brakes never quit working for the life of the bike with that harsh treatment.

With this in mind, nobody has to worry what type of Bendix brake they have in their bike as they are all good enough.

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

Tell that to my Bendix equipped Columbia Newsboy balloon tire bike. I get your point though… more of a 60s hub.

View attachment 2158047

View attachment 2158046

Miq, the star washer goes against the fork end, and the flat washer goes outside next to the axle nut. Just reversed.

The external star washer is used in place of a serrated axle washer, that bites into the fork end to prevent axle slipping.

John

 

[Miq]

Thanks John @Schwinn Sales West. I see what you mean. That hub is no longer installed on this bike. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[Motoman]

Anyone tried Fram hi temp.disc brake and wheel bearing grease. This is another great performer very little drag on bearings so spins easily yet has metal protecting properties that far exceed bicycles use. I've tried top brands Park Tools grease, Marine grease, Lithium white, red formulated greases of different manufactures for bicycles and old school brown axle grease, guess it's just what one prefers.

 

[FICHT 150]

You’re not using Braycote?

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Truth is, neither am I. But, I use either Mobile grease 28 or Mobile 1 Universal Synthetic on just about everything these days.

Good stuff.

Ted

 

[KCN]

I use either Mobile grease 28 or Mobile 1 Universal Synthetic on just about everything these days.

Good stuff.

Ted
[/QUOTE]

Ditto on Mobil 1 synthetic. It doesn’t dry out, and stays fluid in cold weather.

 

[nortonguy]

Up to 4300 miles on this brake now, still working like new. Bike plus rider plus messenger bag full of tools, tubes, water-bottle and two rolls of quarters over 250 pounds. Often I will try and lock up the rear wheel and skid to a stop. No problems with the rear spokes or wheel coming out of true. I am impressed. Just have gone through three chains in that distance as standing on the pedals up hills must stretch them out much more quickly than on multi-speed bikes. Also have flipped the rear sprocket around this spring so the chain will wear the other side of it's teeth, as it was showing wear. Only big problems are the occasional flat, usually on the rear of course. Should get a few more thousand miles on the bike this year if it ever stops raining.