cb550f brake drum problems.

[mat4]

Hello, I have a 1979 cb550f and have noticed that the rear brake drum steel liner has warped and cracked, I am told this is quite a common problem and happens when the alloy corodes beneath the steel liner causing it to warp,  I am finding it hard to find someone who can re line the drum, any one had similar problems? any ideas? thanks.

[SteveD CB500K0]

It's a very common problem. There are at least two members here who can reline brake drums.

Where are you?

[SteveD CB500K0]

Matthewmosse seems like a good bet.

http://www.honda-sohc.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1719.0

[matthewmosse]

If you have a lathe then have a go. For small lathes like mine you'll need to strip the rim and spokes off the wheel. There are probably specialist suppliers for linings but I've found rover mini drums can be adapted to fit. Try ebay for a good wheel, comstars from a cb650 will fit no problems. Some people have fitted yamaha xs250/400 rear wheels which should be easy to source, scrappies by me has a few. If there's no luck I might consider a px of you're cracked hub for one I've already re lined. I'm not a trained engineer though, (only trained for welding, blacksmithing and care working) only fair I say this up front. I'm using one I re lined in my 500/4 sidecar outfit and it does to work ok. I also have a sound wheel with a 16" rim and tyre which just fits but is really too close to brake torqe arm. I've no idea if the spare hub I re lined is off a cb 550 or 500 as I've both bikes around and they are interchangeable but I think there are cosmetic differences. Also some backplates don't seem to fit other wheels so try to keep them as a set.

[SteveD CB500K0]

I've asked Bryan Jones for his contact.

Watch this space.

[Bryanj]

1979? must be NOS.

Paul Jackson Huddersfield Junction 23 M62

01422 378100

does an A1 job but does need time to obtain the correct material and can repair with the wheel assembled--except for tyre

[SteveD CB500K0]

Thanks Bryan and welcome to the UK Chapter!

You'll recognise a few names here and you won't find 10 page rants on guns, pickups, Chevy big block thingies and Bush.

Well I hope not anyway!

[matthewmosse]

Just out of interest, how much would a rear brake relining job cost? My dads bike has cast wheels and is past tolerecnce on 2 sets now. (cast wheels are too big for my current lathe) It's also interesting to figure out how close to paying for itself my lathe is in savings. Ps when my workshop is properly sorted I'll be willing to take on a few jobs like welding or 1 off pieces on the lathe etc if members on this forum are stuck with finding someone who can do a job. Because I'm just an enthusiast who's lucky enough (and has saved up for) a reasonaby well equipped workshop I can help getting a project on the road, My prime motivation for making this offer is I know how frustrating it is when somethig goes wrong with your pride and joy and all you can get from the pro's is a derisive snort and / or a refusal to do the work because "It'll cost more than the bikes worth mate" Like I care, If I can keep a bike going for a few more years then thats worth it. After all re using stuff is really just another better way to re cycle Oh yes, and I like old bikes. Ok rant over..........

[mat4]

Cheers guys, Thanks to your help I now have a number of possible solutions to the problem, I will try to get in touch with paul jackson, (not in at moment) or if he can't help then I may take mathewmouse up on the kind offers to help.  I'ts true about how useless most of the so called brake engineering firms are out there and even those companies who specialise in classic bike brake repairs, I've phoned loads of places with no luck. I am in chester UK.  My aim is to keep the bike as it left the factory using as many of the original parts as I possably can so a repair of an existing part is always preferable to me rather than a replacement.

[Bryanj]

I had 3 done at the same time with no rush on turnaround, took 6 months to find the correct size cast tube----but he can do it a lot quicker if he "manufactures" a steel band--- and he did me a special price of

[mat4]

Just phoned paul jackson and he has quoted me

[SteveD CB500K0]

New spokes or re-use?

That's a good price for a wheel rebuild, let alone a refurbed drum brake!

[matthewmosse]

Cor, thats good value, Ok I save quite a bit of cash but if I cost in my time it probably wouldn't be worth it. Still, like other members of the group I enjoy the satisfaction of fixing stuff myself and the challenge of keeping the budget tight (Like me)

[Bryanj]

No problem, just be advised if you go to visit that his workshop is kind of the agricultural back yard shed of yesteryear behind a house that obviously belongs to an engineer not a builder!----but who gives a stuff he does a great job

[mat4]

Hi, The last owner of the bike had good intentions with the bike but took a few daft shortcuts that are fake economy. He had the rear wheel rebuilt with stainless spokes but then scrimped and used a crap, cheaply chromed rim which is now so rusty that there is barely any chrome left on it at all!  So I have striped the wheel to bits and will throw the rim and have paul re build the wheel using the existing spokes and a new stainless rim supplied by him. Just hope it wont take 6 months!  ride safe.