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Handbrake
kipper - 22/2/12 at 07:03 PM

Hi all .
I am using a vfr800 rear end on my three wheeler.
I have been cleaning the brake calliper and have noticed it has three pistons. I guess that this is to work with linked brakes.
I have activated the brakes using the air line and discovered that two outer pistons work independantly to the centre single piston.
Question..........Can I use the single piston to operate a hydraulic hand brake?
And will it be OK with MSVA?

I put it to the collective.
Regards Denis.

[Edited on 22/2/12 by kipper]

smart51 - 22/2/12 at 07:07 PM

I thought handbrakes had to be mechanical, not hydraulic. You could phone your local MSVA centre and ask. I found them to be quite helpful.

kipper - 22/2/12 at 07:16 PM

I think I will try that tomorrow. thanks smart51

matt_claydon - 22/2/12 at 09:08 PM

Handbrake must be mechanical I'm afraid. This is because hydraulic pressure can bleed off over time allowing the vehicle to roll away.

jerryscales - 20/3/12 at 08:13 AM

Hi,
I am putting a second caliper that is mechanical on another bracket below the hydraulic one, cost £46 on ebay.

Jerry

kipper - 20/3/12 at 08:40 AM

I too looked into putting a second calliper on the rear wheel but have now opted to fit a pair of willwood combined callipers to the front wheels, these come with four pot brakes and mechanical hand brake.
Regards Denis.

britishtrident - 20/3/12 at 09:12 AM

I would do a search for more background info on those callipers before you buy.

MikeRJ - 20/3/12 at 11:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by kipper
I too looked into putting a second calliper on the rear wheel but have now opted to fit a pair of willwood combined callipers to the front wheels, these come with four pot brakes and mechanical hand brake.
Regards Denis.


I'd be very wary of doing that. Not only are these callipers rather poor in terms of their handbrake effectiveness (and have no self adjustment), but you will have to route handbrake cables to the wheels that do the steering which is going to be interesting...

iti_uk - 9/5/12 at 02:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJI'd be very wary of doing that. Not only are these callipers rather poor in terms of their handbrake effectiveness (and have no self adjustment), but you will have to route handbrake cables to the wheels that do the steering which is going to be interesting...


I've no idea about the effectiveness of the callipers, but as for the cable operation issue on the turning wheels; bear in mind that a few Citroens have handbrake operation on the front wheels. Maybe you could look there for inspiration and/or a calliper.

Alternatively, how about using a disk/calliper from one of the many cars currently available with disks on the rear? My MX5 has a pretty good rear calliper as standard, adjuster and all.

Chris

kipper - 9/5/12 at 07:29 PM

The wilwoods may fall of the car and be replaced with better ones ,and the hanbrake my become hydraulic on the back wheel in use after msva
Denis.

kipper - 11/6/12 at 04:03 PM

I have just been reading the new Complete Kit Car mag and there is a feature on the grinnal Scorpian three wheeler.
It uses the same handbrake system as I have fitted IE hispec callipers with handbrakes on the two front wheels.
It makes me feel more confident about getting it through the MSVA.
Regards Denis.
Can one of you clever people rob a pic from the Magazine?