BMX bikes use a braking system that consists of hand levers, cables and pull brakes for the front and rear wheels. Many BMX bikes are shipped without the brakes installed. Some dealers will install a braking system on floor models or install special order brakes on request. BMX bikes include boss posts for attaching the rear brake assembly, and a pre-drilled bolt hole on the front fork for attaching the front brake assembly. Pull brake kits include the necessary components and mounting hardware. You can install brakes on a BMX ride using a few basic hand tools and following a step-by-step procedure.
Step 1
Stabilize the BMX bike on the kickstand or on a repair rack. Remove the hand grips from the handlebars. Slide the right and left hand brake levers on the bars. Tighten the bar clamps on each of the levers with an Allen wrench. Replace the handlebar grips onto the bars.
Step 2
Insert the mounting bolt on the front brake assembly into the pre-drilled hole on the front fork. Thread the hex nut on the back side of the bolt and tighten it with an open-end wrench. Use an open-end wrench to loosen the brake pad bolts. Slide the pads up or down in the slots on the brake arms to align the pads with the front wheel rim. Tighten the brake pad bolts.
Step 3
Install the rear brake arms onto the brake boss posts on the seat frame arms. Thread the brake boss bolts into the boss posts and tighten them with an open-end wrench. Loosen the brake pad bolts and align the pads with the rear wheel rim. Tighten the brake pad bolts.
Step 4
Attach the front brake cable to the left brake lever by inserting the ball end into the slot on the square end of the lever. Slide the short cable housing on the free end of the cable and push the end of the housing against the square end of the hand lever. Insert the free end of the front brake cable into the cable stop of the front brake and tighten the stop to secure the cable.
Step 5
Insert the ball end of the rear brake cable into the square end of the right brake lever. Slide the long cable housing onto the free end of the cable and push the housing against the square end of the lever. Install the cable bracket between the seat frame arms about 6 inches from the rear brake assembly and tighten it with an Allen wrench. Loop the U-cable over the cable bracket and insert the ball ends into the slots on each of the rear brake arms.
Step 6
Roll the BMX ride forward and use the hand levers to test the cable tension on the front and rear brakes. Loosen the cable stop on the front brake arm and make adjustments as needed. Reposition the rear cable bracket in the frame arms to adjust the tension on the rear brake. Make sure all attachment bolts are secure.
Things You'll Need
- Pull brake kit
- Allen wrench
- Open-end wrench
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