What have I done to my brakes??

[Steve]

. BTW the springs pull the shoes closer together, they don't push them apart.

Quite correct, Don.

I was thinking about the spreading of brake pads, knowing that we were talking about shoes.

What I meant was "the springs act to release the brakes". Other than that, was my memory somewhat correct?
Do you still tighten the adjuster to take up all the slack, then back off to the last 'notch'?

.

[Suzuki_Don]

Quite correct, Don.

I was thinking about the spreading of brake pads, knowing that we were talking about shoes.

What I meant was "the springs act to release the brakes". Other than that, was my memory somewhat correct?
Do you still tighten the adjuster to take up all the slack, then back off to the last 'notch'?

.

Don't worry Steve you are only about 1% senile and that is much better than me, I'm down to about 20% at the present time and climbing (falling).

The only reason I know a bit about it is that I have a drum brake on my rear. Otherwise I'd be in the same boat as you trying to recall information from a bygone era.

I adjust the knob on the threaded rod until the brake foot pedal applies the braking effort that suits my riding style, i.e. what feels comfortable. Usually I like the pedal to go dowm about an inch before I apply pressure to the back brake, others will differ.