Do I really need my rear brake?

[Steam]

Okay okay, this sounds like a Renegade Master question, but really, do I?
I mean, I hardly ever use it anyway.
I'd like to go off to the KB gathering in Turangi tomorrow but my rear brake is stuck on slightly due to an old piston seal not retracting properly.
The pads rub against the disc, and it gets too hot to touch. So I'd just detach it and drain the fluid till I can get it fixed next week.
This is a really bad idea, eh?

Thanks to Renegade Master for paving the way for this question.

[kevfromcoro]

sounds like it wouldnt be to hard to fix the rear caliper.....pull it off and clean it up..as far as riding without a back brake.........dont think its a very good idea at all.......

[tri boy]

Check that your pedal linkage has some freeplay at the master cylinder pin.
The link needs 2-3mm to ensure that the cylinder rod returns completely.
This can cause dragging brakes.
Don't travel on it if you don't have full confidence in your brakes.
Hitchhike there instead.

[Drum]

....This is a really bad idea, eh?.....

Yeah, I reckon it is Steam. Bikes gotta be fully functioning eh.

[ZeroIndex]

Go on... I dare 'ya... go ahead, see what happens

[moT]

nah u will be sweet u dont need it

[James Deuce]

Looks like Tom has got his June Muppet nomination in early.

[xgnr]

No don't do it!!! Get the damn thing fixed. You need both brakes

[ZeroIndex]

Go on... I dare 'ya... go ahead, see what happens

nah u will be sweet u dont need it

Looks like Tom has got his June Muppet nomination in early.

I've watched a couple of "Learn how to wheelie" videos, and in them, they talk about the rear brake, like it's some mysterious object that has never even been touched... They go on to say "Many of you have probably never even used your rear brake before, but when pulling a wheelie, you need to use it if the front goes up to high" or something of that extent

[Drew]

Both brakes are required, but I know I'd just disconnect them and ride without for a day or two, so cant tell you not to.

[Colapop]

James ya dick! Didn't you just do RRRS? And they didn't teach you nothing? Do you know why there's a wof system? Not bagging you bro, but use the pimple on your shoulders....


(yeah yeah I know Hitch.. bad grammar)

[Steam]

Heh, thanks Cola, nah, I won't do it, didn't really seriously consider it. (but this thread wasn't a troll, I swear!)

I did just do RRRS, and interestingly they said "In an emergency braking situation, don't worry about the back brake, just concentrate 100% on the front brake."
They had good reasons which I can't be bothered to repeat here, but it was interesting.

I shall use my pimple in future, if it doesn't pop first.

James ya dick! Didn't you just do RRRS? And they didn't teach you nothing?

[xwhatsit]

First of all -- don't you have two bikes? Or three? The GN sold, didn't it?

Personally I use my rear brake a lot -- it's wonderful in stop-start 5kph traffic. I use it when cornering at a (for me) brisk pace. Perfect for pulling up to the lights with my recalcitrant engine; whack into first gear, pull the clutch, blip the throttle with all my hand (otherwise it'll stall -- you have to be veeeeewry smooth, which means all your fingers) and slow the last few kph to a stop. Of course I cover my front brake nearly all the time, and use it for stopping/slowing for >8kph, but I'd be lost without my rear.

It's a drum brake, too, so it has wonderful feel and bite compared to the softcock miniature single front disc. I love drum brakes, I want a TLS front end. Plus you don't have to arse about with flaming piston seals like you've discovered.

[Steam]

First of all -- don't you have two bikes? Or three? The GN sold, didn't it?

Yes, I have only two now, but I'm not keen to ride the SR250 up to Turangi, it's a bit uncomfortable for long rides now I've made it all nasty.

[when braking I... blip the throttle with all my hand (otherwise it'll stall -- you have to be veeeeewry smooth, which means all your fingers) and slow the last few kph to a stop.

My bike does the same, stalls at the lights as I brake. Something to do with braking altering the fuel mix in the carbs? What is it that does that? It's annoying. I have to blip the throttle ever so slightly, just as you describe.

[Terminated]

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