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View Full Version : Front brake thumb lever. (any engineers out there?)



onearmedbandit
19th February 2010, 11:35
Was thinking about converting my current set-up for my bike (clutch lever on right clip-on in reverse fashion operated by my thumb) to a system putting the clutch lever where the front brake lever is and having a purpose built lever setup for the front brake. After doing a quick search on the 'net I found a couple of options.

The first one, from JRC Racing (Link to lever (http://www.jrc-racing.com/products.htm)) is very nice, but also very pricey and currently out of my price range.

The second option is a lot more basic, but would certainly do the job. (Link (http://www.nabd.org.uk/adaptions/wheaverthumb.htm))

My question here is, is there anyone here who is capable of creating such a beastie? The company that make the second one don't have a website, if no one can help then I'll call them. But if someone here can do a similar job then I'd be happy to keep the money here in NZ. I'm not asking anyone to steal their design, just if the dollars are right (I have no idea how much it would cost to make) and someone can fabricate one then I'd definitely be keen. I would go and check out the local engineering firms but I'm currently stuck at home.

imdying
19th February 2010, 12:02
Would result in a very hefty push to move sufficient fluid to operate your Brembos, the leverage ratios just don't work out favourably for using these on the front.

Take the existing cable off of the perch, pull the outer through and figure out how much you want it shortened by, bring it to Phil's tonight, and I'll shorten it tomorrow morning and come install it at 12:15 (i.e. after work). It'll make a dramatic change to the clutch actuation feel. Once you've done that, if you'd like to tweak it further, then we can investigate things like the CRG perches which have multiple leverage/ratio adjustments to fine tune.

Alternatively we could fit a small vacuum booster inline with one of those thumb brake masters, but I'm not confident that such a long duration cam engine will utilise one effectively (not to mention the size and weight of such a booster).

onearmedbandit
19th February 2010, 12:14
I don't doubt your knowledge on braking systems, but the amount of force I can put through two fingers (generally all I ever use for braking) is probably less than what I can put through my thumb. However I'll still whip the cable off (measure it up first of course) and try to bring it past Phil's tonight.

imdying
19th February 2010, 12:35
I don't doubt your knowledge on braking systems, but the amount of force I can put through two fingers (generally all I ever use for braking) is probably less than what I can put through my thumb.Heh, and I don't doubt the amount of force the wonder thumb can produce. But physiologically speaking, you (and the rest of us) have much less ability to finely modulate (critical in the wet) force through your thumb when it pushes than you do squeezing two or more fingers. Which is why Mr Thumb is delegated jobs that require no finesse (such as pushing a horn button, or changing gears on a push bike).

avgas
19th February 2010, 13:16
What is a reasonable price?
You could always ring up F1, I am guaranteed they will make you one.
I know of a few people - but far from cheap

Kickaha
19th February 2010, 16:04
My question here is, is there anyone here who is capable of creating such a beastie? The company that make the second one don't have a website, if no one can help then I'll call them. But if someone here can do a similar job then I'd be happy to keep the money here in NZ. I'm not asking anyone to steal their design, just if the dollars are right (I have no idea how much it would cost to make) and someone can fabricate one then I'd definitely be keen. I would go and check out the local engineering firms but I'm currently stuck at home.

Pm Marsheng on here, he does cnc design and manufacture and is local

{.bLanK}G_o_D
10th March 2010, 17:10
Heh, and I don't doubt the amount of force the wonder thumb can produce. But physiologically speaking, you (and the rest of us) have much less ability to finely modulate (critical in the wet) force through your thumb when it pushes than you do squeezing two or more fingers. Which is why Mr Thumb is delegated jobs that require no finesse (such as pushing a horn button, or changing gears on a push bike).

Quad bikes and the like use a thumb controlled accelerator. I'd say that requires more than a little finesse.

Don't want to stay with thumb operated clutch and get a nice quad bike cable thumb throttle as a lever?
Bit like this one (http://www.mooseracing.com/catalog.jsp?level1=1756&level2=1783&level3=1816&level4=1834&product_group_id=7400&startPage=1).

I also found this forum (http://forum.disabledbiker.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2635&start=30) while searching. If you haven't found it already.