Front wheel hard to turn after new brake pads

[scott s]

Bike is an '83 Heritage Special. MikesXS master cylinder, stainless hose, stock caliper and rotor.

Changed out the pads today and installed new EBC pads. The anti-squeal shims are still in place. The new pads were, obviously, much thicker than the old pads and we had to use a C-clamp to press the piston back into the caliper. Even then, we had to use a rubber mallet to "persuade" the caliper back down into place. The pivot bolt was greased and it went in easily.

The front wheel doesn't turn freely now. Prior to pads, the front wheel was off to grease the speedo drive. We installed the wheel and axle (both went on smoothly) and tightened the castle nut on the axle, then the end cap on the left fork. We did not check to see if the wheel spun freely before starting the brakes because, well...there was really no reason to.

Would new, thick brake pads make the wheel THAT hard to turn? The brakes operate great. Do we just need to ride the bike a bit and wear down the new pads until they no longer drag?
Or am I overlooking something?

 

[gggGary]

You are overlooking overhauling the brake caliper, it needs it, no easy way out. The caliper pistons should retract with finger pressure. If you run it like it is it will over heat the pads and rotors they will overheat and expand till the front wheel stops turning. There is a great how to written by little bill over in the tech section. It's really not that hard. Do it like your life depends on it (it does).