How To Adjust The Drum Brakes On Your Two-wheeler - BikeWale

How to adjust the drum brakes on your two-wheeler

How to adjust the drum brakes on your two-wheeler

Drum brakes were used on two-wheelers even before disc brakes were introduced. Unless the brake pads are completely worn out, these brakes can be adjusted easily without the help of a mechanic.

They need your attention when you find the brakes to be a little squishy, which also means you have to push it a long way to actuate the brake. Also if there's not enough bite upon pressing, you know you will need to adjust them. We will show you a simple way to adjust this on any motorcycle/scooter with this drum brake set-up.

Here we have used a Hero Impulse and a Hero Pleasure to demonstrate the process. A drum brake set-up on a scooter or motorcycle has the same working process whether it's in the front or the rear.

Process -

How to adjust the drum brakes on your two-wheeler

- You will notice a movable arm connected to a brake rod near the wheel’s hub. There is a small spring and a nut attached to it. This is the nut which needs to be moved clockwise for tightening the brake and vice-versa.

How to adjust the drum brakes on your two-wheeler

- Generally this nut can be moved with your hand by pulling the arm.

How to adjust the drum brakes on your two-wheeler

- However, if you find it too tight, you can use a 14mm spanner to loosen/tighten it.

How to adjust the drum brakes on your two-wheeler

- As you keep tightening this nut, the play in the brake lever will decrease.

How to adjust the drum brakes on your two-wheeler

- Keep checking if the wheel is free and is not stopping except when brakes are applied.

How to adjust the drum brakes on your two-wheeler

- Make sure you don't tighten it too much or adjust it too close. There should be some play at the brake lever.

How to adjust the drum brakes on your two-wheeler

- Take a short ride to confirm the brake adjustment and if the pedal/lever operates and the brake functions properly.

Pictures by Kapil Angane

Tag » How To Adjust A Drum Brake