Brake Caliper Releases Asymmetrically
 

Trying to tune up an 86/87 Schwinn Prelude. The bike has Dia-Compe Calipers. I think they are N500 based on a comparison with Velobase.

I can center the caliper on the wheel, but when i squeeze and release the caliper the lever arms don't move symmetrically. Basically the arm that doesn't have the cable attachment doesn't release. It just stays rubbing on the wheel. The other arm releases.

What causes this? Is something binding? Or is the caliper not properly centered. I guess I need to admit that I really don't know what is involved in properly centering a brake caliper.

Could be the brake cable is binding, the caliper pivot is binding, or the caliper needs disassembly and overhaul. The way I check to see if single pivot calipers have the correct movement is , remove the wheel and operate the brake. Both arms should move in and retract equally.

In addition to the above suggestions, it could be too short a cable.