Drum Brake Shoe Replacement Harley Sportster
Article by Mark Trotta
When in good working condition, motorcycle drum brakes work fine for average street riding. On classic Harleys, they look correct and help keep collector value at a premium.
Sportster Drum Brakes Through The Years
The very first Sportster brakes were a carryover from the short-lived Harley K-Model. All 1957 through 1963 models left the factory with a front "half" drum on the right side. The front shoes were the same as in the back.
The fronts operated through a cable in a steel tube, and rear was activated by a metal rod via crossover tube on the bottom of the frame.
Full-Size Front Drum
A full front brake drum was a welcome upgrade for 1964, and fitted to all XL models up until and including 1972. Rear drum brakes remained the same 1957 through 1978.
The 1964-1972 drum is often referred to as the 'hamburger' drum brake.
Back in the day, swapping wheels to get the larger drum was not uncommon.
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Sportster Replacement Shoes 1964-1972
Buying the correct shoes online can be a little tricky. I typed in '1970 Sportster front brake shoes' on the internet search bar, and the rear shoes (44401-49B) came up first.
Then I typed in 'Harley 41849-64 front shoes' and found the correct shoes. Trouble was, they were priced around $200.
Scrolling down a little further I saw them advertised for $85. I emailed the company and asked if they were in stock and ready to ship.
The response was, "Sorry, it is on backorder. No stock date".
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As an alternative, you can buy a set of brake shoe linings with rivets and install them yourself.
To do this, you'll need a brake line rivet tool.
The tool is fairly easy to use. You'll use one punch to remove the old rivets, and another punch to install the new ones.
NOTE: Rivets should be set from one side to another to ensure a smooth, tight fit. And if they aren't already, bevel the ends of each lining.
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Rear Brake Shoes
Sportster Rear Brake Shoes are much more common and less expensive.
Harley 44401-49B Drum Brake Shoes have many applications, including:
1957-63 Sportsters (front and rear)
1964-1978 Sportsters (rear only)
1954-56 K-Models (front and rear)
1949-1965 Panheads (front only)
They also fit the front of my 1961 Servi-Car.
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Inspection and Replacement
Once you have the wheel off the bike, the brakes come out of the drum as one unit; brake plate, shoes, springs, operating shaft, washer and pivot stud.
NOTE: Front drum plate 44148-64 fits 1964-1972 Sportster models.
Check linings for excessive wear, glazing, and embedded particles. If they're oil soaked, hard, or cracked or glazed, linings need to be replaced.
Slightly worn linings can often be cleaned (brake parts cleaner) and dressed (medium grade Emory cloth). If you do this, wear a mask, because there might be asbestos in there.
The shoe linings pictured have 3/16" of material. They'll be cleaned and will be Ok for continued use.
Installation Tips
Check the fit of the shoes in the drum. If the edges are too high, or the center of the shoe isn't contacting the drum, you can file the lining until the center is making solid contact. Or let them wear in by themselves, but this may take some time.
TIP: When reinstalling, lightly lubricate pivot stud with a dot of chassis grease.
Sportster Drum Brake Parts and Hardware
Sportster drum brake return springs are the same front and rear for 1957 through 1972.
TIP: When removing/installing springs, a pair of Vice-grips work well.
If your front brake cable adjuster is missing or damaged, you can buy one here.
Front brake cable clevis fits 1952-1956 K Models and 1957-1972 Sportster models.
Front brake cable steel tube is OE 45203-56.
Drum brake cables are usually sold in rolls and are cut-to-fit.
TIP: When installing the cable at the lever, try to avoid sharp bends and odd angles. And lube the cable (WD-40 is Ok).
Replacement rear brake backing plates are available in chrome or polished finish.
Pictured: Polished rear backing plate for 1975-1978 XL models.
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Upgrade To Disc Brakes?
The only downside to drum brakes is brake fade after repeated aggressive use. So, if you're road racing your vintage Sportster, you may consider a front disc conversion. Keep in mind that due to the caliper mounting, swapping from drum to disc requires using later-model front forks.
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Related Articles:
Hydra Glide Brake Drum and Shoes Installation
Front Caliper Rebuild 1973 through 1977
Harley Dual Disc Caliper Rebuild
Rebuild Harley Master Cylinder
Harley-Davidson XR750
Harley-Davidson Cafe Racer
Sportster History
