I decided not to use the Coupe Royale and instead bought a used Formula II last weekend. I was fortunate in that it came with a complete brake system, a $1200 option. It's currently set up with an adjustable proportioning valve and banjo nut, but also has a master cylinder and brake pedal in the boot.
My Guzzi has an integrated brake, connecting the rear brake to one of the front ones. Should I mess with trying to add the sidecar or should I just replace the proportioning valve with the master cylinder and separate pedal?
I'd like to hear from folks who use either method.
my 2 cents... would be to use a seperate pedal,..this would allow for " steer braking option" like a tractor to assist with suicidal right- handers, draging the car brake seperately does help when needed, I wouldn't mess with a completed bike brake system you already have. ..just my thoughts, crawf.
With the track width of the Formula II the sidecar wheel braking efficiency varies more than a singlewide car. I think the dual pedal is the better option here. No gain will come from breaching the Guzzi system.
A couple of weeks and you'll be "heeling and toeing" like a sporty car racer. You can add another discipline in your driving portfolio.
Lonnie
Mike,
No doubt you will hear views from all different perspectives. For what it's worth..If I were to run a sidecar brake a seperate pedal that can be linked is my preference.
I built a 3d lever brake system for our Escort using a Kaw Master Cylinder and a NOS Honda 175? brake lever. The bracket it all bolts up to is attached to the pinch bolts on the front of the sidecar frame and thus it all comes off as a unit much easier than having a so called "Quick Disconnect" in the line that requires bleading every 2d or 3d time it is used.
Plus being able to roll my foot left or right makes those easy turns much easier and doesn't screw up Honda's Linked Brakes.
Most Hackers I know aren't willing to even try the setup let alone do it on their own rigs. Go figure, it is a very old method that used to be common unlike today.
on my Warrior i'm using a proportioning valve and quick dissconnect,but there are some advantages to the sepatate brake peddle, so i feel it is a preference rather that a right or wrong.i have had customers that also wanted the sidecar brake hooked to the front brake,which definately makes for a rear brake left,front brake right effect.
[on my Warrior i'm using a proportioning valve and quick dissconnect,but there are some advantages to the sepatate brake peddle, so i feel it is a preference rather that a right or wrong.i have had customers that also wanted the sidecar brake hooked to the front brake,which definately makes for a rear brake left,front brake right effect.
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There are valid 'arguments' for all the various braking setups. Many times the views expressed are pretty strong but the question is how many who express the views have tried all the various systems. David, I am pretty sure you have probably tried sidecar brakes being intergrated front or rear, seperate and also with no sidecar brake.
Personally I am still not a huge fan of a sidecar brake on many rigs for myself but possibly my riding style on my personal rigs have a lot to do with that. We have done front hookups and rear hookups hydraulically and between the two the rear hookups is my preference. It allows one to still use the front brake in harder cornering if they are inclined to do so.
I will confess that we did do one of our own rigs (K 100/ Custom Car)with a front hookup and a proportioning valve. The idea on that one was to allow the rear wheel to spin in order to drift the rig...it worked but woudl not be for everyone.
Hi Mike:ust a reply my wing has the system with one front disc on the hand and other on the foot brake.It has a oversize cylinder on the hand brake operates the S/C brake.Like it but with the double car get a lot of action to the right when hit only front brake!Can just about steer with the 2 foot brake turns left and hand turns right if you want to stop straight better hit both equally!Good luckAny more rallies in our area/.Just got back Sunday from Sturgis!
Minn Guzzi Rally this weekend at Money Creek.
Boring Rally in Duluth Aug 22,
Sidecar Rally in Anamosa, Ia Sept 6.
I doubt I'll make any of them. I want to get back on 3 wheels so I'm dedicating my $ to putting it together.
