I’m stuck in the loop of “I’m a fucking genius!” followed by “This God damned thing!”. I guess using the Scrambler as a year-round daily commuter and camping mule is taking its toll.

I got the rear brakes back together (I’m a fucking genius!), but they are dragging badly (This God damned thing!). I thought it was a clearance issue with the aftermarket pads I installed (I’m a fucking genius!), so  I put the old pads on but they still were dragging (This God damned thing!).

I took them apart again, and noticed the anti-squeak spring wasn’t seated properly, so I fixed that (I’m a fucking genius!) and put the new pads back on. Still dragging (This God damned thing!). Then I realized the pucks were goobered, but looked like they could be cleaned.

I took the pads off and pumped the brakes. The pucks came out a little. I figured I could move them one at a time, if I held one in place with a C clamp and pumped a little more. (I’m a fucking genius!). That sort of worked- one of the pucks shot across the driveway, trailing brake fluid (This God damned thing!). I retrieved it and cleaned it up- it polished nicely and should do, but the other puck is stuck fully recessed, and without adequate brake fluid in the caliper, it isn’t going anywhere. And the bleed valve seems to be stuck. This God damned thing!

I am going camping this weekend, apparently without the bike. When I get back, I will try to get the other puck out to clean it and have a look at the seals.

I may replace the rear brake line while I am at it, as I have been wanting to reroute it. I installed a brake relocation bracket a few years ago to move the brake on top of the swingarm. The kit didn’t come with replacement brake line and the OEM line is a little short with the brake in the new position. I wonder if any of the other models in the Bonneville line use a longer rear brake line than the Scrambler?