Wipperman front brake

[rusty.kirkpatrick]

Looking for info on these brakes, branded Wipperman. Appears they bolt onto the forks maybe. Couldn't find info on these, thanks for any help.

 

[bulldog1935]

I can identify Wippermann for you - they're a German company still making the best bike chains since 1893.
Pedals was their second big line, but they've made plenty of bike parts - odds are the brake is from a German or Dutch bike.

http://www.connexchain.com/en/company-history.html

 

[rusty.kirkpatrick]

I can identify Wippermann for you - they're a German company still making the best bike chains since 1893.
Pedals was their second big line, but they've made plenty of bike parts - odds are the brake is from a German or Dutch bike.
View attachment 679140
http://www.connexchain.com/en/company-history.html
View attachment 679138
View attachment 679139

Thanks bud, searched and couldn't find anything on these. Appreciate the info.

 

[SirMike1983]

You are correct they clamp onto the fork. They allow the use of a caliper brake that does not need a pivot bolt mounted into the frame. They gain leverage by clamping to front fork or the rear stays. Some of the lightweights from the 1930s-40s use these because their fork crowns and seat stays were drilled as if the bike would only have a coaster brake. You could then (or the factory could) add these clamp-on brakes to get calipers onto your bike without needing appropriate frame holes.

The most common caliper of this type found today is the "Philco" add-on type brake. I owned a pre-war Westfield lightweight with one on the front. The fork was drilled from the bottom as one would drill a balloon tire bike, so the clamp-on brake is used to get around the fact that there's no place for a brake caliper pivot bolt. It's a different maker, but same principle.

That's not to necessarily say your brake has to be pre-war - they made these parts for many years. But it's a relic from a time when you might throw one of these heavy brakes onto a utility or transport bike in order to add braking, but where you don't have the frame holes to do it.

 

[rusty.kirkpatrick]

You are correct they clamp onto the fork. They allow the use of a caliper brake that does not need a pivot bolt mounted into the frame. They gain leverage by clamping to front fork or the rear stays. Some of the lightweights from the 1930s-40s use these because their fork crowns and chain stays were drilled as if the bike would only have a coaster brake. You could then (or the factory could) add these clamp-on brakes to get calipers onto your bike without needing appropriate frame holes.

The most common caliper of this type found today is the "Philco" add-on type brake. I owned a pre-war Westfield lightweight with one on the front. The fork was drilled from the bottom as one would drill a balloon tire bike, so the clamp-on brake is used to get around the fact that there's no place for a brake caliper pivot bolt. It's a different maker, but same principle.

View attachment 679648

That's not to necessarily say your brake has to be pre-war - they made these parts for many years. But it's a relic from a time when you might throw one of these heavy brakes onto a utility or transport bike in order to add braking, but where you don't have the frame holes to do it.

Thanks for the info, I looked for a while but couldn't find a picture of anything similar. They seem to be well made though. I may hang onto them for a while. Thanks.