rear brake indicator

[ajax]

2001 Suzuki Savage 650 LS Hello I am trying to figure out how to read the rear brake indicator in order to check my rear brakes for wear. The following is what I think is correct: As I press the rear brake pedal as hard as I can, I see a cable attached to an arm, on the hub, which moves to the right. At the top of this arm is a slit. This slit moves to the left towards the brake indicator. As long as this slit on the arm is between the indicator marks, my rear brakes are ok. Am I correct? Or should I be looking at something else? Additionally, if I press the rear brake pedal as hard as I can and if the slit on the arm only goes to the first mark (the first mark I am speaking of is the mark nearest to the axle) or goes near the first mark of the indicator, my brakes are in very good shape. If, on the other hand, the slit on the arm goes to the second indicator mark or near it, my brakes are close to bad and need changing. Correct or not? If not correct, then would you please explain. Just got my first bike in May. Got my license in August. Before then I knew nothing about a motorcycle. So in your response, please explain in detail. thanks!

[Motorcycle Forum]

[DrBob]

Yes, you are correct. When you mash down on the brake pedal, as long as the slitin the arm points someplace between the indicator marks, you are fine. The rear brakes on these bike last a good long time, so check the indicator marks every now and then, and just ask the tech to put an eyeball on the shoes and drum lining whenever you get tires.

[ajax]

Yes, you are correct. When you mash down on the brake pedal, as long as the slitin the arm points someplace between the indicator marks, you are fine. The rear brakes on these bike last a good long time, so check the indicator marks every now and then, and just ask the tech to put an eyeball on the shoes and drum lining whenever you get tires.

Gee! I was correct! I didn't know for sure. What I said was just a reasonable guess. This is great to know. Thank you so much! I was beginning to think no one was going to answer my question because either I was to wordy, or they would have thought I knew the answer already and was just wasting their time. Actually, the slit on the arm doesn't point between the marks, when I mash down on the rear brake. I give it a really good hard mash down too. The slit doesn't move past the first indicator mark, which is closest to the axle. This tells me my brakes are in very good shape. I may have covered the last couple of sentences in my first post. But I don't have the post in front of me, as I type this. But just to be sure, am I correct, Dr. Bob?

[DrBob]

Yes, you are correct, unless someone for some reason removed the arm and put it back on wrong, which is unlikely because there is no real reason to remove it. Unless the rear brake acts funny or makes strange noises, forget about it, and ask the tech to put an eyeball on the rear brakes next time you buy a rear tire. I've seen the rear brakes on these bikes last for 30,000-50,000 miles, because the bike is so light and more people do not use the rear brake very aggressively, so I would not worry about it. Keep an eye on the front brake though- it will only last a quarter of the mileage, as it does 70-80% of the braking. But the front brake is very easy to inspect.


Oh, don't be too impatient waiting for a response during the weekday, as most folks have limited ability to answer from work, so many posts are not answered until after people get home in the evening. You get a quick answer today because I came inside for a sandwich, but I will be unavailable for most of the afternoon, as I have a '93 FXDL on the lift that needs a new primary drive by 5 PM.