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2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650 rear brake problems

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Old Jan 25, 2006 | 11:05 PM
  #1  
ATVXtreme's Avatar
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Default 2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650 rear brake problems

I have a 03 Prairie with about 280 miles on it. As you can see, I haven't taken it out nearly enough. Anyway, how sensitive should the rear brakes be? I have to pull on the hand lever all the in order for it to stop me and even then, the wheels don't even come close to locking up. I have ridden a few others that when you pull on the brakes, they lock up and stop you fast. Any ideas why mine are so soft? I can't imagine them being bad with only 280 miles on them. Any ideas of how to adjust them so when I pull on the hand lever, they stop me faster? I know it is an internal braking system in the rear, is there fluid inside that I should change? What type of fluid is in there? Sorry for so many questions, Its just bothering me that Its not braking the way it should. Any help is greatly appreciated. If anyone can tell me how I adjust them, it would be appreciated!

Regards,
Bryan
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 12:18 PM
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Default 2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650 rear brake problems

You can make it tighter by tightening up the adjustment wing nut on the brake cable. The wing nut is just above the rear gear case at the end of the swing arm. Just make sure you DON'T make it too tight so it is dragging. Get the wet-brake fluid from any kawi dealer. The internal wet brake plates should last thousands of miles. Adjust the cable, replace the fluid and see if that would improve the braking.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:49 PM
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Default 2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650 rear brake problems

I agree, same thing as above.

I changed my fluid 2 times a year. Put 4000 miles without problems before selling.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:50 PM
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Default 2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650 rear brake problems

I don't think the 03 is any different from my 04 but Hayashi is right. Only on mine there are two wing nuts, one for the hand brake and one for the foot brake. You can adjust the slack out there but just like Hayashi said don't go too far with it. When mine was new and I was tinkering with everthing I just about locked it down it was just like tring to ride with the parking brake on, needless to say I felt pretty stupid[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 02:38 PM
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Default 2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650 rear brake problems

I had the same probs with my 03 p360 after long trips to parks.I just went looking for new rear brakes.Now its find a friend of mine sed that its was mostlikly of been happening because it was sitting for so long.He says to pevent this take it out every now and then and ride it.Wat i do is do burnouts and stuff.Havent had the prob since.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 05:35 PM
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Default 2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650 rear brake problems

Thanks for all the help guys! I'll give that a try. When adjusted correctly, should they lock up when pulling on the lever or foot brake?

Thanks again!
Bryan
 
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 08:14 PM
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Default 2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650 rear brake problems

Xtreme yes you can adjust the rear breaks to lockup when you use the hand or foot brake. It all depends on how you want to adjust them. I have my hand brake a little softer than my foor brake. I don't know why but I only use the foot brake as a, H@lysh1t I need to stop, brake[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
 
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