82 GS300L - front brake shoe size?

[Guest]

I'm working on my wife's 1982 GS300L and I'm trying to figure out the front drum brake - I can't find the brake shoe size. The manual says the drum is 180.7mm, but doesn't have a shoe width. The installed pads are marked "ASK A11GG", which aren't listed on Ask Automotive's website - they appear to be 28mm wide.

I'm guessing I need 180x28mm shoes, but I'm not finding a whole lot of options in that size. What are my options here? Would EBC 610 shoes (180x30mm) fit?

I think the rear takes EBC 606 shoes, so I should be good with those.

[bwringer]

I hate to bring this up, but, well, you could, y'know, um... measure the ones you're holding in your hand...?

Anyway, since you're local (howdy, fellow Indianapolan!) I'd just head down to the 'hood and grab a set from Cycle Recycle II.

https://newmotorcycleparts.net/brake_parts/brake_shoes.html

Looks like they have BikeMaster and Vesrah. Personally, I'd go with the Vesrah shoes.

[GolfSierraThreeHundo]

I did measure it - that's how I wound up with 180x28mm. Seemed like an odd size and I couldn't find anything to verify it (other than the 180mm drum in the service manual).

Thanks for the heads up about Cycle Recycle II. I'll check it out on Tuesday. I've been going to a vintage bike meetup out in Brownsburg and figured if all else failed, they'd be able to point me in the right direction.

[jabcb]

I have an EBC catalog from 2009. (The catalogs aren’t 100% accurate, so be warned.)
It lists the 82/83 GS300 LZ/LD front brake shoes as 608, which are 179x28mm. Vesrah cross reference comes up with VB-304.
There are some VB-304 listed on eBay for reasonable $$$.


The VB-304 are also used in some Suzuki two strokes so I might have a set — let me know if you need to see a pic.

[bwringer]

Agreed, the catalogs seem rather confused on this issue, and many seem to leave out the GS300. Whether that's an oversight or they really don't make a brake shoe for that bike, I dunno.

Your best bet would be to visit CRC2 with the old shoes in hand and see what Rob recommends. Vesrah doesn't list that bike, but he lists the VB-308 for the GS300, so maybe he's figured out something Vesrah doesn't know. Wouldn't be the first time.

[jabcb]

EBC S606 & VB-308 are for the rear brake.


My 2010 EBC catalog lists the shoes for your front brake as N/A. They also dropped the listing for a lot of the two strokes.
But if you go to the EBC US website to order front brakes for the 1972 T250, its lists the S608 but they want a lot of $$$.

https://perfectbrakes.com/motorcycle/suzuki-streetbike/t-250/11-R-J-Hustler-1969-1972/2020584

[Nessism]

If there is a local brake pad remanufacturing operation in your area chances are good they could bond on some new friction material to your old metal shoes.

[bwringer]

EBC S606 & VB-308 are for the rear brake.


My 2010 EBC catalog lists the shoes for your front brake as N/A. They also dropped the listing for a lot of the two strokes.
But if you go to the EBC US website to order front brakes for the 1972 T250, its lists the S608 but they want a lot of $$$.
https://perfectbrakes.com/motorcycle...9-1972/2020584

Ah, good to know. Hm, this is a conundrum...

[jabcb]

Seems like a no brainer. Available on eBay for $25: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=vesrah+vb-304


Turns out I had it. Here are some pics:
VB304_0879 by jabcb, on Flickr
VB304_0880 by jabcb, on Flickr