OK, I finally got the rear brakes to work. The adjuster was all the way out, no adjustment left. Since the brake shoes I ordered was the wrong size and the shoes on the bike was in pretty good shape. I decided to reuse the existing shoes. Since the rear brake is completely mechanical, I borrowed a page from my dirt bike days of yesteryear. (Yes I used to ride bikes with drum brakes) First I dismantled the complete brake system and greased and lubed everything. I set the cable as loose as I could. I marked the position of the lever. I removed the lever, and repositioned it back farther than the stock position. I adjusted the brake cable to where the brakes were just dragging ever so slightly. I took the quad for a quick spin.... WOW step on the brakes, and you can lock the rear up.

I now feel safe to let my wife to daughter ride the quad. Since they are both novice riders, brakes make it a little easier for them to ride.

 

Bringing this thread up to date... the quad was running fine, up until this year. It was getting quite a bit of use as a yard mule and for trail maintenance. Unfortunately when its been running for a while, it dies. At 1st I thought it was not getting fuel, no that's not the issue. If I let it sit and cool off, it will refire as if nothing was wrong... I think either the coil or CDI is failing. How do I check what is wrong.

thanks