Rear brake adjustment

I adjust my rear brake to achieve about 1/2 to 3/4 inch freeplay. But when I'm moving and apply the brakes the freeplay seems to increase to 2 inches or more. I'm afraid to lessen the freeplay, I don't want the brake to be dragging, but I'd like the pedal apply point to be alittle higher when I brake. Is this something normal? The wear indicator is about half way, so I don't think I need shoes. And I'll have to check to be sure but I think the pedal lever level is also adjusted properly.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

I have a similar issue Rich, I just learned to work with it. Let's see what answers you get. I curious too.

 

Robert, I just replaced my rear tire Saturday. While I had it off I noticed the shoes were glazed, so I sanded them down a little. Now the brakes seem to work much better without all the extra travel. I'm much happier now with the rear brake action.

 

Glaze? I'm left wondering how all the "extra" travel occured for you to begin with if that was all it took. You sure there were no other issues present? Rear brake system is as simple as it gets, only pad wear and physical damage would cause excessive play. ??? I'm stumped but happy for you! Oh yes, thanks for getting back to us!

 

Adjust the whole nine yards. Set your pedal height to LEVEL. Head on back to the rear of the bike. If the adjusting nut is already turned-in (tightened) beyond 10 threads ... remove it and repostition the camshaft lever COUNTERCLOCKWISE a spline or two (or more) ... until you have the camshaft lever where the adjusting nut on the actuating lever shows 6 threads ... the adjusting START position. Carry-out an adjusting of the brake with you upon the bike and an assistant making adjustment to BOTH the pedal height and the adjustment nut until you are comfortable with where the brakes bind. Lock-up the pedal height. Test. Re-test. When you have the rear brake just the way you like it -- COLD -- you'll have plenty of threaded actuating rod to -- back-off -- on, if the brakes bind.
When you have achieved Rear-Brake-Nervana and are delighted with freeplay and pedal height ... finish the job by adjusting the rear brake light switch to allow the contacts to be closed slightly before the binders do their grabbing! If you have reason to believe that the brake shoes are overheat-glazed ... you can break the glaze using #180 sanding paper. (Note to DIY'ers on this -- If you are having a problem with too much free-play ... AND ... the brakes are "Dragging" -- or -- "Locking-up" after you have adjusted and re-adjusted them ... that's a pretty good sign that you ""Reversed"" the position of the two shoes when installed. DON'T rely on --- installing them exactly as the ones you removed !@!! Somebody else might have reversed the ones YOU removed!