Using reverse as a parking brake

[Rex Slye]

I only use reverse as a security measure. At home, my parking space is slightly sloped, so I back in, over a 2” X 4”, let the trike roll against the 2” X 4”, then put it in reverse before shutting down. Nobody is going to move the trike, unless they pick up the back tires. If they want it that bad, they will get it, in reverse or not. When I"m ready for the next drive, I can start up my ride, and let it idle for a few minutes. I never leave the trike in reverse, when under pressure.

Out & about, I use first gear. If quite steep, then the Velcro strap comes out to go around the front brake lever. The strap is permanently on my right handlebar – slides down in the handlebar tunnel and is not even noticeable. On a group ride last year, had to stop on quite a steep section of road (because of an accident) and put it in first to try to hold it stopped, and it turned the engine over, and would not hold. I ended up putting the front tire against the embankment on the shoulder. (This is before I got the Velcro strap.)

Rich, you’re lucky on your parking brake. Even when adjusted properly and pulled on hard, I can push the trike by hand. As far as I’m concerned, it is a worthless accessory.

My garage floor is level for all practical purposes and whenever I put the trike away I do the same thing .. put it in reverse, turn off the engine, then release the reverse button to normal. When I turn the key on to start it again the first thing it does is release reverse and turn on the neutral light. I never use it as a brake to park on inclines. I use 1st gear always and if it's a fairly steep grade I find another place to park. On my Roadsmith I also have the parking brake that works in addition.

 

[ductman]

epper: Thanks Wheels You all way give a chuckle, I am so glade you did not have to use that BFM on her!

 

[harman]

Terry do you have a picture of the wedge you made? sounds like a nice idea.

 

[jhennan]

I use first gear and drilled a hole thru the ball on the brake lever about 3/16''. ran a nice leather strip thru it and made aloop with a knot and adjusted the knot to where I could slip it over the throttle to the right tightness for the brake. left the strings long enough that I could put some red/white/and blue beads on them about 3 to 4 each tide a knot on the ends and it gives you something to pull on when slippimg it over the throttle. That way it is always there when you need it.

 

[Motogordo]

Feb. 8, 2014

I pull into the garage in first gear and turn off the engine. There it sits until the next time.

 

[Calgary]

I use first gear and drilled a hole thru the ball on the brake lever about 3/16''. ran a nice leather strip thru it and made aloop with a knot and adjusted the knot to where I could slip it over the throttle to the right tightness for the brake. left the strings long enough that I could put some red/white/and blue beads on them about 3 to 4 each tide a knot on the ends and it gives you something to pull on when slippimg it over the throttle. That way it is always there when you need it.

A nice idea - thanx for sharing! Riders do have a lot of great ideas!
:GL1800::GL1800: