I cannot believe how often this question comes up in the FB groups and Chonda forums(Need TBR7 help?), and how scary this can be.
A motorcycle rear brake locked up while riding can be a very dangerous and best step in preventing these locked brake conditions.
If your motorcycle’s rear wheel is locking up or your rear brake is not releasing, this FAQ is not a substitute for taking your bike to a professional shop. A locking rear wheel can be the cause of serious injury to you and others.
What Can Cause Your Motorcycle Rear Brakes Not To Release?
I want to address observations and not accuse anyone of mistakes. Still, faulty assembly and maintenance seem to contribute to the single most expected event of the rear brake locking up. Please follow along.
Everyone focuses on the rear caliper locking up and heads down that problem-solving path.
- Is it old motorcycle brake fluid?
- Is the rear brake caliper of your dirt bike jammed up with mud?
- Is there a hole in the bike’s master cylinder?
The most common cause I’ve read and experimented with on my TBR7 motorcycle is not the bike’s rear brake caliper’s fault.
Hawk 250, TaoTao TBR7, and many other Chonda motorcycles have a similar design around their rear brake foot pedal. The foot pedal is clunky, and often, you either aren’t braking or are braking, with no in-between. TBR7 Rear Brake Assembly.
TBR7 Motorcycle Rear Brake Locked Up Cause?
After some research and experience tinkering around with my TBR7 motorcycle’s rear brake, I believe I found the root cause of the locking-up condition.
The Motorcycle’s Rear Brake Adjusting Bolt?
There is an adjusting bolt that is angled down and foot pedal and prevents the rise of the foot pedal. If this adjustment bolt isn’t locked in place(by the lock nut), the bolt can vibrate free, and each time you apply the brake, the adjustment bolt can vibrate downward, preventing the foot pedal from fully returning to release position.
As time goes on, the foot brake pedal will not return after applying the rear brakes, and the brakes will not release. Causing the back brakes to drag and eventually lock up.
There should be an early warning, like over-heated rear brakes, or the motorcycle’s performance is severely affected, but it might suddenly happen.
So, please check your rear brake pedal is appropriately assembled; even so, I’ve felt the brake’s foot pedal is ‘clunky,’ and when you adjust your pedal’s return bolt, ensure the lock nut is tight and might want to consider even thread locker.
I find myself using thread locker a lot on my TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle.
Be safe. A locked-up rear wheel on a motorcycle going fast can result in serious injuries. Check your bike!
Note: This causes the rear brake not to release. This problem solving is purely my opinion based on my observations and experiments on my own TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle.
If you have concerns about your rear brake locking up your rear wheel while riding, take your motorcycle to a professional mechanic. They might have a better solution or identify mechanical flaws in the brakes before an accident.
Ride Safe, Ride Fun!
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TBR7 Upgrades
Hi I’m Tom, A New Motorcycle Rider and Blog Author.
I am a new rider(Pa Learners Permit at the end of 2020, and I received a Pa Motorcycle License in 2021 after passing a Motorcycle Safety Course).
I bought my first motorcycle, a TaoTao TBR7, at the beginning of 2021 and have been doing upgrades on that motorcycle since.
I added to my motorcycle collection by buying a Boom Vader Gen 2 in 2022, and that Grom-Clone motorcycle has been upgraded by me as well.
I continue to ride my Boom Vader Gen 2 motorcycle as well as my TaoTao TBR7 dual-sport bike.
Read more on my About Me page.
Fun Fact: I’ve only been on one group ride.
