Using reverse as a parking brake

[bohomus]

The guy I bought my trike from said to use reverse as a parking brake. On one of the older threads I was reading today someone said never do this. It's too much strain on the reverse gear. Another guy said he used a strip of Velcro around his hand brake when he parked. Really? If it's not a good idea to use reverse when parking, what do you do? Is the velcro thing for real?

[MMH]

I leave it on first gear like a regular bike, works fine. Hope it helps!

[nucseal]

First Gear or Velcro- I used both depending on the incline and my nervousness on the grade. Never use the reverse gear. They are right, to much strain on such a small gear and if it breaks; BIG dollars to fix.

Ride Safe
Nuc

[2006gold]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>bohomus</strong>
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<div class="message">The guy I bought my trike from said to use reverse as a parking brake. On one of the older threads I was reading today someone said never do this. It's too much strain on the reverse gear. Another guy said he used a strip of Velcro around his hand brake when he parked. Really? If it's not a good idea to use reverse when parking, what do you do? Is the velcro thing for real?</div>

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</div>That was probably me, and yes it works. BUT, I only use it when I'm making a very short stop and don't want to kill the engine and sometimes as a bit of insurance on steep grades. Most times it's used when I'm letting my wife get off before pulling into the garage. Like others have suggested, first gear.

[SEABILL]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>nucseal</strong>
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<div class="message">First Gear or Velcro- I used both depending on the incline and my nervousness on the grade. Never use the reverse gear. They are right, to much strain on such a small gear and if it breaks; BIG dollars to fix.<br />
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Ride Safe <br />
Nuc</div>

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</div>I also use first gear and the Velcro. Has worked well so far.

[tlc4860]

I made a small aluminum wedge that I hang from the front brake perch. I just pull back on the brake lever and slip the wedge into the opening of the lever. Works great....<br />
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Terry

[Calgary]

While there undoubtedly are good ways to immobilize the trike, the best reason I was given for parking it in reverse is that the key is needed to alter that, and only you have the key. <br />
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In one's absence, Velcro can be unwound, wedges removed etc.

[Pegasus1300]

Although I do fall to the temptation to use reverse as a parking brake I only do so on a level surface. If you put very much pressure on the Honda reverse it will break and the repair to the starter is quite expensive. I use 1st gear and/or the curb otherwise.

[msocko3]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Calgary</strong>
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<div class="message">While there undoubtedly are good ways to immobilize the trike, the best reason I was given for parking it in reverse is that the key is needed to alter that, and only you have the key. <br />
<br />
In one's absence, Velcro can be unwound, wedges removed etc.</div>

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</div>Besides the possible damage folks have talked about there is the chance you could have the reverse become stuck requiring you to push back on the trike with hopes it will disengage. IMO the reverse is nice when the Goldwing is 2 wheels but not of much use on 3, I've taken to selective parking and I use a velcro strap if I think I need a parking brake. If I'm concerned about theft protection I add a disk lock to the front rotor.

[rmrc51]

I try not to use my reverse as much as possible, but there are times that it comes in very handy. With Wing Boards installed, you can't put your feet down and duck-walk the trike backwards. Either you get off and push her back or use reverse. So far, my reverse has worked perfectly.

I use my rear parking brake, 1st gear and lock my forks for security.

[John Luciano]

A friend of mine broke the small gear in tran used for rev. cost was $1,000 to fix. The entire motor is removed. The case is split the tranny pulled apart. The gear brakes and falls into the oil pan. Not sure how the. 1800 does Rev but the 1500 is best not used at all. I used mine 12 times in 14 years 67,000 miles . Selective parking and 1 st gear.

[bohomus]

Thanks all. Looks like 1st gear and velcro hand brake it is. On the hand brake, am I understanding that it's for a short time only. Does it hurt to leave to on like over night or for several hours?

[Blueribbon]

I only use reverse as a security measure. At home, my parking space is slightly sloped, so I back in, over a 2” X 4”, let the trike roll against the 2” X 4”, then put it in reverse before shutting down. Nobody is going to move the trike, unless they pick up the back tires. If they want it that bad, they will get it, in reverse or not. When I"m ready for the next drive, I can start up my ride, and let it idle for a few minutes. I never leave the trike in reverse, when under pressure.

Out & about, I use first gear. If quite steep, then the Velcro strap comes out to go around the front brake lever. The strap is permanently on my right handlebar – slides down in the handlebar tunnel and is not even noticeable. On a group ride last year, had to stop on quite a steep section of road (because of an accident) and put it in first to try to hold it stopped, and it turned the engine over, and would not hold. I ended up putting the front tire against the embankment on the shoulder. (This is before I got the Velcro strap.)

Rich, you’re lucky on your parking brake. Even when adjusted properly and pulled on hard, I can push the trike by hand. As far as I’m concerned, it is a worthless accessory.

[Bill Reber]

My dealer said use reverse and I do with the exception of on a hill .

[The Captain]

DO NOT use reverse on an 1800 as a parking brake. The reverse button is known to get stuck in the "on" position. It happens more in cold temps than hot temps. Rocking the trike back and forth will do nothing. The switch will need to be taken apart for cleaning or replacement. If the switch does get stuck, you can play with it and sometimes it will un-stick.

On another note, there is no "reverse gear" in the transmission to break. The transmission is in N and the starter motor is actually pushing the bike/trike in reverse.

[John Luciano]

I said not sure of the setup in an 1800. I know as a fact the 1500 has a gear and it can break. I believe the 1800 reverses the rotation of the starter and it hits a gear to back up. The starter by itself is not connected to the rear wheels. Stronger set up than 1500 but still not unbreakable or abusive to the battery or starter motor.. The starter on a wing should not be operated for more than 10 or 15 sec at a time.

[Shimpy]

I don't use reverse for a parking brake because I've heard that if your battery goes dead, then you're stuck in reverse and can't move the bike until you get a new battery or jump start. It can't even be towed.
I wonder about using velcros on the front brake lever. Would it bleed down eventually allowing the trike to roll? I've always been courious about this.

[The Captain]

My dealer said use reverse and I do with the exception of on a hill .

Your dealer is a moron. Time to find another dealer.

[FRR]

My dealer said use reverse and I do with the exception of on a hill .

I use my reverse all the time, but not as a brake. I've never even HEARD of anyone that had their reverse fail if they used it properly, and I've owned 8 Wings and 5 of them have had reverse.

[msocko3]

DO NOT use reverse on an 1800 as a parking brake. The reverse button is known to get stuck in the "on" position. It happens more in cold temps than hot temps. Rocking the trike back and forth will do nothing. The switch will need to be taken apart for cleaning or replacement. If the switch does get stuck, you can play with it and sometimes it will un-stick.

On another note, there is no "reverse gear" in the transmission to break. The transmission is in N and the starter motor is actually pushing the bike/trike in reverse.

Item number 5 PN 28162-MN5-000 in the picture is the revers gear, the diagram is the reverse gear parts for a GL1800.