"Integrated" Brakes

[pushrod]

A buddy is looking at tying the front and rear brake systems on a '05 Sportster together for a rider with a prosthetic right (lower) leg.

We talked for a while, and our thinking is that he should be able to put the MC and hose assembly from a dual disc (FL) bike on there, and run one of the hoses to the rear brake.

It'd tie into the rear brake line via a proportioning valve. He'd plug the return orifice to the rear MC reservoir.

That should give the rider braking at both wheels with either the hand or foot brake.

Comments/Suggestions?

[The_AirHawk]

Thumb Brake.

I heard about a guy putting a "reversed brake pedal" on the left side of a cruiser as well - uses the heel of his left boot to actuate the brake, and the toe to actuate the shifter.

BUT - I would still go with the thumb brake. In my experience, cruiser-riders generally over-use the rear brake (as if sportbike riders don't - Ha!), and a "weak" thumb-brake would probably teach better front-brake habits, while still giving access to a rear brake for the times when you REALLY need just the rear (i.e. a low/no traction on the front tire issue like wet grass or gravel).

[sarnali2]

I would think the most difficult part of getting linked brakes to work would be the proportioning valve ratio. You can get brake lines made in any configuration you want at most NAPA stores along with various shaped fittings, getting a consistent pressure rise across both master cylinders tough would be a beetch I would think.

Why not just find an older Guzzi, they had linked brakes back when hector was a pup all set up and everything.

[pushrod]

Good points, both!

However, the bike is the given; so he is trying to figure out how to give the rider some rear brake without use of the pedal.

[The_AirHawk]

I still vote "thumb brake".

There are times when a LBS will put you on your ass. I just do not like the idea of Linked Brakes on a moto.

[Kenneth_Moore]

I vote: Forget the rear brake. They're next to useless anyway, especially on a Schportster.

[mscuddy]

Put the pedal on the other side, use your heel. I've seen that done lots of times for gimps like us. Figuring out a porportioning valve and all that would be a pain, when you could just buy a rear brake bracket from an old Japanese bike and modify it for use on the left.

[jurasic]

My old 85 1200cc Goldwing has front and back brakes hooked together. The foot brake activates the rh front disc plus the rear one, the handle bar lever operates the left hand front disc... very effective. There maybe something you get from Honda or a wreckers to proportion the fluidtransfer. Just a thought ... cheers

[MOKE1K]

Originally Posted by The_AirHawk

I still vote "thumb brake".

There are times when a LBS will put you on your ass. I just do not like the idea of Linked Brakes on a moto.

Best idea so far cheap and easy. Theres a few companies that sell them.

[A Star Ride]

I seldomn use my rear brake at all. Could get by without it for the most part... cept panic stops when downshifting & front brake aint enough, then you just have to eat it I guess.