For every one that want's to know how to build a GOOD handbrake for a decent budget:YEAH , I've put this together. This is the best out of 3 homemade HB's ive done, and it requires the least "rigging" or fabrication. I built this one for 43 dollars, and although it's not Cheap, it's lower than most commercial kits and from all the ones i've made this one really has some braking power, and a clean finish

what you'll need.

1.) 2 x LEFT HAND dirt bike style clutch perches, make sure to get the ones that have 2 screws for the clamp (the type that will open into 2 halves when the clamping bolts are taken out) = $8.00 or less each

2.) 1 left dirtbike clutch lever

3.)For the cable I took a universal BMX cable that i had cut to length on a previous brake, and just matched up the length of some other cables at the dealer. there were 3 that would have worked. I will measure mine and get a length so you can find more matches. but the exact one i have is sold as " yamaha, rear handbrake cable" part # MP05 - 0169 for $20.70


4.) access to a welder and some scrap tubing and flat stock (only an inch of each )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK, so here what to do once you get the parts.

1.) mount one left perch and the lever on your bars

2.)attach the cable at teh perch and route it through the frame to the right side of the swingarm

3.) mount the other perch on the swingarm ( this is why you need the perch that seperates to 2 halves) here's a couple pics




4.) now you'll need to remove the brake rod and use some metal scrap and a welder to make a mount to secure the brake cable...first put your cable through the perch on the swingarm and figure where you will attach the mount for the cable end

here's a pic of mine , i use a piece of round tubing and a little rectangular scrap to make a raised eyelet (the cable is secured through it and held by two 10mm nuts)

don't laugh at the shitty welds i was out of gas and had to use some old flux wire

5.) put it back together , adjust out the slack and ride it


you'll have to have a minimal knowledge of what you're doing to start this project, but either way i'm not responsible for anything to do with this from you welding your hand to the brake rod, or looping out because you forgot to tighten something. have fun

P.S. DO THE BRAKE MOD WHILE YOU ARE THERE< IT MAKES A HELL OF A DIFFERENCE...see the sticky in the help & how to section (tuboglenn)

 

Rock on :YEAH works great

 

i have the same except for the perch at the bottom, good idea, im gonna do that.


u dont have to weld it though, i just have my cable ziptied to where the spring is on the rear brake thing.


ur frame looks real good.

i used a 02 r1 clutch cable for mine perfect length.

 

HAHAHA I just sat here for like 3 minutes reading and looking at it, wondering who the hell would be riding a stunt bike with drum brakes, before figuring out I was on the FIDDY Forum.

 

To give credit where credit is due, the whole "handbrake for under $50" was written (and pictures) by "TurboGlenn"

 

YES, definatly gotta give credit for TURBOGLENN for this write up!!!!!!

 

yea this set up works pretty good not as good as the 50 stunt hb but i'm a cheap bastard and cant bring myself to spend $100 on one

 

I made mine for under $20 and it kicks ***:YEAH

 

wow glad to see my handbrake tutorial made it over here!!

i should have posted here a while back but never thought of it.

here's the bike, still in action paint job adn all...you can see the brake on the swingarm

 

This is a great idea! I've just completed my install but I do have a question. My new rear hand brake is not as effective as the foot lever. Is this normal or have I done something wrong? The brake does work! But it will not lock up the back tire no matter how hard I try - it mostly just slows me down a little. This should be enough to help during wheelie tricks but I want to make sure it's as good as it can be. Please help. Thanks, wjerlinger

 

+1
i used 2 old perches i had lying around where i broke them, and couldnt find replacement levers to fit a old clutch cable (good and strong) and a piece of allthread 2 washers, and 2 lock nuts works great, but i dont use the foot lever on my 50 (broke the cases 2xs cause of it bending in when i dropped it)
looks like a sweet setup, might have to try it so i can put my foot brake lever back on for some different tricks :YEAH

 

handbrakes? hahahahahha

 

Does this only work for a drum brake ?

 

if your thinking of trying it for any big bikes....forget about it.


disaster waiting to happen. go to www.fullthrottleinc.net and get a HB from the, bill is an awesome dude.

 

i used your idea about the clutch lever thing it worked great especialy for a "budget" mod but now i have a disc on the back got ****** off with the foot break so i borrowed the rear disc setup off my kids 50cc quad it fits perfectly so now i have a disc with a hand operated lever but i would still recomend this mod if your on a budget if your not then get a disc and the set up off a kids quad.

 

disc brakes on the rear **** for stunting (touchy)

 

i did something very similar to this only i took the adjuster pin that the rear brake rod comes through and got a same diameter piece of aluminum and cut it 3/4" longer and drilled it for the brake rod and then another hole at same angle near the end and then a hole from the end and tapped it for a set bolt and ran the cable from the hand control to the rear.... works like a champ and no welding needed at all... i'll post pix tomorow nite of the final product...

 

here's the pix of what i did, 14.99 for bmx hand control, 8.99 5' cable & case, 2.00 for retainer pin... 26.00 and a little time and you got a decent hand brake w/ no welding... it won't lock up the rear but it will bring my fat **** to a quick stop...

 

disc brakes are fine for stunting if they'r set up with the right amount of modulation maybe a litttle more messin than a drum but like i say they work fine if you know how to set them up i guess it comes down to personal preference

 

mine cost all of $8.95 for a cheap-o bmx brake kit from academy sports. you also see my homemade pegs witch only cost $11.00 to make.
It's ghetto-fabulous but it will lock the back wheel just as well as the foot lever.