Emergency Brake

[FuzzyWuzHe]

My 2008 GW with a 6/08 Champion Conversion doesn't have an emergency brake. Not really big deal because I just park it in gear and I made two velcro thingies to put on the from brake if I feel I need them.

Question is, how hard and expensive would it be to add one? Gonna be winter here soon and when it's cooler, I like to start the trike and then put the gloves on. Like I said not a biggie, just that I'm an old dog and don't want to learn new tricks.

[CrystalPistol]

Gonna be winter here soon and when it's cooler, I like to start the trike and then put the gloves on.

Mine is pretty simple, just a wedge, and automatic in release when brake is squeezed. I use it only when needed. Just hangs on a ball chain like lamp pull.

A tight squeeze is not needed, wedge can be aluminum (mine), wood, or rubber, ... or ??????????????

[56Elwood]

Put it in reverse but don't hit the starter button. Just don't shut it off in reverse.

[subar]

Put it in reverse but don't hit the starter button. Just don't shut it off in reverse.

Myself, I use a car wheel chock with a string attached. Chock under back wheel (front or back as needed) with string over the left hand handle bar, so that I will not drive off without it. I am not comfortable with keeping continued brake pressure on the brake system. I have used this system before I triked the bike by using a flat plat for the kick stand.

[DWATC]

I cut a 4 X 4 into a triangle ran a rope thru it and tossed it in the trunk. Actually put 2 on the rope that way I can put one in front and one in back can't take off without them that way.

[CrystalPistol]

[QUOTE ] ... etc ... string attached. ... etc ... not comfortable with keeping continued brake pressure on the brake system. ... etc ... flat plat for the kick stand.[/QUOTE]

OK I hear that ... not that it will harm anything but I don't do it for long either. Just long enough for one to put gloves / helmet on, check brake lights, , etc .... less time than what is often spent sitting at a traffic light?

I do that with 1200 bike and side stand foot plate.

[knob]

I have a parking brake but to be honest, I never use it. I just cut a couple of 2x4's and slip them under the back tires. I sometimes drive off without remembering to pick them but that's no big deal. Seems like most of the time that I did use the parking brake I would forget to release it.

[paws]

Put it in reverse but don't hit the starter button. Just don't shut it off in reverse.

Several times I have seen folks post that they put the trike in reverse. But this is the first time I've seen the reference about the starter button and not to shut it off in reverse. Please help me to avoid a likely costly mistake by explaining what would happen during these scenarios. I haven't had to worry yet about not having an emergency brake as my area is mostly flatland but occasionally do make it to a hilly area.

Thanks, Carla

[M2102]

Several times I have seen folks post that they put the trike in reverse. But this is the first time I've seen the reference about the starter button and not to shut it off in reverse. Please help me to avoid a likely costly mistake by explaining what would happen during these scenarios. I haven't had to worry yet about not having an emergency brake as my area is mostly flatland but occasionally do make it to a hilly area.

Thanks, Carla

Some riders have know problem shutting off in reverese. As long as it works for them no problem, unless. If turning off bike in reverse, if your battery goes bad, and it has happened, you can't get it out of reverse until you either try and recharge battery or replace. It happened to me when out of town. Two friends were with me and after about an hour got it out of reverse and had to push start it. Once home I tried reverese. Went in reverse like it should but as soon as I hit the button it died and was in backyard for two days before I got it going again. It took a new battery and a jumper ground wire to get it going.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Personally, I would not order a trike with a e-brake. There are plenty of ways to park and not need one.

As M2102 stated, reverse should not be used as a park brake. Be sides the reason he listed, I repaired one that needed an engine pull to fix it. The only explanation I could ever come up with for the internal reverse damage was it possibly being parked in reverse and a car backed into it.

As a minimum, to add one after a build requires cutting into the fiberglass for the brake lever. Also, the only ones that are more likely to work well, year after year, are the ones that use a rotor with a built in drum hub for e-brake shoes. In the car industry, that is known as a Corvette e-brake design. RoadSmith and I think one other kit comes with that type.