Question 1: Does a 914 rear caliper need fluid in it for the parking brake parts to work?
Background: I'm building a small (250cc Yamaha-based) trike and need a rear brake system that can be operated by a cable connected to the bike's foot pedal (no hydraulics). I remembered that a 914's parking brake is cable-actuated, so the plan is to hook the bike's foot pedal cable to the parking brake arm on a 914 rear brake caliper. (I'd mount the rotor directly to the Comet differential case so one brake will work both rear wheels - should be sufficient stopping power at the sub-freeway speeds the Yamaha can achieve.)
Question 2: Any reason it wouldn't work, or issues I need to deal with?
More into: If pictures help, I've documented the plan at http://www.carcentric.com/YamahaSR250Trike.htm
Thanks for any assistance,
M D "Doc" Nugent
Former owner of 914 Lite 2.5
http://home1.gte.net/nugentmd/914lite.htm
Welcome DOC Nugent..
You can use the 914 rear caliper without fluid (I would put some in them to keep the seals wet and cap it closed).
B
I'm not sure I would trust that little arm with my life though.
Hey, this forum is FAST with the responses!
A few more data points (if they matter). Expected top speed is 45mph. Expected annual mileage is maybe 500 at the most. No racing.
Thanks for the initial input. I'll almost fill the caliper with DOT 4? (the kind that doesn't absorb water) to minimize internal rusting, and check frequently for weird wear and cupping of the rotor (unlikely, I think, given its use parameters). Anything else?
Is there a manual way to make the adjustments ArtechnikA mentioned? Would a simple pumping of compressed air into the (unused) hydraulic line occasionally do the needed adjustment?
M D "Doc" Nugent
...it'll probably still take forever to stop, even though the trike is lighter.
I like to think of the parking brake as a "gradual momentum reducer."
Doc, once again I will recommend Wilwood mechanical spot go-kart calipers.
--DD
Answers to questions:
1. "dependig on the weight" - It'll weigh under 750 lbs with me and my wife aboard.
2. "why not mount a real braking system?" - Cost and complexity . . . and cost (I still have a few 914 parts left, so they're "free").
Got your message, Dave. Still looking for the "no cash outlay" solution.
MDN
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