Garelli brakes wearing out quickly

Aaron Turek /

Sep 06, 2019 12:10PM

I finally have my SSXL up and running and im starting to put some good miles on it. One issue I keep running into is my brakes seem to be wearing out freakishly fast. Like I'll have the rear tire locking up in the driveway and by the time I get across town I have to pull over and adjust the cable or set screw because they're getting weak.

Every time I go riding I need to pack tools and its starting to annoy me...

My buddy keeps telling me that the cable is just slipping but I am almost positive its not. I am also noticing brake dust on the rim.

These are the original brakes. Do those just get funky after all those years? just time to replace them?

Re: Garelli brakes wearing out quickly

live ɘvil /

themotorhead

Sep 06, 2019 09:57PM

There are four return springs on most Garellis for each brake. One spring that is almost always broken is at the perch inside each brake lever on handle bar. The second spring will be outside and near center of wheel on the brake backing plate and returns the brake arm which connects to end of cable. Third and fourth which are the most important springs are the ones attaching the pair of "shoes" inside each brake drum at center of wheel. Check all this first before proceeding.

Re: Garelli brakes wearing out quickly

Aaron Turek /

aturek415 OP

Sep 10, 2019 07:28AM

Thanks for this.

On both my Garelli's I do not have 4 springs but only 3. I seem to not have that return spring on the outside of the wheel.

None the less - I got in there and cleaned out springs on the shoes.. they were pretty crusty. After clean up, they work a heck of a lot better.

upon further investigation - These pads are pretty wore down.

They're just old and the originals. I have some old stock that might work but I might just go by new ones. They aren't that bad.

Re: Garelli brakes wearing out quickly

live ɘvil /

themotorhead

Sep 10, 2019 02:55PM

Before you tighten axle nuts, wrap a bungee cord around that brake lever and handle bar to apply brakes as you tighten the axle. This will center the backing plate and pads within the drum to help improve wear and braking power.

Re: Garelli brakes wearing out quickly

P D /

pdcomm

Sep 10, 2019 04:28PM

> live ɘvil Wrote:

> -------------------------------------------------------

> Before you tighten axle nuts, wrap a bungee cord around that brake lever

> and handle bar to apply brakes as you tighten the axle. This will center

> the backing plate and pads within the drum to help improve wear and

> braking power.

I've seen that^ posted before .

Doesn't the brake plate have a hole only big enough for the axle , which should center it ?

Or , are we concerned about a severely bent axle ? If so , are they commonly that weak ?

Re: Garelli brakes wearing out quickly

live ɘvil /

themotorhead

Sep 10, 2019 06:36PM

The Garelli (others too) brake backing plate is thin stamped steel. The hole often times has slop that will be accentuated by the threads of the axle. Ive seen a few bent axles too. Aluminum backing plates are thicker around the axle and much better fitting. I do it to all of them regardless.

Try it, you might like it.

Re: Garelli brakes wearing out quickly

P D /

pdcomm

Sep 10, 2019 07:16PM

> live ɘvil Wrote:

> -------------------------------------------------------

> The Garelli (others too) brake backing plate is thin stamped steel. The

> hole often times has slop that will be accentuated by the threads of the

> axle. Ive seen a few bent axles too. Aluminum backing plates are thicker

> around the axle and much better fitting. I do it to all of them

> regardless.

>

> Try it, you might like it.

Thanks for that^ . :)

I'm always learning .

I'm use to the bigger bikes that usually have a pretty substantial brake plate .

MOPED ARMY

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