Mechanic left rear drum too tight!

warriorpoet · 11-21-2014, 06:48 PM

Hey guys! I'm very new to motorcyles but im fairly mechanicly inclined. I dropped my bike off at the shop to get some new tires. I got it back and it ran great...super smooth wonderful ride. I noticed on my way home that it was hard to move the bike when it was in neutral. That little voice in my head told me to check it out but i ignored it. It would move but it wasnt near as easy as when i first got my bike. I drove it home and then drove it to work this morning....on my way to work i noticed a significant loss of power and smelled that wonderful burning smell. So i pulled over and my rear brake was smoking. I loosened the nut to release the tension and drove the rest of the way to work. The bike works fine but now the ride isnt as smooth. Any ideas what could be wrong? do i need a new drum brake?

raul10141964 · 11-21-2014, 06:58 PM

If the mechanic don't know haw to set the brake i will check if the spacers are install correctly

Water Warrior 2 · 11-22-2014, 12:46 AM

Here is what happened at the shop. The rear wheel was installed and likely the tech adjusted the chain slack for you and over did it slightly. By moving the wheel rearward for the chain adjust the rear brake drum actuating lever is pulled slightly. Hence, the rear brake drags and heats up. You backed off the brake and solved the problem. Good for you.

warriorpoet · 11-22-2014, 07:27 PM

Awesome! thanks water warrior! So now after riding it for a day ive found that the ride isnt as smooth as it was before....the brake works fine but there is a slight consistent bobbing coming from the back tire i believe. Could the brake being too tight cause the tire to be out of balance?

eranby · 11-23-2014, 12:00 AM

I would ask the tech to check the rear brake-there might be some debris
in that cause the problem, rear wheel balance has nothing to do with that.
best thing is open the rear brake and have good inspection on the brake shoes
condition.

Water Warrior 2 · 11-23-2014, 03:28 AM

How tight is the chain. If it was tightened too much it will act as a rebound spring when the rear suspension compresses as you ride. I noticed that on my Vstrom when a tech got enthusiastic about the first chain adjustment during the first servicing. I always did my own regular servicing after that.

11-21-2014, 06:48 PM	#1
warriorpoet Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 12	Mechanic left rear drum too tight! Hey guys! I'm very new to motorcyles but im fairly mechanicly inclined. I dropped my bike off at the shop to get some new tires. I got it back and it ran great...super smooth wonderful ride. I noticed on my way home that it was hard to move the bike when it was in neutral. That little voice in my head told me to check it out but i ignored it. It would move but it wasnt near as easy as when i first got my bike. I drove it home and then drove it to work this morning....on my way to work i noticed a significant loss of power and smelled that wonderful burning smell. So i pulled over and my rear brake was smoking. I loosened the nut to release the tension and drove the rest of the way to work. The bike works fine but now the ride isnt as smooth. Any ideas what could be wrong? do i need a new drum brake? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-22-2014, 12:46 AM	#3
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Here is what happened at the shop. The rear wheel was installed and likely the tech adjusted the chain slack for you and over did it slightly. By moving the wheel rearward for the chain adjust the rear brake drum actuating lever is pulled slightly. Hence, the rear brake drags and heats up. You backed off the brake and solved the problem. Good for you. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

11-23-2014, 12:00 AM	#5
eranby Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9	re I would ask the tech to check the rear brake-there might be some debris in that cause the problem, rear wheel balance has nothing to do with that. best thing is open the rear brake and have good inspection on the brake shoes condition. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-21-2014, 06:58 PM	#2
raul10141964 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Elkhart, Indiana Posts: 369	If the mechanic don't know haw to set the brake i will check if the spacers are install correctly
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11-22-2014, 07:27 PM	#4
warriorpoet Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 12	Awesome! thanks water warrior! So now after riding it for a day ive found that the ride isnt as smooth as it was before....the brake works fine but there is a slight consistent bobbing coming from the back tire i believe. Could the brake being too tight cause the tire to be out of balance?
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11-23-2014, 03:28 AM	#6
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	How tight is the chain. If it was tightened too much it will act as a rebound spring when the rear suspension compresses as you ride. I noticed that on my Vstrom when a tech got enthusiastic about the first chain adjustment during the first servicing. I always did my own regular servicing after that.
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