| Author | Message | ||
     J_s_machine |
I have an issue that results in me not being able to use my back brakes very well if at all. My right ankle is fused solid (it doesn't move) from a previous motorcycle accident. I was wondering if there is anybody who has ever seen or done a system on there bike or someone elses that enables the bike to actuate both brake systems at once. I need to do this before I ride again because more than once I have been cauaght in the situation of applying my front brakes hard and catching the brake dive. I am a machinist, and If I can't get anything aftermarket or anywhere else, I know I may need to build a system. What are my options? I have an 07 XB12S | ||
| Tiller269 |
Why not go for a thumb operated rear brake. There are plenty about and it can be linked in with the original rear brake lever, meaning no mods to the bike when you want to move it on. Much better than a linked system as there are lots of situations where I would not want to use the front brake. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
You might look at a brake set up from a Gold Wing or a Blackbird. Both have linked brakes, I believe. I also did a search for Amputee riders. Several use the thumb brake system. Here is a possible solution if you decide to go that route: http://www.apracing.com/motorcycle/cylinder/data.a sp?code=CP4225 I think a linked system would over complicate the installation particularly with the limited space available. Good luck! | ||
| Slaughter |
Thumb brake - no doubt. Stew Goddard raced EXPERT in the Aprilia Cup - usually could podium the bike - and he's paralyzed from the waist down. | ||
| Buellshyter |
Stew Goddard raced EXPERT in the Aprilia Cup - usually could podium the bike - and he's paralyzed from the waist down Wow, how does he keep his legs and feet planted? strap them to the bike??? | ||
| J_s_machine |
Thank yall for the thumb brake Idea. It is a good idea, but I want to do this without spending a ton of money. The cheapest setup I have found so far is from a company called GP Tech and it is $285. Of course it has everything I need, line and all, but like I said if I can build this myself it would be great. From what I can tell, basically all I need is a master cylinder and lever on the handlebar, and a line to tie into my rear brake. like a Double banjo fitting or a junction valve. I could easily build the bracket and lever setup, but I'm not sure how I would incorporate a master cylinder into it. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I think this is him.  You are far from paralyzed, but your limited mobility makes your situation similar to one in which you're right leg is missing or paralyzed. I think searching among the amputee/paralasis riders will be your best bet. | ||
| Glitch |
Diablobrian may have a few ideas. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/board-profile.cgi?action=view_profile&profile=diablobrian-users (Message edited by Glitch on March 03, 2007) | ||
| Old_man |
I think a simple cable to the rear brake cylinder would be the simplest and cheapest way to go. I'm sure a way to route it could be found. | ||
| Slaughter |
Yep Ft_bstrd, that is Stew. He velcro strapped his butt down and velcro strapped his feet to the pegs. He got a bending of the rules to allow his crew chief to hold him upright at the start, they made him start at the back of the grid so his crew chief didn't get run over. He had some outriggers made but didn't work for racing. Had a problem with velcro strap failure because he can't feel his foot dragging. One time, it came off the peg and he didn't realize he was dragging his toes til his foot hit something and he felt it jerk his hip. It wore through his boot and nearly to the bone. He actually had a BAD wreck racing when he didn't separate from the bike - normally the velcro straps would break in a crash. That's when he quit racing, not when he first broke his back! His R6 streetbike has electric outriggers. Really cool to see! We go scuba diving together here in CA - and YES you can scuba dive just fine using only your hands. Sunny just certified his wife so they can now go diving together. He got scuba certified just 2 weeks before he broke his back racing. | ||
| Slaughter |
Here ya go: http://gptechllc.com/productsthumbrakes.htm | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I read an article about the hullabaloo with the post accident fund raiser. What was that all about? Folks like Stew are very inspiring! Good on him for keepin' on! From what I've read, he seems like a nice guy. | ||
| Bake |
From what I can tell, basically all I need is a master cylinder and lever on the handlebar, and a line to tie into my rear brake. like a Double banjo fitting or a junction valve. Wouldn't you want a porportning valve so you can adjust the bias? (Message edited by bake on March 04, 2007) | ||
| Old_man |
You wouldn't need a proportioning valve unless you combined the front brake and rear brake to be controlled by one lever. If you use a separate brake cylinder and lever you don't need this valve, there is nothing to proportion. | ||
| Bake |
I shoulda read the topic tittle! | ||
| Slaughter |
Unless you have anti-skid, there's NO safe way to combine both brakes into one lever. The amount of brake used at each end is dependent on the situation. Keep 'em separate, use an off-the-shelf thumb brake. I bet you'd do just fine - especially since you hardly ever use the rear in heavy braking on pavement. | ||
| Voltage_vector |
A number of years ago, Moto Guzzi had linked brakes. The front brake, one side on a dual disc set up, was on the handle bar, and the foot lever did the rear disc and the other front disc. I never rode one so cant say on it's feel or effectiveness. Could get those parts cheep if you hunt the Guzzi parts places... Good luck  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I don't think I have ever seen the words cheap, Guzzi, and parts in the same sentence. | ||
| Bake |
Good point Slaughter | ||
| Spatten1 |
My opinion: You really don't need the back brake on an XB. With a cruiser there is enough weight on the rear wheel, but with an XB the front does almost all of the braking anyway. The back is just too easy to lock up, and can often get you in more trouble. I believe most racers use the thumb brake to slide the rear and back into corners, not really for stopping power. I might be wrong. | ||
| J_s_machine |
Well, here's the thing guys, it cost me this time. I have a very good reason to be overly cautious on a bike. In sep. 98, I hit a car head on, when he drifted over into my lane of travel. I wnt through the windsheild of the car, and I had very extensive damage to my right leg from my hip down, hence the fused ankle and 12 surgeries. The 13th, was this time, when I broke my same right leg in this particular wreck. When this accident happened, I cannot blame it all on the car in front of me. Yes they did pull out in front of me, but I probably easily could have stopped just fine. But- it scared the hell out of me. I over reacted and slammed my front brake out of instinct, locked the front wheel, and went straight down to the right. Believe it or not, the front tire did not lock up and send me over the bars, It actually slid and went out from under the bike. It may not have made a difference, but if I could have used both brakes it might have changed things. So, I'm going to fix it where I can use my rear brakes before I ride it again. Thanks for the replies. | ||
| Swordsman |
J_s, you're not married, are you? My wife would have chopped up my bike (and every bike afterward) with an axe if I'd been in an accident like that. Banned from biking, that's what I'd be!  ~SM | ||
| J_s_machine |
nope, not married, but you might as well say my GF is gonna leave me if I get back on it...I'm gonna miss her! | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Do what all the stunters do, get a hand brake setup that runs to the rear master cylinder, then you can use both the foot brake and also have a hand brake, only tricky part is pulling it in and the clutch at the same time. |
