OK, Let's Talk Trike Brakes (Magnum) By ellpee (Read 1,931 times)

[ellpee]

Yeah, stuff like pistons and other major engine components would be tricky; I was thinking more of the typical "shade tree mechanic" stuff like oil/air/fuel filters, brake pads and shoes, belts, chains, that kind of stuff. Things that just wear out from normal use over time. But I'm not motivated enough to do it myself, so it's easy for me to sound off about what somebody else ought to do. Thank goodness for all those sites on the Internet, and for the folks here who can point me to them.

[ellpee]

While waiting for the new pads, I decided to overhaul the RIGHT rear brakes as well, and discovered something odd, at least to me.
One of my pix, repeated here

s982.photobucket.com/user/paholskila/media/007ScooterBrakes_zps3aedd70f.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

shows a metal plate with two slide rods, and ONE rubber O-ring that, when I dismantled the LEFT caliper, was split. The other slide rod had no O-ring at all on it. I concluded that the O-rings had split and one of the two fell completely off.

Well, to my surprise, when I dismantled the RIGHT caliper I found the identical situation. One rod had no O-ring, the other had an O-ring but it was split. So now I'm questioning my own analysis of what I found. Can anybody think of any reason why only one of those slide rods would have an O-ring at all, and why in both cases the one O-ring was split? If anybody knows a reason why it was the way it was, I'll put everything back the way I found it when I install the new pads. Otherwise, I'm going to install new, non-split O-rings on both of those slide rods and hope I guessed right.

[alleyoop]

Look for any numbers or name on the Caliper itself, so maybe I can find a Diagram for it. I found one that has the same type of Pads Square inserts for a Yamaha. Also how many pistons 1,2,4 on the calipers?
Alleyoop

[ellpee]

One piston. Pads in your diagram don't look at all like mine. And I don't see any O-rings whatsoever in your diagram, though not sure about a couple things with #10. .

[alleyoop]

Need a little more help from your end bud, like I said look for some Idenfication of the type of caliper that is on there.
Alleyoop

[ellpee]

Will check this morning and re-post. Best I can recall no numbers whatsoever, but if not I'll take and post a picture.

UPDATE: Nope, no numbers whatsoever, but here are four pictures.

s982.photobucket.com/user/paholskila/media/004ScooterBrakes_zps0421968f.jpg.html

s982.photobucket.com/user/paholskila/media/001ScooterBrakes_zps6847f7cd.jpg.html

s982.photobucket.com/user/paholskila/media/002ScooterBrakes_zps5a2153cc.jpg.html

s982.photobucket.com/user/paholskila/media/003ScooterBrakes_zps846a6fb9.jpg.html


These show the caliper from back {inside}, top, front (outside), and bottom. In the bottom view, you can see the two O-rings in question right by my thumb and forefinger. I put one on each of the side rods, but it's now looking to me like originally only one rod on each caliper had an O-ring, and on both calipers that ring was broken or cut or whatever. Intentional? Coincidence?

[alleyoop]

If it is an O-Ring it was broken, never seen a Rubber O-ring split on purpose.
Alleyoop

[ellpee]

Well, if that's the case then I'm going to stick with my original theory: that BOTH slide rods are supposed to have an O-ring, and that, incredible as it sounds, on BOTH calipers one O-ring broke and fell off completely, the other broke but hadn't fallen off yet. What are the odds of that, and after only 720 miles??!! Will check back here for awhile in case somebody has another explanation to offer, but when the pads come in the first of the week, I'll git 'er back on the road with two O-rings per side. Only one more month here in Ruidoso, then the Magnum goes to bed for the winter.

[alleyoop]

That is what I would do as well Ellpee, what do the O-Rings go against anyway?? And O-Ring is usually used to seal something and or cushion something.
Alleyoop

[ellpee]

It appears to me these are for cushioning. There are four other smaller O-rings, two per slide rod, that sit in little recesses in the caliper body, and it seems pretty clear those are intended to keep lubricant inside the slide rod channel and keep crud out of same. These two sit between the body of the caliper and the sliding metal plate, and to get the pads on I actually have to compress these O-rings a bit with a clamp or channel locks -- very tight fit. The two main caliper bolts go through the caliper body, through a metal plate on the frame, and screw into the sliding metal plate with the two slide rods. Frankly I can't figure out what the slide rods are all about, because when the caliper bolts are in place and good'n'tight, ain't no slidin' goin' on. There is, however, a spacer involved, and I suppose thicker or thinner spacers would let you better align the caliper with the disc.

[ellpee]

Thought I'd better report back. New pads arrived today, installed them in 30 minutes or so, took a short spin around the neighborhood, and all seems good once again. Thanks for the post that directed me to the right (ATV) website. Great timing, the big annual motorcycle rally is going on this weekend in Ruidoso, so I hope (weather permitting) to buzz around the village and make all the Harley people envious. (Or I might get my A$$ kicked, who knows!) Anyway, back on the road, and still hoping to get to 1000 miles before putting the Magnum to bed for the winter.

[wolfhound]

Am I the only guy on here with a scooter/sidecar rig?? That does qualify as a 3 wheeler, doesn't it??

[alleyoop]

HAHAHA, qualifies as a three wheeler BUT NOT A TRIKE.
Alleyoop