Author Topic: check that rear brake stay! (Read 4657 times)

eurban · « **on:** April 29, 2007, 06:44:55 AM »

Had some technical difficulties yesterday while riding at highway speeds. Went to apply the rear brake and upon doing so the brake pedal smacked back hard up at my foot followed by the sound of something dragging behind the bike. Pulled over and thanked my lucky stars! . . . Chain of events seems to have begun with the rear brake stay (78750K rear drum) no longer being attached at the frame mount. Shoe plate can now move when brakes are operated. Brakes are operated, shoe plate rotates clockwise shearing off the end of the splined brake cam, and bending the skinnny acutating rod. Rear brake arm was dragging behind the bike being held by the actuating rod. I have seen pics of the rod being twirled around the rear axel and heard stories of total rear lockup. I got off easy. Damage: brake cam (sheared off end), rear brake arm (ground up and damaged splines), brake stay front bolt (mia) and for piece of mind a new actuating rod. New OEM parts on order for about $90 although I am sure I could have found used ones for much less. I feel like $90 is pretty cheep considering what could have happened. . . . What happened to the front stay to frame "bolt"?? Well it is supposed to have a cotter pin to keep it from loosening up and falling out. Well I either didn't have the pin in place or neglected to bend the pin ends over. I thought I had a nyalock bolt on it for extra insurance but I am now doubtful. I have put my bike together from pieces so I am most certainly to blame. Many of these rear brake parts (as well as many other bike parts) have holes for cotter pins for good reason. Hopefully ya'll will take a peek to make sure things are right on your own ride!

medic09 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2007, 10:27:26 AM »

Thanks for the warning!

And I'll remind you to be sure and have a chain guard (after throwing my chain at about 90 mph).

mrbreeze · « **Reply #2 on:** April 29, 2007, 02:53:24 PM »

As soon as I read this post,I thought about the cotter pin to keep the bolt in place. After thinking about it......its probably something most of us don't check often enough or maybe overlook when servicing the rear wheel. EVERYONE........go out and look....make sure that bolt is tight and cotter pin is in place. I could see in my mind what kind of problems this could cause.Glad to hear you got off easy there Eurban.

333 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 29, 2007, 04:36:29 PM »

I do check them often, but I replaced both that one and the axle pin with J-clips. They always stay in place(so far,but it has been 15+ years). and I never have to replace them when removing them, something you should always do with cotters.

puppytrax · « **Reply #4 on:** April 29, 2007, 06:03:20 PM »

I went out and checked my front mount for the brake stay...it's got a split-nut on it; it turns but I can't turn the nut off...the whole bolt turns...the rear mount has a cotter pin in it (now)...

Is the front bolt supposed to be drilled for a cotter pin too??

HondaMan · « **Reply #5 on:** April 29, 2007, 06:12:08 PM »

Real good advice: I think I'll add this note to those who are having me rebuild their swingarms, for their safety!
Thanks!

Bodain · « **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2007, 08:01:34 PM »

I hear ya... I did the same thing on a 1965 Honda Super 90 I was restoring. It was my fault however as I simply forgot to tighten the nut.
Needless to say. It screwed things up very nicely.

eurban · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2007, 05:46:27 AM »

Quote from: puppytrax on April 29, 2007, 06:03:20 PM

I went out and checked my front mount for the brake stay...it's got a split-nut on it; it turns but I can't turn the nut off...the whole bolt turns...the rear mount has a cotter pin in it (now)...

Is the front bolt supposed to be drilled for a cotter pin too??

It may be model / year specific but the parts diagram for my 78750k shows a specialty bolt with a hole for a cotter. This bolt has an unthreaded thicker portion that the stay pivots on and a threaded smaller portion that has a washer, nut and then cotter go on. This is the bolt for the front attachment for the brake stay; where it mounts to the swing arm.

puppytrax · « **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2007, 08:26:58 AM »

I had some time to kill (waiting for the UPS guy to drop off a tire for my CL450), so I took the bolt off and drilled it for a cotter pin...can't hurt...

Also tightened up a bunch of loose nuts/bolts...I'd be willing to bet the PO had the motor out for something or other...

They were all loose...

dusterdude · « **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2007, 01:09:09 PM »

eric,glad things worked ok for ya

greenjeans · « **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2007, 01:38:01 PM »

reminders are always good.... I'm stopping off on my way home to pick up some new cotter pins.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2007, 01:41:29 PM »

Glad to hear u are still around to make us all aware of this...

Pinhead · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2007, 05:05:53 PM »

Wow, went out to check and mine was missing the cotter pin, too. I put on a nylock, spring washer, and a cotter pin just for good measure.

keiths · « **Reply #13 on:** April 30, 2007, 05:19:24 PM »

Back when I replaced my rear tire, I checked the drawings as I reassembled everything and I didn't remember taking a pin off. I was glad new tires were one of the fist things I replaced.

the nick · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2020, 07:10:03 PM »

Man oh man am I glad I found this thread! Checked the brake linkage on my “new” 550. Guess what? No cotter pin. And the rear axle but had a hitch pin older than I am. Purchased a set of new cotter pins today.

Rosinante · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2020, 03:48:24 PM »

I had the same experience as the Opening Poster. I survived unscathed, though the failure happened while I was riding the bike.
Cotter pins are important.

tool14 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2020, 04:08:58 PM »

always replace cotter pin with new one.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #17 on:** September 02, 2020, 02:34:25 PM »

This happens more often than you might think. When I bought my K1, the previous owner had been riding it with no rear brake for a while. He removed the damaged stay bar and left the brake operating rod where it “landed”. It pulled out of the pedal end lever and had wrapped itself around the rear hub!! The brake pedal was held up with a zip tie! I couldn’t believe it...... replace both pins.

Primus · « **Reply #18 on:** September 18, 2020, 06:26:28 AM »

I checked mine after reading this and guesss what? The split pin was missing on both ends of the rod. 2 new split pins duly fitted. Cheers matey.

Paul

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Author Topic: check that rear brake stay! (Read 4657 times)