Do manual brakes always feel like this?

[joeybsyc]

I took out my roadster yesterday for a spin around the block, and have pretty much determined that I hate how the brakes function. I figured I'd ask some opinions on if they are "normal" or not, as I am generally accustomed to modern power assisted brakes and realize there is a difference between those and manual brakes on a hotrod. The car has GM discs up front, and the big drums out back that were part of the donor 9" ford rear. The master cylinder is mounted under the floor, and has residual valves in place, etc. The first think I notice is that there seems to be alot of pedal travel between where the pedal is at rest and where it actually starts clamping hard on the brakes. It also seems like you gotta stomp them pretty darn hard to get the car slowed down, even at a relatively slow speed, such as coming to a stop sign on a residentail street. It DOES stop, and if you really push the pedal down it will clamp hard, it jsut seems like theres alot of freeplay in the pedal, and excessive pedal effort is needed. They brakes don't "pump up" when you step on the pedal repeatedly, so i don't "think" theres air in the lines or anything, it almost seems like the mechanical action of the pedal arm just needs alot of travel before moving the piston of the master cylinder. That's why I'm asking if this "normal" for this type of brake setup, and if it is how other people's cars are... or if i should start looking into what may be "wrong" with mine. If this is just how manual brakes with an under the floor pedal assembly works, I'll keep driving it and getting used to it, if its not I'll start tearing into stuff. I should also not this car only has about 10 miles on it, and is the first rod I've ever had, so everything about it needs some "getting used to".