Author Topic: Centering a drum brake plate.  (Read 6015 times)

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Offline MCRider

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Centering a drum brake plate.
« on: January 04, 2010, 09:34:23 AM »
I got this from RaceTech.com. I had them "arc" the rear brake on my Phaedrus projet, CB750K2. That is an old art of first turning the brake drum on a brake lathe. Then grinding the brake shoes to match the arc of the drum for maximum contact.

But to the subject of this post, anyone can center their brake plate when installing. You should tighten the axle only a bit. Then engage the brake either by hand or have someone step on the pedal. This will center the brake plate, taking up any of the slack clearance it may have between it and the axle. While the brake is engaged, tighten the axle.

If yours was off, this can improve the feel and power of the drum brake, reducing fade, and potential of glazing the shoe at a hot spot.
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline 754

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Re: Centering a drum brake plate.
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2010, 08:31:35 PM »
Been doing that for years, works great..
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
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Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline Zaipai

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Re: Centering a drum brake plate.
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2010, 08:35:54 PM »
This is some thing I did not know. I will do this for sure during the putting back to gether phase!

Thanks!!!

.: Scott :.
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Offline Steve F

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Re: Centering a drum brake plate.
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2010, 06:43:13 AM »
I'm so glad I have disc brakes...... ;D

Offline 754

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Re: Centering a drum brake plate.
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2010, 08:36:08 PM »
Oh yeah, wait till you get;
 stuck piston...

 pitted piston...

 dragging piston..

 Warped or dished rotor..

 pull your front brake lever back to the throttle grip, when wet & it does not even slow down....

 get some nice Dot 3 on your paint..

 etc..

 
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline Steve F

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Re: Centering a drum brake plate.
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2010, 04:26:05 AM »
Oh yeah, wait till you get;
 stuck piston...

 pitted piston...

 dragging piston..

 Warped or dished rotor..

 pull your front brake lever back to the throttle grip, when wet & it does not even slow down....

 get some nice Dot 3 on your paint..

 etc..

 
Been there...Done ALL that and still glad I have disc. ;)  Drilled rotors..not problem in the wet, pistons new in stainless steel..."last long time",  rotors still good after 30k miles,  DOT3 on the paint??? don't YOU have a front disc too?

Offline 754

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Re: Centering a drum brake plate.
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2010, 09:28:52 AM »
Yup, I do.. run dot 5 usually, is it dragging yes.. >:(

 I dont dislike my rear drum enough to change it, but will eventually go disc to be able to build a really light wheel.
 If the only way to have a rear disc on a 750 was to run a comstar, I would never run one..

 I was just pinting out though that discs are not trouble free, and can have more problems than drums after sitting for a few years..
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline Steve F

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Re: Centering a drum brake plate.
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2010, 09:44:37 AM »
Yup, I do.. run dot 5 usually, is it dragging yes.. >:(

 I dont dislike my rear drum enough to change it, but will eventually go disc to be able to build a really light wheel.
 If the only way to have a rear disc on a 750 was to run a comstar, I would never run one..

 I was just pinting out though that discs are not trouble free, and can have more problems than drums after sitting for a few years..
Oh, I agree with you on not being trouble free, anything mechanical is gonna eventually have troubles.  I also agree about the Comstars...some like 'em, some don't and I prefer the wire spokes on the '75-'76F's.