Hi, I have just picked up a 1986 VT700C.  It has rear drum brakes and I need to change them, but I can't seem to break the nut loose on the left side of the spindle.  Am I going about this correctly, or is there a keeper or locking pin that I can't see.  I am afraid of breaking it by using force.  I appreciate any help as I don't have the manual.

Thanks, Russ  

Here is one pit stop you will need that covers your Honda.
http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/honda-motorcycle-vt700c-shadow-1986/o/m2875

You could also adjust them to get the braking to function better. With it up off the ground and brake lever free to move at the hub, test how far it needs to move to stop the wheel. Granted you may still have to replace the shoes, but this gives you an option.

Typically, the rear axle nut always has a cotter key to keep the axle nut in place.
But looking at the view of the rear end and axle nut, I don't see a cotter pin. So the following may not apply.

If someone tried to move the nut without removing the key, it may have sheared a portion of the ends of it off, and now the nut has rotated over the remainder of the key, semi-locking the nut and damaging the threads.

You should try to rotate the nut after soaked good in both directions a small amount to expose the key in the slot of the castle nut. Then a pin punch to drive key out of the way.

This step should shed some light as to what the problem is. Good Luck,
Philscbx, Mpls.