For those of you on a budget of zero dollars that just want to stop the spray
of water on a wet field, and that only want to use a brake
occasionally to slow down to make a turn on a runway, here is possibly the
cheapest known method of accomplishing
both goals.
(I'm almost embarrassed to say what I did)
Go to sheet metal fabricator's throw out pile. Ask if you can have a small piece
of scrap. They always say yes. Pick up a piece about 4.5 inches wide and long
enough to go from as far forward over your front tire as you want, and, curving
down against the gooseneck, to stop a bit below its base. Fasten it at the top
end only via the nut(s) that hold the front forks on. On an SR2 there is only
one. It will take a natural curve shape back against the fork support tubing.
Slightly round the sharp corners with snips and dress them lightly with a file.
The fender is almost done. Do not fasten the bottom end securely. It has to be
able to slide up and back down a wee bit. You can get as fancy as you want here,
from slots and bolts, or spacers and rivets or whatever your talents dictate.
You can also be as simple as securing it loosely with a single heavy duty cable
tie at the base of the gooseneck. (or two at right angles) Fender's done.
It reduces the spray on your glasses.
Now here's the cheapo brake. Cut a piece of 1"x1.5" wood like
the kind they use for a garden stake, or something similar, (bigger as you
like), and long enough that when correctly placed across (at right angles to)
the inside of your fender, your feet can make contact with it on both or either
side. Bolt this to your fender where a slight foot pressure will cause it put
pressure on the tire. Sand it and paint everything and the brake is done. I have
seen a variation on this that was a bit nicer. The wood to tire friction plate
was a piece of plywood plate hinged to the gooseneck, and had a spring return.
It was the fender. The owner had used some chrome swept back pedals of some
kind, fastened to this piece of plywood to push the wood plate against the tire.
This allowed for something that actually looked like brake pedals and they were
formed and placed in such a way as to get past but be adjacent to any other
stuff mounted in the front area. These probably aren't for the scoffers of
simple but cheap alternatives, or those capable of buying or doing something
more traditional, classy, or nicer looking. But don't knock it if you haven't
tried it. If you are running with nothing for brakes and can't seem to bring
yourself to buy or make something more complex, this is as simple and cheap as
it gets and they work extremely well. For the few times they really would HAVE
to be used, tire wear should not be an issue. And most importantly, they will
stop you from hitting that jet, on the apron, rolling on that corner, speed
coasting into that ocean, ditch, or fence, or putting out your feet and breaking
your leg or ankle.
I know my first shot with the paint isn't great, but the next one should even
things out a bit better. Sheet metal doesn't hold onto that stuff all that
great. The oblique angle shows my block in near the tire. The fishing rod up the
gooseneck is my home made antenna. Don't laugh. It works excellent. And as for
the brake? If I want to lock that tire down and bark rubber off on pavement till
it pops, I bet I could do it. So I guess the brake'll work. :-) Never
know, might need it sometime.
told you it was simple...
Ken Butler
Peace River, Alberta
Reply to Ken...
Ken,
Interesting. Although in my day, we just used our Flintstones brakes and
the spray from a wet field was considered air
conditioning. Nowadays, with our fancy two seater's, the pilot should just
instruct the student to put his feet on the ground.
This will have two effects. First, it might slow you down a little and second,
it will teach the student a valuable lesson. ;-) This
method also costs the pilot nothing as long as he makes sure the student signs a
waiver.
Gary Fisher