GL1500 trike parking brake

[agedbikeman]

Parking brake temporary stop brake, call it what you will.
I have an insta trike fitted, ( very pleased with it), but there are no brakes on the trike wheels, so how do you stop it running away if you want to leave the engine running

Crystal Pistol started me on this one, using a wedge in the brake lever while you closed garage doors or wanted to get off the bike without turning off the engine.
It worked a treat but being a gadgitaholic I couldn't leave it at that, so I ordered a miniature spring loaded solenoid from ebay, mega cheap incase it didn't work.
using a double sided sticker, I stuck it to the rubber boot around the brake lever switch then secured it with a cable tie. wired the solenoid to a momentary push switch, now I pull the brake lever, push the button, let go the brake lever then let go the button. Now the solenoid is jammed in the brake lever until you pull the lever again then the spring in the solenoid pulls it out from the lever.
Current is only drawn for a brief moment while I push the button.

Solenoid not engaged in brake lever

Solenoid engaged in brake lever

The nut on the end of the rod just fits between the two lever switch buttons ie. brake light and cc.
Thanks to Crystal Pistol for the basic idea

[WingAdmin]

Love it, what a unique idea! It would be great to see a quick video of it in action...

[agedbikeman]

I took a video of it but couldn't find out how to upload it, if you can tell me I'll do it, I'll also put a link to the exact part I used, I couldn't believe how well it worked, the whole thing cost less than $10

[WingAdmin]

I took a video of it but couldn't find out how to upload it, if you can tell me I'll do it, I'll also put a link to the exact part I used, I couldn't believe how well it worked, the whole thing cost less than $10

We don't have the ability to post videos directly on the site (it would take far too much space), but you can post it on Vimeo or YouTube and link it here.

[CrystalPistol]

Looks good here too!

Watching for details, etc …. nice going!

[agedbikeman]

Ok guys, as requested, here is a video of it in action
I connected it to an unswitched permanent live as, imagine defeating it and while fumbling for your keys the bike rolls into the vehicle in front or over your foot



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Happy to answer any questions
Enjoy
Alex

[WingAdmin]

OK, having watched that video, I'm going to reiterate: what a clever idea!

[Damnut]

I just want to say thank you for this great idea! I'm in the middle of doing all the maintenance on my "new to me" GL1500 with a sidecar. One of my gripes is no e-brake on the rig and I'd have to shut it off everytime to get off. I just did the mod last night and it worked like a charm!!!! THANKS!

-Jim

[CrystalPistol]

Ok guys, as requested, here is a video of it in action
I connected it to an unswitched permanent live as, imagine defeating it and while fumbling for your keys the bike rolls into the vehicle in front or over your foot



   Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!


Happy to answer any questions
Enjoy
Alex

Well, thinking that maybe you still have a link to the "miniature spring loaded solenoid from ebay" in your ebay history. Looks great!
Maybe this is it?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Spring-Loaded- ... Sw~V9ZzZcO
Thank You.

[Damnut]

Ok guys, as requested, here is a video of it in action
I connected it to an unswitched permanent live as, imagine defeating it and while fumbling for your keys the bike rolls into the vehicle in front or over your foot



   Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!


Happy to answer any questions
Enjoy
Alex

Well, thinking that maybe you still have a link to the "miniature spring loaded solenoid from ebay" in your ebay history. Looks great!
Maybe this is it?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Spring-Loaded- ... Sw~V9ZzZcO
Thank You.

That will work and is the same one I used.

[agedbikeman]

Hi Jim
Pleased you used my idea, but don't trust it on a steep hill, it really is just a "while I shut the garage door device". I'm working on a MKII version.
If you have your bike in bits, also consider my "starter motor warning light", will stay on if your solenoid jams shut as mine did, cost me 100€ towing fee, if I'd have known the cause could have fixed it at the roadside. Towing 100€, warning light 5€, no contest.

Alex

[CrystalPistol]

Hi Jim
Pleased you used my idea, but don't trust it on a steep hill, it really is just a "while I shut the garage door device". I'm working on a MKII version.
If you have your bike in bits, also consider my "starter motor warning light", will stay on if your solenoid jams shut as mine did, cost me 100€ towing fee, if I'd have known the cause could have fixed it at the roadside. Towing 100€, warning light 5€, no contest.

Alex

I am gonna add the small LED light for sure, but I likely will stay with my wedge for the brake, I can adjust it in use and I'm "used to it", but if not for that, I like the solenoid idea, I know many will go with it. I might revise the wedge though, might even try a rubber one if I can find a hard rubber block and cut it on my bandsaw (1956 era ShopSmith MkV with Magna 11" bandsaw, SS put a new motor on it in '92)? Of course, I'd test it for a clean release though.

Just putting a picture here if anyone maybe is looking for a manual labor type solution:

[CrystalPistol]

Well, thinking that maybe you still have a link to the "miniature spring loaded solenoid from ebay" in your ebay history. Looks great!
Maybe this is it?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Spring-Loaded- ... Sw~V9ZzZcO
Thank You.

That will work and is the same one I used.

Again …. Thank You!

[CrystalPistol]

I revised mine yesterday evening, made a new one and added a counter sunk screw with cap nut to make for easier handling with gloves on. I also cut it from 1/4" aluminum and added a shallow bevel on the end … I was just playing.


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