Front brakes frozen/bad?

[coffeekittie]

Morning all!
Fixed the rear tire mounting problem - thanks for all the help!
Next problem - bought this scoot knowing something was wrong with the front brakes - the previous owner called them "tight" but as far as I can tell they are frozen (or something - they certainly don't work).
I've traced the brake line from the handle to the end nut, so I know where it is and it seems sound.
Perhaps I need to remove the front wheel? Oh no. Sigh. If so, I've turned the nuts on both sides of the wheel til I'm blue in the face and nothing is coming apart that I can see.
Btw, I have been looking at the service manual and although I can read maps, I am not man enough to read tech manuals, I guess. Jk, but I'm frustrated!
Any suggestions?
thanks!

[Kenny_McCormic]

Back out the adjustment nut that hold on the cable.

[uspmale]

If the nut is tight, you might want to hold the hex-nut on the other side of the adjusting nut with a wrench or vice grip.

[coffeekittie]

I was able to loosen and even remove the nut at the brake end of the cable, but it doesn't want to go back on very far, and the whole brake line seems really really loose - I finally got the front wheel to actually turn by loosening the nut (tried both sides), but can't actually get the wheel off to look at the brakes.

I'm starting to think there's more than one problem - the original owner said the front brakes seemed "tight", which was an understatement, but now they don't seem to do anything at all. When I flex the brake handle, there is minimal movement down by the wheel, and like I mentioned, the whole cable seems loose.

I've been looking at the service manual but it is still greek to me - I think I need a local mechanic who is willing to teach me! Anyone near the Olympia WA area who wants to make a few bucks? :p

[uspmale]

With the adjusting nut removed, the brake handle should move in and out freely.
If not, you have a seized brake cable.
Sometimes you can free them up with PB Blaster, but I recommend a replacement cable, if that's the case.

[coffeekittie]

Ok, since I am now able to get the front tire to turn (although it feels "wrong" somehow in the way it moves), I decided to attach the brake system back up see what happens. Well, it does stop the scoot. Hard stop, no easing on the brake - off or on. Is this still a seized brake issue or is it an adjustment issue?
Thanks

[uspmale]

If it were mine, I'd take the front wheel off.
Use a wrench on each side of the wheel at the same time.
It will come off then.
Lube the cam and bushing that the shoes actuate on with a brake lube.
Reassemble.

[coffeekittie]

I'll give that a try then. Sorry for all the basic questions, but I'm basically clueless still bout all this!