1979 GS850 back wheel is stuck

[capnjim]

Man..what a bummer. I sold the bike. The guys comes out to pick it up, and, the back wheel is stuck! Not frozen solid, there's maybe a 1/4" inch of play.
It was fine when I put it away in the fall.
Any ideas? The clutch seems fine and it goes to neutral no problem.
The bike has not run in many years. I sold it to a kid and he and his dad are going to restore it. How do I get it out of my shed to the car??

[tkent02]

Drag it.

[capnjim]

We tried....its not an easy thing to do!

[rustybronco]

Caliper frozen? Whack it with a rubber mallet and see if it will loosen or unbolt it.

[Guest]

Good advise there Dale, nothing a good smack can't fix So I take it you gave up on the bike, too bad.

[GSX1000E]

Open the rear brake bleeder?

[JTGS850GL]

Just want to make sure for clarification... The wheel will not turn even when the bike is in neutral? If so, do as GSX1000E said and see if that allows the wheel to turn. If it does, then the rubber flex hose has deteriorated inside and is acting like a check valve keeping pressure in the line or the master is clogged.

[tkent02]

Would there be 1/4" of play if the brake were stuck? I think it would be frozen solid.

[rustybronco]

Brake pad movement inside the caliper?

Possible brake lever pivot rusted not allowing the pedal to return?

[argonsagas]

As Dale has suggested, the most likely problem is brake seizure.

It may be that the caliper itself is stuck due corrosion, but it is almost certain that the pads will be stuck on the disk and the tiny bit of play available between pads and caliper is what allows the wheel to move, but only very little.
.

Easiest and cheapest solution: LIBERALLY spray the disk with brake cleaner. Let it sit for a few seconds, then push the bike forward or back while the pads are wet to break the contact


Use a newspaper or something similar under it, as the stuff makes a mess.

[capnjim]

Thanks guys...I'll pick up some brake cleaner on the way home.
I hope thats it. The bike was not used in years, but it was stored inside and is actually really clean. No rust anywhere.
I have not given up on my '77 750. Its not running, but I'll get it running this summer.