Modern Vespa

Hi!

When I bought the scooter a few months ago, I noticed the handlebar lever for the rear could be pulled all the way to the handle. The brake seemed to work okay, so 🤷‍♂️.

Now, I've just finished re-installing my 2002 ET4 rear wheel/brake arm/cable attachment — for another reason! — and carefully adjusted the arm position and cable nuts. I think they're correctly adjusted:as soon as I pull the handlebar lever, wheel friction begins. Yet I can still pull it all the way to the handlebar. And I can't make the rear wheel skid in a brake check.

Is this okay? Can a cable become 'stretchy' or some other age thing?

Is the brake lever bent, and not giving full travel?

If friction begins when the lever starts to move but the brakes aren't fully grabbing at the end of the (intact) lever's travel, I suppose brake cable "stretch" is a possibility but more likely would be an issue with the brake shoes inside the drum.

If the cable is stretching, it's probably because some of the strands are broken. It doesn't otherwise turn into elastic over time.