Question about rear brakes on Maxim-X

Question about the rear brakes on my bike. I pulled the wheel and replaced the tire this weekend. I noticed that when I took everything apart, the brake wear indicator, without the brake lever being pressed, was a little more than 1/3 (assuming left is full, middle is half, and right is done for). The brake felt pretty tight when I used it before pulling the wheel.

After pulling the wheel, and cleaning everything up, and putting it back, the indicator is now reading a good 1/4" outside the mark, on the right. Way past done for. When I press the lever, it goes all the way down before I feel it actually engage.

Now, I don't know a lot about brakes yet. The shoes had about 1/8" left. Is that practically nothing? Seemed ok to me. I know I need to replace them before long, but I was hoping to ride for a couple of weeks, first.

So, my question is, are they too worn? Or did I do something when putting it all back together. Can the brake travel be adjusted more than just by the nut on the threaded rod?

Thanks in advance.

 

Have someone apply the Brake.
"Center" the indicator in its slot.
Read it.
If it's beyond "11 O'Clock" approaching the "Limit Line" ...
Replace them.
NEVER skimp on doing the Brakes.
It's like Life Insurance.
You keep the Premiums Paid-Up FULL, ... hoping you don't NEED the Insurance. Having Brakes that will STOP you a few hundredths of a second faster than warn Brakes can mean the difference of being just scared shitless and nothing happening; and it being a real bad day!
Do some Brake pads, ... you'll feel better.
Close or beyond 11. Do them real soon.

(The actual Book on Min. Brake Material Thickness is 2mm >.08in.< thick)

 

Did you take the brake arm off the splined shaft or un-screw the adjustement rod?

I believe that arm can be rotated to a different tooth on the sline giving you a completely different feel. BUT, I can't remember how the idicator sits over the spline.

I second Rick's warning though. It's usually more important to be able to stop quickly than go faster!

 

The Indicator Arrow Strip is "Tongued" and fits a Groove on the Cam Activating Shave where its grooved to let the Pointer Strip slip-on.

The "Other" indicator is >> How far ... the Adjustment Nut is screw up the length of that Brake Rod.

If you see a couple inches of threads and the Spring is all bunched-up tight ... Brake Shoes time.

 

The one time I had the rear wheel off the 750 Max, my pads were a LOT thicker than 1/8", so IMNSHO, that's a bit thin in the skin.

I'd replace them.

 

OK. Got that. I'll order the brakes this week. Thanks for the wise advice! I appreciate it.