What is this lug on rear brake for

[Guest]

I have just had my first attempt at polishing some alloy on the 550, thought I would try it out on something that was not on show much.
While rebuilding the rear wheel (new bearings X 3, skimmed brake drum, new linings machined to suit, etc) I have come across this lug cast into the rear brake backing plate that holds the brake shoes. I don't remember taking anything off here when I removed the rear wheel for frame powder coating. The backing plate is located in position by a torque arm from the lower extension from the backing plate. And the brake actuating lever is operated by a brake rod (not a cable).

The lug I am referring to is the one on the right of the drum with a slot in it.

[Hammered]

Short of a cable guide, I coudlnt say. The drum on my 1973 front hub has the same thing in about the same location. Is it possible that your bike was fitted with a rod instead of a cable at some time in the past? Seems all the photos I can find of the old GTs, have the rear pretty well hidden by the dual mufflers.

[dtkid]

I've got a GT550 and GT750.....I'm not at home but ain't that the guide for the cable?

[reddirtrider]

It holds the outside of the cable so the rear brake will function. Didn't you have a rear brake before you started?

[Hammered]

Hard to see in this photo but it appears to be the brake cable stay.

[mike_of_bbg]

His is probably like my 82 GS550L: the rear drum brake is actuated with a rod, not a cable. It's likely they just used the same part rather than re-tooling to save a few cents each.

[chef1366]

Yup, a cable stay.

[Suzuki_Don]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I have a rod operated rear brake.

[Steve]

Yeah, it's kinda like the headlight switch on the '81 models that has been locked into place.

They were working on changing it, but decided to use up all the old parts first.

.

[Suzuki_Don]

Thanks guys for the posts. I thought that was probably the case that it was used for a variety of models, but thought the plain slot in the lug was a bit ordinary. I thought a more permanent way of attaching the outer cable would have been used. It turns out the same part was used on the GT550 which had a cable operated rear brake.
No-one commented on my polishing effort. Was it that bad . . .

[chef1366]

Oh did I mention that the hub looks fantastic Don!!!!!

[Steve]

No-one commented on my polishing effort. Was it that bad . . .

Well, ... you said it was your first attempt, I wasn't sure if you meant "first attempt" or "first pass". (sorry)

When you are ready to "polish", let me know.

[chef1366]

You have WAY too much time on your hands Steve!
Actually it looks GREAT!

[duaneage]

Steve , you're such a showoff. Looks better than mine though, I should drop the bike off for the weekend and keep you busy.

[Suzuki_Don]

Well, ... you said it was your first attempt, I wasn't sure if you meant "first attempt" or "first pass". (sorry)

When you are ready to "polish", let me know.

What about this weekend Steve.

And Thanks Bill.

The main reason I actually did what I did was that there was some alloy corrosion and I thought I would clean it up while everything was apart. I started with 600 w+d then went to 1200 w+d and then the brown stuff on a rag wheel. An experiment really as I have never done any actual polishing before.

P.S. I used the rag wheel on my angle grinder as I found the drill too slow to get any decent results.

BTW STEVE do you want to run us through your procedure from start to finish to get the great shine that you are able to obtain. Tell us what tools are used to get it like that, polisher, drill, whatever and types of polish used and in what order.