Can I grind down rear brake shoes and not die?

I ordered in some new shoes for the rear drum on my 83 kz440 ltd. At least that's what I thought that I ordered. Apparently what I really ordered were two hunks of metal with linings about 1.5mm too thick to fit into the drum housing.
Too late to send them back. Can I safely grind these things down somehow, so that they fit properly? Or is that going to just fubar them, and me? Maybe there's some really simple thing that's not in the FSM or the Clymer that everyone but me just knows to do to get these blasted things in right?

What brake shoes did you get? I think you need a machine to properly grind brake shoes. I'd be concerned about ruining the drum if it's done wrong.

Find a place that re-lines shoes. usually a HD truck shop they may be able to point you in the right direction where to get it done.

Thanks Guys.

In theory, they're supposed to be the right shoes, but they don't fit. Seems like it would be cheaper just to get a new set than to pay to have them relined, maybe not though?
After getting the wrong thing once, I'm thinking I should find a reputable source, still don't want to pay through the nose though. I seem to have "misplaced" the new pads for the front disc as well. Which is maddening for a thrifty soul, (read: cheap bastard) such as myself.
Been stupid busy with school for the last few months, feels like I'm a stranger in my own shop. :laugh:

All the KZ440's use the same rear shoe. So either you have the wrong shoe, or someone swapped out the rear wheel... what shoes do you have?

EBC 706 or Vesrah VBS-413 would be correct.

It has been reported once or twice that some aftermarket brake shoes don't fit right,
but I don't know if it was the shoes' fault or if the installer goofed. I installed Vesrah
brake shoes w no problems (1981 KZ650-CSR)

Just a note. Others had mentioned brake squeal, so I sanded the leading edges of the shoes & I also very evenly sanded the glazing off the drum using 100 grit. no noise.
Do not breathe the dust as it may contain asbestos.

The box says EBC-706, no guarantees that that's what I've got, though. Wouldn't be the first time. No part number on the actual shoes, that I can see, although there's a number 8 on one.
The wheel is a 16", I suppose someone could've swapped it out, but it's supposed to be a 16" and that's what I've got. My eyes aren't what they used to be, perhaps there's some residue from the old shoes that needs to be cleaned out somehow, that I didn't see?

Unfortunately EBC doesn't stamp the shoes with their part number. The '8' casting is consistent with the 706 shoes on our shelf.

I don't understand the question about the old shoes - you just toss those & install the new ones.

I was wondering if the old shoes had perhaps left behind some residue on the interior of the drum that needed to be removed. Maybe some sort of build-up that was making the new shoes seem too thick.

Thanks for the info Jeff, although it's frustrating news. If I do have the right shoes, barring some manufacturing error, then the problem is either with me, or the wheel. The wheel seems correct and in fine shape. The procedure isn't exactly complicated, and I referred to both manuals just to make sure I wasn't missing something.

No point ordering new shoes if I already have the right ones. I don't suppose I could ask Jeff to measure the thickness of the shoes that he has on the shelf? I have a Spec. manual for '83 Kawi's, and it indicated that the shoes I have are 1.5 mm too thick for OEM.

The drum could have glazing, but I doubt that it amounts to much in regards to the thickness.

It sounds to me like the new shoes are too thick. I guess I'd try a different brand, such as Vesrah or oem.

Killman wrote: Thanks Guys.

In theory, they're supposed to be the right shoes, but they don't fit. Seems like it would be cheaper just to get a new set than to pay to have them relined, maybe not though?
After getting the wrong thing once, I'm thinking I should find a reputable source, still don't want to pay through the nose though. I seem to have "misplaced" the new pads for the front disc as well. Which is maddening for a thrifty soul, (read: cheap bastard) such as myself.
Been stupid busy with school for the last few months, feels like I'm a stranger in my own shop. :laugh:

My point is that they may be able to resurface them to the correct thickness if that's possible.