Line Lock or "Reverse" Parking Brake

[Muleskinner]

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS"><font size="4">The dealer that built my trike told me to use the electric reverse as a parking brake. I've been doing that and, so far, have not had any problems, however I've had concerns that I may be causing undue wear & stress to the system.<br />
<br />
I've also read here about installing a Line Lock system and have been reading about them. There are simple mechanical systems where you press your brake, then at the same time press the plunger to engage the brake. There are also electronic systems that are activated and released by means of a simple 12 volt switch.<br />
<br />
What's everyone's thoughts and/or experiences on using reverse as a parking brake and the Line Lock systems?</font></span>

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I park my Hannigan on a level surface, in 1st gear, with the front wheel turned and locked.

 

[gympy]

come on, let's hear about it. Gympy

 

[John Luciano]

Well the $800 rev brake is a good idea . OH you thought it was free. Well when you snap the gear off and it breaks inside the engine it will cost you $800.00 to get it out . ASK ME HOW I KNOW.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

You can review my pics to see my ultimate trike parking brake. Gonna sell 'em but, I gotta be a bored(not mis-spelled)sponser to do it

 

[Jimsjinx]

I was told to NEVER use the reverse gear for a brake. I saw that ring gear, and it is flimsy looking to me. I bought a 3 dollar plastic wheel chock and use that. jimsjinx

 

[Nauga Mok]

We used to use Microlock, which is one of the brand names of what you're calling "line lock" on medium trucks, forklifts, etc, anything with hyd brakes. There were even some forks that came with microlocks as factory equipment. There were 3 types; 1 had a lever you flipped then hit the brake to develop the applied pressure. One was a twist knob, & the 3rd was an electric solenoid with a push button that did the same thing as the lever. Yeah, we used 'em until OSHA out lawed 'em. They work fine --- for a while, then they start leaking off & vehicles start "running away" & crashing into other vehicles, buildings, people, trees, etc. They causes a few fatalities, so OSHA said "No more microlocks." Someone in another thread suggested wrapping a bunge cord around the front break lever. That would maintain pressure even if there was a slight leak in the system. My Roadsmith has a park brake, but I carry a chock as well because it does have it's limits on slopes.

On steep slopes I apply the park brake, put trans in 1st & stick chock on down hill side of right rear tire since the fork lock locks front end turned to the left. Chocks are cheap & effective.<br />
<br />
NM

 

[Boscoporp]

Many years ago I too was using the reverse gear as a parking brake. I came out one evening to leave the restaurant to ride home and my reverse gear was frozen and I had a devil of a time getting it loose. ( I used a hairdryer to get it loose1)

 

[TRIKERBOB69]

my .02c, get a small chock or install a parking brake, the latter works best the former is very cheap, repairs to your reverse are expensive and time consuming!! jmho

 

[redneckray]

I always carry a cgain and padlock and chain my trike to the nearest one next to me, works all the time,grinn<br />
seriously i installed a line lock on mine and worked fine, till someone stole it,<br />
it was a vw trike,<br />
ray[neck]

 

[1550vt]

I confess to being a rubber-band guy....like...I have some REAL BIG rubbers. Two wraps around the front brake lever and your locked.

No...I do not recommend leaving it there over the winter, but it won't hurt a thing for a few hours when you can't find that flat place to park. The line-lock Nauga mentioned above can be had for just a few bucks. Again....it's not for permanent parking, but it will look real interesting and you will have something different to show people.....other than your BIG rubbers.

 

[trike lady]

That's a big no-no, never use the reverse feature of the GL-1800 as a parking brake, I know a number who have and had to pay to have it repaired. A simple solution is a velcro strap on the front brake lever.

 

[BlueTrinity]

So, why would anyone want to try to use the reverse as apark brake anyway? Do they think that compression is higher in reverse?

And don't even think about first and reverse at the same time. Pulling against each other will wedge both into place and very difficult to get eithr out of gear.

 

[Gorilla]

I guess its because people do not understand the differences in the motorcycle transmission from a auto transmission. They also don't know how the reverse is made to work by an electric motor not the transmission on some trikes. We just need to educate them.

 

[Big_Steve]

I guess its because people do not understand the differences in the motorcycle transmission from a auto transmission. They also don't know how the reverse is made to work by an electric motor not the transmission on some trikes. We just need to educate them.

I just put mine in "Park"



:no:

 

[Gorilla]

I just put mine in "Park"



:no:

See we got Big Steve educated.

 

[Muleskinner]

Thanks all for the imput. Think I'll go with the velcro strap system. Simple and pretty much foolproof.:wtg:

 

[Bob Witte]

Thanks all for the imput. Think I'll go with the velcro strap system. Simple and pretty much foolproof.:wtg:

Until we came up with a mechanical caliper for the leading edge for our Burgmans & Silverwings, our "parking brake" was the velcro solution. I still hand them out with the idea that on a real steep hill, I wouldn't want to depend up on the mechanical only.

We use the kind intended for ropes & hoses that have hooks on one side and loops on the other. Readily available at Lowe's Depot type stores.

Bob Witte
The Trinity Trike