New Drum Brake Pads

[AndrewB]

I installed a new set of aftermarket brake pads and springs that I purchased from Motobins UK.
 
The only way I can get any good brake power is to adjust them so the pads are slightly rubbing even when the pedal is not depressed.
If I back the adjustment off so the wheel spins freely the brakes have no power when I depress the pedal.

What is the proper adjustment?
Is there a break in period?

[Bob_Roller]

There are two different brake shoes for the R65, I can't tell if you have an LS model bike or not .

The usual problem, is installing the standard R65 shoes on an LS, the LS has a larger diameter brake drum than a standard R65, so if you install the standard shoes on an LS, you can't get much braking from the rear , even with the adjuster at the full travel of adjustment .

What brand brake shoes did you install ?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Yep - always easier when we know what kind of bike you are working on.

[AndrewB]

Sorry, it's a 83 R65, not a LS.

The shoes from Motobins are part #24800

http://www.motobins.co.uk/displayfinal.php?q=24800&go=GO

Springs are part #20700

I took the wheel off last night, the shoes look like there seated fine and the action seams correct.

I noticed that only the middle of the length of the pads show contact wear and that it's only a 1/3 to a 1/2 of the width of the pad.

[Lucky_Lou]

Dont know if im alone on this i always told  to scuff brake shoes with sand paper before fitting as it helps them bed in unlike disc brake pads which work at higher pressures, scuff them it may solve the problem.If it persists then when you check them again you will be able to tell if they are seating right
Lou .

[montmil]

... I noticed that only the middle of the length of the pads show contact wear and that it's only a 1/3 to a 1/2 of the width of the pad.

Brake shoes with minimal contact on the drums may indicate a worn beyond tolerances brake drum. How many miles on your R65?

You may need to take the wheel/drum assembly and the shoes to a shop with the proper equipment to grind the shoes to match the drum.

Monte

[fermin]

Dont new shoes take a bit of time to adjust until they wear evenly and match the drum?. The sandpaper idea may accelerate this process.

[AndrewB]

Thanks for the in put everyone.

My bike has 45K miles.

I was thinking about setting the brakes w/ a little drag to get them to bed in at a quicker rate, although a little worried the drums might heat up too much.

I don't have a feeler gauge large enough to measure the drums but suspect they're close to being beyond tolerance. I still had 2.5 mm of pad left on my old set.

A friend at work thought that shops (at least here in California) would no longer shape the pads because of the asbestos being released.

[bruce_launceston]

It's unlikely that there would be any asbestos in new brake shoes.

[AndrewB]

I the shoes I have are definitely not the LS shoes pictured on the Motobins site. I dug the packaging out of the trash, the brand is Ferodo.

They were a lot less expensive than the OEM.

Has anyone else used these shoes?

[montmil]

Last rear brake shoes I fit to the '81 R65 were Ferodo, from Motobins.

Monte

[Bob_Roller]

How do the new parts compare to the worn parts you removed ?

Any noticeable differences between the two ?

[montmil]

How do the new parts compare to the worn parts you removed ? Any noticeable differences between the two ?

Bob, Is this question for me or AndyB?

Monte

[AndrewB]

I made a few calls and found a shop that will arc the shoes. I'm going to bring them in this week.

Found out that most shops will no longer do this in Los Angeles, but a few still do.

As far as the design, the springs and shoes seem very similar, not sure about the pad material though.

[Bob_Roller]

One thing I forgot to ask, check the arm that goes onto the brake shaft at the final drive, there should be a mark on it, looks like a dimple from a center punch .

This mark should be in line with the gap in the arm .