REPLACING BRAKE SHOES ON A 1970 SCHWINN TANDEM

July 8, 2008

    I have a Schwinn Tandem Model T12-9 that I bought new in 1970. I would like to continue riding it, but stopping has become difficult!
    I have looked extensively, but I can't find replacement shoes for the rear drum brake. Can you help me with a contact for new or used parts or a place that will resurface the shoes?

Carl C.

Carl:
    As far as I can tell, Schwinn made its 1970 tandems with Atom drum brakes. But I couldn't find anyone selling shoes specifically for Atoms. (Since then the industry has moved to the Aria brand from Japan, parts for which you can get from Precision Tandems.)
    As with other such tandem esoteria, to find the right shoes or maintenance experts I suggest you query an on-line tandem bulletin board. I recommend the one at Bike Forum.
    BTW: If you take on brake part replacement, you might appreciate rebuilding advice from Bikesmith Design.

Mr Bike

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