Rear brake locking issue

[jonnyLow]

1976 cb750k. Drum brakes in the rear.

Sometimes when I am slowly coming to a stop, right as I am about stopped, the rear brake pedal kind of 'goes slack'. As in, I feel the brakes engaging, then right as I have come to a stop, the brake pedal kind of has a lot more travel in it, and it feels as if it is doing nothing.

Once I am stopped and this has happened, I can press/depress the pedal and it seems as if nothing is happening. The brakes are not engaging etc....

Once I start again, if I just touch the brake pedal, the brakes re-engage and lock the rear tire up for a few seconds. I have to come to a stop, then start again and they seem fine.

On a side note, I know my rear wheel bearings need to be replaced, could this have anything to do with that?

Thanks.

[cdaiscool]

I would first check the linkage, make sure everything's fine there. If so, then replace the wheel bearing as you said.

If the wheel bearing's locking up, it could be causing the tire to lock, versus the brake. If so, dude that's scary. Imagine if you're going 60, and suddenly that rear tire locks up. And doesn't free itself.

Ouch.

[sgtslag]

I discussed this with my auto mechanic, recently.  I thought a wheel bearing on my daily driver was going out (it was).  I suggested that the wheel might seize up on me, at highway speeds.  He replied that it would have too much torque to lock, rather the wheel would likely come off!  Granted, a bike won't have the torque that a car would, but locking, or coming off, either would be catastrophic!  Get it checked, and fixed, ASAP!  Best of luck!  Cheers!

PS:

If you don't wear protective gear (armored jacket, chaps/over-pants, gloves, full-face helmet), you may want to reconsider.  I took a low-side, last Fall, at 40 MPH.  My gear (as listed above) helped me to walk away with only a small bruise on the back of one hand.  Just a friendly suggestion.  Your life, your decision.

[seestheday]

Don't want to derail, but Are chaps useful?  Aren't you highly likely to slide on your ass?

[sgtslag]

I slid on my bum, for probably 15 feet, out of 40.  Yes, you will slide on your bum, and it will wear through denim, v-e-r-y quickly...  However, the key, even if you are wearing full leathers, is to remember to rotate:  even leather will burn through, if you slide far enough.

I was laying on my back, sliding, looking between my feet to see if there was a car approaching.  I had to decide, very fast, which way I would roll, to avoid any oncoming vehicles.  None were coming, so I rolled on my right side.  My denim, miraculously, did not burn through; I still wear the same chaps, even though they have some gray marks, where they slid on the tar road.  My son, however, had no chaps on:  he burned through his leather wallet (which saved his cheek!), then he burned through his denim pant leg, and suffered some road rash (he was my passenger on that ride).   Cheers!

[jonnyLow]

I still haven't figured out what could be causing my rear brake problem. Could the wheel bearings have any effect on the brakes at all??

[rrgunslinger]

Sounds like you need new break shoes to me.

Harvey

On May 23, 2012 3:51 PM, "jonnyLow [via Honda CB750'S]" <[hidden email]> wrote:

I still haven't figured out what could be causing my rear brake problem. Could the wheel bearings have any effect on the brakes at all??

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[jonnyLow]

Just wanted to update this. Found out the problem was the brake cam was sticking. Cleaned and it seems to be working.