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I am so glad I checked my back brakes!

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by avalanche81, Jun 26, 2010.

  1. avalanche81

    avalanche81 New Member

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    My first bike is an 81 Maxim 650, bought not running. My buddies and I have been slowly getting everything back into working order, but along the way, I found a potentially DISASTROUS situation when I checked my back brakes.

    I cannot believe what I saw when I pulled the brake shoe plate off my rear wheel. With a little WD40, the axle came out easy and we got the tire off without and trouble (thanks for all the threads of advice, it make the process very simple). When we pulled the plate off, it slid off smoothly, but the brake pads were still sitting in the drum, they didn't move an inch! Both had completely separated from the shoes! 8O Not just the edges starting to peel, but the two were not friends anymore and had parted ways.

    I cannot imagine what would have happened if I had taken the first ride on it before checking these. Beware of old brakes!
     
    avalanche81, Jun 26, 2010
    #1
  2. cutlass79500

    cutlass79500 Well-Known Member

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    common problem with xj glad you found it
     
    cutlass79500, Jun 26, 2010
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  3. krayzeesmoke

    krayzeesmoke Member

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    Huh, I should probably check mine, they work and I leave it at that. It is almost time for new tires and I am thinking of doing it myself, so at that time, I will keep a extra sharp eye on the brakes now, thanks
     
    krayzeesmoke, Jun 26, 2010
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  4. krayzeesmoke

    krayzeesmoke Member

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    Huh, I should probably check mine, they work and I leave it at that. It is almost time for new tires and I am thinking of doing it myself, so at that time, I will keep a extra sharp eye on the brakes now, thanks
     
    krayzeesmoke, Jun 26, 2010
    #4
  5. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    This message should be in the registration and sign-up stuff.
    There should be a special e-mail to all "noobs" that detail the most common failures of these XJ series bikes.

    This wouldn't be that hard to do. We're not even using the FAQ section.
    After 5 years we know what breaks on these bikes.
    On the FJR site there was a concise list of EVERY item that needs attention in one posting. We need that here.
     
    TIMEtoRIDE, Jun 26, 2010
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  6. avalanche81

    avalanche81 New Member

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    By the way, when we had the bike up on its center stand, the back brake seemed to be working fine when we would just spin the tire by hand and apply brakes.

    You gotta actually pull the tire off and look to be sure.
     
    avalanche81, Jun 26, 2010
    #6
  7. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    bigfitz52, Jun 27, 2010
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