Front Brake Woes

[WB Chevy]

Gentlemen:
The front brake on my 01 bullet was scaring me at the end of riding season last. I pulled it apart last night and found that the leading and trailing edges of the brake shoes  were the only contacting points.  With my trusty manual I was able to adjust the shoes so that they are now evenly contacting against the drum. Once I reconnected the brake cable and adjusted it I noted the brakes remained engaged and would not release. I can release the brakes by pressing on the lever by hand easily enough. I am guessing this has been going on for a while and when riding I was able to break it free from a stop. Do you suppose that the brake dust has gotten the linkage and is binding? Is it possible the springs have lost their stuff and I need new ones? Maybe I just need to loosen the nuts on the lever's. Unlikely as I don't believe they have ever been touched. Perhaps I just need to remove the shoes, clean everything up real well, lubricate the pivot points and all will be well again. Disc brakes would be nice but I like it the way it is warts and all. It's been my daily summer commuter for the last 4 years.

[Arizoni]

Without seeing the parts, I'm just guessing but I suspect that taking everything apart, wiping off all of the old brake dust and, most importantly, applying a light coating of high temperature grease to the break cam pivot points and a little oil to the other moving joints will fix the problem.

[REpozer]

This has helped me.
http://www.realclassic.co.uk/techfiles/tech05040400.html

[baird4444]

articles below are from my files...
sounds like a good cleaning using Brake Kleen or like product and
then a light  lube on the pivot points will do it. Careful not to over lube
as just a couple drops on the shoe can ruin...
              - Mike

[WB Chevy]

Thanks gentlemen. I am heading out to the shop to pull them apart and clean them up. I will reply on the result.

[WB Chevy]

Just finished. Whatever lubrication was applied to the pivot pins when the bike was built 12 years ago was long gone and had turned to putty. Although I store it inside, you could tell that in it's past life moisture had also played a part as there was some rust involved. Used the brake cleaner and cleaned it all up. Polished out the rust and applied the high temp lube (not too much). Put it all back together (twice) had the indicator pin 180 out. The linkage is free again and all is well. Thanks for the input. Too bad the ice won't let me out of my shop to check it out but it looks and feels right. Nice to have faith in the front brake again.

[Arizoni]

That's great news.
Things like the brake pivot pin which is kind of a PITA to have to mess with are usually lubricated or taken care of.

The rider, having never known how good the brakes should work usually just assumes, "yup.  The brakes need a real hard pull on them to get them to work but after all, these are those old style drum brakes that never really work well."

I've got a feeling that when you ride your bike the next time your going to be pleasantly surprised.

No, they won't be as good as a good set of disk brakes but usually they are more than enough unless they get wet.

[WB Chevy]

Couldn't take it. Going to be in the Teens for the next couple of days with the white stuff. Fired her up before it gets here and walked her through the ice. Brakes work great. Need a new cable though as the old one is pretty stretched. Nfield gear will be hearing from me. Gotta love January in Colorado.