Hey all,

Was out riding a lot this past weekend, and noticed how weak my back brake is

I can put all my weight on the pedal and the wheel won't lock. If i'm standing at a traffic light i can put a fair bit of force on it and still roll the bike backwards or forwards

The rear disc is badly worn and was an advisory on the last MOT, besides that, could there be another problem and in general how sharp are NC30 rear brakes?

Cheers all!

self answered your own question there.
my UK bike has an awsome rear brake (being 40 odd i use the rear brake alot) however i have owned many a NC30 which had crap rear brakes.
new disk will help, however fresh pads, and rebuild the caliper and fresh fluid will ensure it works correctly.

Do all what Paul says and then add an RC30 torque arm and it will be a very good back brake, especially in the wet.

RC30 tourqe arm, tell me more my NC's have always had non existant rear brales no matter what i do to em.

just fit a james bond style anchor!

CRM wrote:self answered your own question there.
my UK bike has an awsome rear brake (being 40 odd i use the rear brake alot) however i have owned many a NC30 which had crap rear brakes.
new disk will help, however fresh pads, and rebuild the caliper and fresh fluid will ensure it works correctly.

Just curious what has being 40 odd to do with using the back brake?

I'm guessing he means he's either

a. more conservative rider now and doesn't use the front as hard.

b. growing up with shoddier bikes using the rear brake was often the only way to stop one

As for the op.

1. New disc
2. New caliper seals / check piston condition.
3. clean / grease wherever appropritate (with correct grease! if it cant slide it wont work very good)
4. bleed for air (optional braided hose)

Wow, thanks so much everyone for your helpful and speedy responses!

I will try and do everything on the list after i've moved house - hopefully will move somewhere with a garage so i don't have to park in the lounge anymore

But that all sounds helpful! Been reading the Haynes manual and it's all in there. Do you guys think i'll be able to do it fairly easily - i'd say i have just above average mechanical skills.

How long do you reckon it would take to carry out the full overhaul? Coz i don't really want to ride all summer with a dodgy rear brake
I also want to measure the thinkness of the rear disc, but need to buy a micrometer first :)

Also, please do tell more about the RC30 torque arm?! :D
Was thinking about braided hoses... but heard they weren't really worth it, besides asthetically?

Cheers again all!

davedrave wrote:

CRM wrote:self answered your own question there.
my UK bike has an awsome rear brake (being 40 odd i use the rear brake alot) however i have owned many a NC30 which had crap rear brakes.
new disk will help, however fresh pads, and rebuild the caliper and fresh fluid will ensure it works correctly.

Just curious what has being 40 odd to do with using the back brake?

Yep, pretty well, when i grew up i was always taught to use 75/25 on the brakes. bear in mind 350lc's had shit front brakes, and the rears were hardly much better. you did longer skids in your undies back then.
moving on 20 years brakes are superb, ok the NC30 and RC30 were same era, but i couldnt afford one then like most. however i think it's an age thing, i use the rear alot in town and at slower speeds, makes the bike a bit more controllable. besides 15 stone doesnt help and i am too fat and lazy to be giving it a handful of front brake and getting all uncomfortable.

Yep I'm a bit of a bugger for using the rear brake too. Like Paul says comes from riding a Rd250 and shitty motocrossers old Bultacos and montessas across Treen Cliffs! :)