Help to Remove Rear Brake Shoes & Springs

I would appreciate any help or tips for removing rear brake shoes and springs. I am rebuilding 1980 KZ550A and I want to replace the brake shoes but I can't find any directions or suggestions on how to get them off the pins and the springs won't stretch enough to be pulled off.


Thanks Tomas

The easiest way to remove them is to "fold" the shoes, like if you would close a book - it might help to insert the axle in the drum and stick the axle in a vice to fixate the drum.

Installation is the same procedure reversed. Install the springs in both shoes, set the shoes next to the pins and fold them out/down - obviously in both instances make sure you don't damage the spacer on the brake shoe actuator, easy does it.

Just fold them... should be easy. I didn't use the axle or anything.

Thanks to both martin_csr and OnkelB for the help. The fold it worked great and slick I don't think I would ever have thought to do that. Took the old shoes off cleaned up the housing installed new shoes and springs, even though there was still lots of wear but bike has been sitting 12 years so I opted to be safe. Reinstalled rear wheel now to rebuild electrical components and some wiring.





Thanks Tomas