MotorTrike Parking and Rear Brakes

[Addin a Wheel]

Hello,

I have a recently converted 98 GL1500 with a Motortrike Phoenix kit.

1) I have issues with my parking brake. After a few times using parking brake, I could pull it up all the way and it would not prevent the trike from rolling away.

I took back to installing dealer and after an adjustment the brake held , even with pulling up only a few notches. This was short lived as it "loosened" up, went all the way up again, and would not hold.

2) Concerning the rear brakes, I must really put pressure on the brake pedal to stop effectively. The pedal seems a bit soft. The installer said the brakes are working properly and that's just the way it is with the original master cylinder and the added weight of the conversion. Is this true?

I would have expected to be able to almost lock the rears up.

In closing, going back to the dealer is almost a 5 hour round trip, and I don't want to spend the time for the same results.

Thanking in advance for any suggestions or insight.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Parking brake should hold. I have one on my Roadsmith and it has never required adjusting and I use it frequently where I live.

Rear brakes - what you're experiencing is somewhat normal. 1. did they raise the brake pedal up one notch to give you more leverage? 2. Install a brake pedal cover which makes it larger and easier to apply more pressure. 3. Has your entire brake system been flushed and bled recently?

I know you may not think so but you really don't want the rear wheels to lock up. Trikes are light on the rear end and having the rears lock up is not a good thing. Be sure to use your front brake and it will stop just fine.

Good luck with your new ride.

 

[Tony8]

I have a 2016 GL1800 with CSC Viper kit installed. My rear brake pedal issuse is the same as yours. I thought maybe the brakes needed to be bled out. I took it to the dealer and I was told the rear brakes were fine. They bled the brakes just to be sure. But they told me what I was experianceing was normal.

I have no parking brake installed. When I park, either on a slight incline or level surface, I put the bike in reverse and turn it off. In case the bike rolls to much when shutting the bike off, I shut the bike off while engaging the front brake. After the bike is off I slowly release the front brake and everything is fine.

Hope this information helps.

Tony