SAFETY ALERT Drum rear brake bike owners please take a look

Good read! To do...thanks for posting.

 

Looks like we have a handful of new XJ owners who, from the sound of things, really need to read this. You cannot just get one of these bikes running and start riding it while putting off neglected maintenance. It could literally kill you. REAR BRAKE DELAMINATION COULD KILL YOU if it happens at an "inconvenient" time. When is a convenient time for an unexpected rear wheel lockup? (You won't get to choose, nor will there be any warning.)

So once more, for hopefully the desired effect: If you just got an XJ and have begun riding it, STOP DOING SO until you've checked your rear brake. This failure is very common, easily repaired, and extremely dangerous if the possibility is simply ignored because the brake "feels fine." You absolutely have to take it apart and look. Go back to the beginning of this thread and look at the photos.

 

¡¡Hola!! Empecé con la restauración de mi xj750 82 35000 millas que había estado parada durante 20 años. Encontré los frenos traseros deslaminados como alerta este foro. En mi país no se encuentra disponible el repuesto, por lo que estoy pensando en llevarlo a un especialista para que reemplace el material degradado por uno nuevo. ¡¡Salud!!

 

In the olden days they were riveted to the shoe, sounds a better system having read all the horror stories! - - nostalgia, it`s not what it used to be..

 

I fitted new shoes, bike off road for at least 13 years, as I tighten the axle nut, the wheel binds and almost locks up completely. Its like I am missing a washer/shim somewhere. Gutted cos I was going to a show tomorrow. I have had the wheel in and out 10 times, all washers are present ( though not standard probably) brake torque arm ok, brake adjuster backed off, I did note the hole in the axle for a rod to hold it while tightening the axle nut is partly covered by the swingarm collar. I would have thought it would be well clear.

 

Definitely be sure on that

Here is a good thread that might help, I can't explain why the order of the pinch bolt nut seemed to work for him, as it should be last like k-moe mentions in the thread

https://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/am-i-missing-something-stupid-rear-wheel-installation.73506/

 

OMG - I wish I had been patient and waited for this link before setting off for the bike show (without this spacer) . Going for second gear resulted in the most dreaded grinding crunching noise. I have ordered the spacer mentioned, when it arrives will say several prayers I havent killed the final drive gear. Thanks anyway, I will do some form of penance if I have got away with this

 

Is your clutch cable adjusted properly? That missing spacer would not cause any grinding noises.

 

Did you solve this?

 

I will check cable again, I have received the spacer, it looks too long - part no. 90387-172A5 2 3/4inch/70mm compared to the parts diagram, which is only a schematic to be fair

 

annoyingly, i can only work on the bike outside, and its been somewhat inclement

 

Fitted the spacer, and OEM proper thick plate washers to the axle, and all is well with the wheel (no binding
Set off for a short test ride and the wheel locked completely when second gear was engaged. Had to push it home with the clutch pulled in.

 

Mine look good but I’ll check. It’s been on the garage for 3 years. I recently took the bike on the road again.
Thank for the heads up.