Parking Brake

The electric trike will require an emergency brake/parking brake primarily to keep the vehicle from rolling when it is parked and shut off. Unlike a car or motorcycle with a mechanical transmission which can keep the vehicle from rolling when it is parked, the electric trike will roll fairly easily if it is on even a minor grade.

The hydraulic brake system I purchased from QS Motors comes with calipers which have a built in emergency and parking brake mechanism and the system also includes the cables and attachment hardware  for operating the system. The kit does not, however, include the parking brake handle or a ratcheting mechanism. In addition a bracket must be fabricated for securing the brake cables to the trike’s frame.

Photo of cable bracket fabrication
Photo 1 – Angle stock is used to create a mounting bracket to secure the emergency brake cables.

The cable mounting bracket is cut from 1 ½” x 1 ½” angle stock. A hole is drilled to fit the threaded fitting at the end of the brake cable. (Photo 1)

 

 

Photo of brake cable bracket fabrication
Photo 2 – The holes in the bracket are cut open so the cables can be slipped in place.

The holes in the bracket are opened up to the outer edge so that the brake cables can easily be installed or removed from the bracket. (Photo 2)

 

 

Photo of brake cable bracket and mounting bar
Photo – 3 The cable mounting bracket is welded to a cross member which will be bolted to the trike frame.

A cross piece is cut from 3/16″ flat stock so that it can fit the width of the frame. The cable mounting bracket is welded to the cross piece. (Photo 3)

 

 

 

Photo of emergency brake cables bolted into bracket
Photo 4 – The cable mounting bracket is bolted to the frame and the cables (arrow) are secured in place.

The cross piece is bolted to the frame and the cables are secured in the mounting bracket. (Photo 4)

 

 

 

Photo of emergency brake cables in bracket
Photo 5 – Emergency brake cables secured to the mounting bracket.

Photo 5 shows the underside of the cables bolted into the mounting bracket.

 

 

 

 

Photo of Volkswagen emergency brake lever
Photo 6 – Aftermarket VW emergency brake handle and ratcheting mechanism.

The brake handle and ratcheting mechanism are an aftermarket unit made to fit a Volkswagon Beatle. These brake handles are primarily used in baja bug type builds and can be purchased for $25-$30. (Photo 6)

 

Photo of brake lever mounting bar
Photo 7 – A mounting bracket is cut and drilled for the emergency brake handle.

A mounting bracket for the brake handle is cut from 3/16″ flat stock and drilled for the mounting bolt. The holes on each end of the bracket are for bolting it to the trike’s frame. (Photo 7)

 

 

Photo of brake lever bolted to mounting bar
Photo 8 – Brake lever bolted to the mounting bracket.

Photo 8 shows the brake handle bolted to the mounting bar.

 

 

 

 

Photo of slot used to secure ratcheting mechanism
Photo – 9 This slot (arrow) is used to hold the ratcheting mechanism in position.

The only drawback to using the Baja bug brake handle is that the ratcheting mechanism is not held stationary by the handle itself. Instead, the slot shown at the red arrow in Photo 9 normally hooks to a tab on the Volkswagon driveshaft tunnel and this tab holds the ratcheting mechanism in a fixed position. So a stop must be fabricated to keep the ratchet fixed.

Photo of stop for ratcheting mechanism
Photo – 10 A “stop” is fabricated from angle iron to fit the slot on the ratcheting mechanism and secure it in place.

The stop is cut from angle iron so that it fits the slot but will not interfere with brake lever as it is engaged or released. (Photo 10)

 

 

 

Photo of ratchet stop welded to mounting bar
Photo 11 – The “stop” is welded to the brake lever mounting bracket.

The stop is positioned and then welded to the brake lever mounting bar. (Photo 11)

 

 

 

 

Photo of ratchet stop for emergency brake
Photo 12 – The “stop” fits in the ratchet’s slot to secure the ratchet in place.

Photo 12 shows the brake lever bolted to the mounting bar and the ratchet stop (red arrow)

 

 

 

 

Mounted emergency brake lever showing ratchet stop
Photo 13 – The brake lever bolted to the frame. Arrow shows the stop and ratcheting mechanism.

Photo 13 shows the entire brake lever mechanism and stop bolted onto the trike’s frame. The red arrow shows the ratchet stop.

 

 

 

Photo of emergency brake lever position when disengaged
Photo 14 – Emergency brake lever in the released position.

Photo 14 shows the brake lever in the released position. In this position it will be tucked under the “dash” of the trike and partially hidden from view once the dash is installed.

 

Photo of emergency brake lever in engaged positionPhoto 15 shows the brake lever in the engaged position. When engaged the level protrudes out from under the dash and will be easy to spot to remind the rider to release before engaging the motor.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *