Front drum brake adjustment

[stonetree]

Installing new cables on a Honda Cb350 and have changed the bars to clip ons. I see I need to shorten the cables but it seems as though the front drum needs more "pull" that the lever allows to engage the brake. Am I doing something obviously wrong or does anyone know of a link to set up the front brake properly?
Thanks for any input

Cirvan

 

[session101]

let me know too cause im doing the same deal, where did you get your cables from? are you using stock levers?

 

[crazypj]

First, you need to make sure brake shoes are not worn out? (at least 2.5mm in the center of shoe, thicker or new is better))
Re-fit wheel, pull brake as hard as possible, 'bounce' forks a couple of times then tighten axle while still holding brake lever (tie it to the bar with a bungy cord)
Next, you need to make sure both shoes are touching drum at the same time.
Front wheel needs to be raised so you can spin it.
Adjust cable so shoes just start to drag slightly, then, try pushing the second operating lever.
If it moves, loosen locknut on link bar and adjust link..
You'll probably have to check/adjust multiple times to get things right

 

[stonetree]

Thanks PJ. The shoes are within specs and I have them both touching at the same time when I squeeze the levers by hand. My problem is in the cable adjustment. I don't have enough adjustment room to get the brakes to drag. I feel like it must be something obvious and I keep looking at it but am just not seeing it.

session101 I got the cables from siriusconinc.com and the levers came with the bike

 

[crazypj]

Either it's the wrong cable or, the arm isn't set properly on brake cam.
The 'dots' line up?

 

[session101]

i might be an idiot for asking but do they make knob adjustable levers like this?

http://www.jcwhitney.com/sportbike-levers/p2017123.jcwx?skuId=426506&TID=froogle&04SuGSVor353638

or is it just for disc brakes?

 

[stonetree]

Yes the dots line up. I'll look for another cable. Thanks

 

[crazypj]

i might be an idiot for asking but do they make knob adjustable levers like this?

http://www.jcwhitney.com/sportbike-levers/p2017123.jcwx?skuId=426506&TID=froogle&04SuGSVor353638

or is it just for disc brakes?

Just for disc.
If you want different lever position, slack the cable and fit a stop (have a lookat bicycle brakes to see how it's done)