'Stuck' rear brakes

You will probably have to replace the pads....(if the problem occurred for over 2-3 miles)

On disc brakes that pads are always slightly in contact with the rotors.  That helps keep water and other things off of the rotors so braking isn't impeded.  There should be no pressure on the pads, though.

Where did you set your calipers?  On the Speedster you need to set them at the back of the axle and not at the top.  If you set them at the top, the ebrake spring can contact the frame and engage the parking brake.  

Sounds like you checked your cables, but that is one to double check.  Slacked in the air may not be slacked on the ground and if the axle spring plate can "pull" them it may also engage parking brakes while driving.

An old collapsed brake hose can cause this.

Over adjusted pedal rod can cause this.  You should have about 1/8" to 1/4" free play before you feel the rod touch the inside of the master cylinder.  If it is just slightly over adjusted, then the pads will drag and heat up and as they heat up it expands the fluid and effectively applies more brake pressure without using the pedal, so you'll get more drag the more you drive.

chines1 posted:

If it is just slightly over adjusted, then the pads will drag and heat up and as they heat up it expands the fluid and effectively applies more brake pressure without using the pedal, so you'll get more drag the more you drive.

This happened to me on the rear brake of my Harley going up the 5 in the car pool lane. Bike started slowing down dramatically so I gave it more throttle, shifted down then started my way to the side (6 lanes of traffic). By the time I stopped the rear caliper had locked my rear wheel and was on fire. I got my shirt off and was able to get the fire out then backed the bleeder off to relieve the pressure. I had just put a new rear brake pedal assembly on and didn't have enough play - it did exactly what Carey described.

I put the brakes at the rear, Carey, and I haven't checked the pads themselves yet.  I'm getting ready to go out and play with them now.

thanks everyone!

I have the same EMPI rear brake kit on my buggy and the routing the emergency brake cable around the shock absorber is a real pain. 

One more thing to check is where the e-cable goes into the center frame tube.  On mine it didn't fit very well and I ended up using electrical tape to make sure it stayed in place.

If that end piece popped out of the frame tube it could cause problems.

My discs are a pretty shade of 'bronze', so I may just go ahead and have them turned.