Rear brake arm kicking back

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rps1116

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Hi Everyone

I recently tightened my chain on my 1977 XS650 Bobber and readjusted the rear drum brake but now when I press on the brake arm it’s pushing back on me and I’m not using a lot of pressure on it. Has anyone have this happen? Thanks

Rich
 
An hour ago... a sphincter moment. Excitement I do not need. Took one of my 650's out for a rip... around the block.... hit the rear brake..... a serious banging.... NO BRAKE..... ! Banging... I pulled over.... The brake stay arm came off the frame mount... I know I cotter pinned it... arm jammed up against the wheel... brake rod snapped and wrapped around rear brake drum lever shaft... brake drum lever twisted... I removed the stay... it was nutted and cotter pinned at the rear.. got it home.. center stand ... applied drum brake lever.... nothing... So... my Saturday afternoon I'll pull wheel and.... ? I'll use nylon locking nuts next time.
 

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  • Brake stay.jpg
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nj1639 said:
Hey Rich!
A picture is worth a thousand words. How about a couple of them? Something may scream out.
Click to expand...
I’m
nj1639 said:
Hey Rich!
A picture is worth a thousand words. How about a couple of them? Something may scream out.
Click to expand...
sounds good nj39. I posted a few pictures a while back on my other thread about my exhaust smoking. If you jump over to that thread you’ll see them. I will try and post some pics to this thread but I’m not sure if you’ll be able to see the rear brake set up.

Rich
 
Here’s some pictures of my bike
 

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Pics helped!
This looks like the likely issue.
1722649710052.png

The brake stay rod needs to be at about a 90 degree angle to a line from the axle to the stay attach bolt like this;
rear brake arm.jpeg

Yours is about straight on. Hit the brake and the brake plate pivots instead of resisting the pull of the brake shoes and you get no brake action.
The pivoting plate pushes back against the brake rod/pedal.
yours prolly had just BARELY enough angle to work, then you moved the axle back to tension the chain, reducing the angle even more.
chooper brake.png
 
Last edited:
Sometimes a hardtail will have the brake stay bolt mated to a channel welded inside the lower tube so it can't rotate but can move fore and aft when you adjust the chain.
Or you can lengthen the rod so the plate/pivot points towards the ground.
1722651340715.png

Like Mike pointed out the bolts need to be loose enough to allow the rod to pivot so MUST be safety-ed with cotter pins or other substantial method. Lock washers will not work here.
 
Last edited:
gggGary said:
Pics helped!
This looks like the likely issue.
View attachment 332152
The brake stay rod needs to be at about a 90 degree angle to a line from the axle to the stay attach bolt like this;
View attachment 332153
Yours is about straight on. hit the brake. the brake plate pivots instead of resisting the pull of the brake shoes and you get no brake action.
The pivoting plate pushes back against the brake rod/pedal.
yours prolly had just BARELY enough angle to work, then you moved the axle back to tension the chain, reducing the angle even more.
View attachment 332154
Click to expand...
Good Eye!
 
motormike said:
An hour ago... a sphincter moment. Excitement I do not need. Took one of my 650's out for a rip... around the block.... hit the rear brake..... a serious banging.... NO BRAKE..... ! Banging... I pulled over.... The brake stay arm came off the frame mount... I know I cotter pinned it... arm jammed up against the wheel... brake rod snapped and wrapped around rear brake drum lever shaft... brake drum lever twisted... I removed the stay... it was nutted and cotter pinned at the rear.. got it home.. center stand ... applied drum brake lever.... nothing... So... my Saturday afternoon I'll pull wheel and.... ? I'll use nylon locking nuts next time.
Click to expand...
That’s crazy man! Luckily you’re ok and no serious damage was done. I will be trying to get my brake back to normal today. Unfortunately it’s like extremely hot and humid in Jersey today so I’m really not looking forward to it at all.

Rich
 
rps1116 said:
Thank you gggGary. I’m going out now to reposition the brake stay. I absolutely appreciate your help. This forum is great. So far I’m 2 for 2 here. I will keep you posted on how it works after I adjust it.

Rich
Click to expand...
Ok so the previous owner welded the tab in the wrong spot. I am going to have to either buy a longer piece of threaded rod so I can get the stay at 90 degrees and then I might need a longer length for the brake arm to reach the pedal. The plus side of this is I’m a machinist so I have the materials readily available and if not I can make them. What sucks is after 35 years of being a machinist I am not a good welder actually I haven’t done any welding since high school which is why I’m choosing to go the route of a longer brake stay instead of re welding the tab closer to the rear of the frame where it should be. I’ll keep everyone posted on any progress I make. Thank you guys for all the help so far.

Rich
 
nj1639 said:
You've got some degree wiggle room with the brake plate being able to turn 360 degrees and the splined brake arm in 10 degree increments, try to match the stock angles from the stock positions.
Click to expand...
Hey man. So I got everything back together and what I did was rotate the bracket on the drum about 180 degrees. I buttoned everything up and checked the brake (not riding) on my driveway to see if I got any kick back and I didn’t. I’m going to take it for a spin around my neighborhood and make sure it’s not going to lock up or kick back. I can’t thank you enough for your help. I’m guessing by your username NJ1639 that you’re from Jersey too. Were ya from?

Rich
 
rps1116 said:
Hey man. So I got everything back together and what I did was rotate the bracket on the drum about 180 degrees. I buttoned everything up and checked the brake (not riding) on my driveway to see if I got any kick back and I didn’t. I’m going to take it for a spin around my neighborhood and make sure it’s not going to lock up or kick back. I can’t thank you enough for your help. I’m guessing by your username NJ1639 that you’re from Jersey too. Were ya from?

Rich
Click to expand...
Ok so it worked. Did about 5 miles and no issues so far. Bike is shifting better because I tightened the chain the brakes are working fine and I realize now that you’re not from Jersey lol sorry about that. Again I want to thank you for your help with the brake issue. It’s great to be able to come on here and get the proper help and not feel like a complete idiot. Hopefully I’ll be able to help someone on here in the future.

Rich
 
nj1639 said:
Hey Rich!
I've got colonial heritage from Philly south to Eastern Shore Maryland and from Burlington County south in Jersey. Grew up in Gloucester County and then lived down in Cape May county before I bailed.
You?
Rick
Click to expand...
Born and raised in North Jersey. Parsippany/ Lake Hiawatha
 

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