New Guy, 77 GS6 175

[joe novak]

GREAT RESTORATION!   The reason the brake shoes are grooved directionally is to allow water, dirt, or mud to be dissipated off the brake shoes and drum surface.   Think of it as a small trough to direct the crap off the shoe and surface.   For those who have ever ridden their motorcycles through deep water or mud, we all know the drums fill with the water and mud.  Brakes do not work well, or sometimes not at all when wet.  I used to add a bead of silicone seal around the opening between the brake hub and backplate, then rotate the parts before the silicone hardens so it makes a seal but is not locked tightly.   Joe.

[tofriedel]

Penton use to sell seal kits for both the front and rear hubs.  They seemed to work for me.  I still have a set in my spares locker.

Tony