While searching for an alternative to the $600 Harley parking brake kit, I saw the posts on Velcro around the front brake lever and a valve inserted in the hydraulic brake line.
I'm very curious as to what's wrong with just leaving the bike in gear?
In some places a parking brake is required as safety equipment for licensing purposes. OZ for instance.
Lonnie
I've had a motorcycle and an automobile for that matter, pop out of gear in the past.
I wouldn't trust only putting it in gear on an incline. With two wheels, if you park facing up the hill, the kickstand helps. With three wheels you don't have that support.
There's nothing wrong with leaving your HD in gear when parked. I've yet to see one pop out of gear if parked in low gear. The way the dogs are cut on the gears, the tendency is to stay in gear when there is pressure on the gears.
The HD parking brake is a big waste of dough as far as I can see.
I had a similar problem here in Australia when I purchased a K100 with a DJP chair from out of State (Western Australia, no parking brake requirement). New South Wales requires one so to change registration etc I priced a number of methods, some legal, others not. Settled for a Mini Minor brake drum etc fitted to the sidecar axle etc. (all up $300) Have since found a method, apparently legal, where a door stop is bracketed above the brake pedal and can be locked down on parking. (all up cost $45). Incidently have had the brake fitted for a year or so, and cannot remember ever using it.......I recall asking in this forum why and what for? The response that brought the biggest smile was the rider who carries a 'house-brick' in the chair.
Regards Carey Johnson
I remember a few Honda's in the early 70's i believe having a small flip leaver on the brake lever to hold the break on, although i can;t remember on witch one(s). I guess if you'r worried about parking on a hill or ect... I would think a velcro strap or a big rubber band would do in a pinch along with leaving it in gear. As our safty man at work would say (safe is good, safer is gooder)Hes a little dumb....but we get the point.
A lot of the quads(ATV) use a latch on the front brake lever. It should be easy enough to adapt so long as your front brake is hydaulic.
As Hank might be able to confirm:
In North Yorkshire coming down from the Moores to Reeth there are quite a few cattle gates to open where my Honda CB650 was turning over the first gear. So it became quite a hassle (once upon the time...).
Here in Costa Rica I recall more then one track where my wife had to walk and open the gates and me running beside the Enduro bike getting downhill. No way to stop at all.
With the rig I had to tell my companion to sit on top of the boat and advice him to jump in deed in case I'd tell him so...
Luckily until now it didn't become necessary yet.
But not everywhere in the world you have steep hills like that.
Sven
The method or system of parking brake you adopt here in Australia is currently regulated by the regulations gazetted for the locality you live whereas it 'should' be related to your riding requirements or the terrain in which you ride. The simple (and generally effective)methods that are dependant on the existing systems (front and rear brakes) i.e. velcro strap have been ruled out here by the requirement the sidecar parking brake system 'be independant' of the existing 'tug' braking systems. The fitter of the 'door stop' is authorised to 'certify' the fitting as legal and thus thumbs his nose at the authorities. Given I have not used my parking brake since being compelled to fit it, the chances of any legal or civil ramifications appear remote. Anyway who gives a stuff, its not going to be all that long before we require permission to crap. New Year regards to all interested in sidecar parking brakes from Newcastle Australia.
I had posted my irreverent outlook on 'parking brakes' when the thought occurred to me I still face the dreaded 'parking brake' issue. I have imported an EZS sidecar from Holland for my R3T and recall there being no parking brake lever. There is a disc arrangement on the chair wheel but should I be compelled or even inclined to adopt the local requirements that a parking brake should be 'independant' of the existing braking systems then the 'door stop' arrangement is looking good at this time. Anyway back to demolishing left over Christmas cheer. Regards Carey
Sorry, I meant to attach a photograph of the braking arrangements on the EZS chair.
They got those nice orange wedge shaped plastic wheel chocks at the discount stores. They work and cost about $5.00. The double sided velcro straps also sounds like an easy fix. Neat.
Go to the hardware store and get one of those 4 packs of Velcro 2 sided strips they sell for holding extension cords, rope what ever and just wrap it around the front break lever, there only a 1/2" wide and don't hardly take up any room and there handy for other things also.
up ear in da cold, we juz jam da ockey stick in da front spokes , da scoot go no where,..LOL! crawf.
A piece of inner tube over front brake lever and handgrip works...if this was already mentioned i apologise.
I just park the thing in gear and that's it.....Hopwever two years ago at Hack'd It was not in gear and I chased it down a hill ...pretty funny looking back. It did run into harry tarzian's tent but didn't run over it or hit the little guy.Glad Chris didn't have a camera on that blooper but everyoen was watching from a distance....doink.
