Rear brake drum locking up
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 41
From: Florida
Rear brake drum locking up
Ok another dumb noob question. The rear drum on my 74 locks the rear tire up sending me into a skid as soon as any real pressure is applied on the pedal. As soon as pressure is released on the pedal, the tire is released. I can't imagine that this is the way it should function. Either off or full on. Is there something I should be adjusting or replacing? Thanks as always fellas.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 41
From: Florida
It is backed off quite a bit more than 2 turns. I guess in reality you can depress the pedal a little before the wheel locks up however it doesn't slow it down at all. It's like there is no friction until full lock up. Pedal does travel about 2".
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,491
Likes: 30,779
From: Pennsylvania
You might want to open it up and check to see if the brake pads are oil soaked. Grease or oil on the brake shoe compound will make them grab.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
Sounds like new brake shoes are needed. I had to get 2 sets of brake shoes, 1 OEM and 2nd oversized. Got em from V-Twin, semi-metallic shoes. Got the OEM size in a zip lock bag in a Parts Drawer. Needed the oversized shoes to stop the Beast. PM me if ya need the OEM brake shoes, they have a whopping 10 miles on em.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 41
From: Florida
Sounds like new brake shoes are needed. I had to get 2 sets of brake shoes, 1 OEM and 2nd oversized. Got em from V-Twin, semi-metallic shoes. Got the OEM size in a zip lock bag in a Parts Drawer. Needed the oversized shoes to stop the Beast. PM me if ya need the OEM brake shoes, they have a whopping 10 miles on em.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
The oversized worked for me because the rear drum is well worn and the OEM size was the same brake actions as the worn out shoes. Gotta measure the inside diameter of the drum to know for sure. With mine, the measurement was boderline so I went with OEM size. MY mistake.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
Best thing to do is measure the drum inside diameter of the brake drum. My 77 drum measurement was borderline so I went with OEM size. That was MY mistake because the new semi-metallic shoes were no better the the worn ones I replaced. Put the oversized ones in and it's all good.
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