DIY Rear Thumb Brake

[Negrogrande]

After my last day at Bernie's Gilesy mentioned that I was too on/off on the brakes and needed to start trailing into the corners if I wanted to go faster.

Also said that I should learn to apply rear brake to help bring the rear around (kept running wide at the fish hook).

not too keen on using the rear foot operated brake, does anyone run a thumb brake?
I have been reading up on alot of DIY set-ups that stunters use (basically grab a front of a 250 or similar and flip it).

Also in regards to TD legality will it pass scrutineering?

Cheers,
Andrew

[chubb]

There's a trick using the rear brake that Bernie teaches at his school..

its queer foot positioning but I have grown used to it just by practice..

that said, I'm not that quick so you're better off waiting for the next sensible post

[Marshy]

There's a trick using the rear brake that Bernie teaches at his school..

its queer foot positioning but I have grown used to it just by practice..

that said, I'm not that quick so you're better off waiting for the next sensible post

Do tell! I'm useless at using the rear brake....

[Negrogrande]

So I looked in the GCRs
and there was no specific mention of a foot operated rear brake being needed.
15.1.2 Brakes
15.1.2.1 At least 2 efficient brakes must operate
independently of each other on the front
and rear wheels.
15.1.2.2 Front brake caliper mounting bolts to be
lockwired in the tightened position

I might give building a thumb brake a go, at worst I can always change it back

[Little Mick]

Muzz has one on his SP1.. he rigged a hose to the rear master and has both foot and hand (left) operation.... he only drags the rear with the hand lever so it is quite effective..

I just use the rear brake pedal...I was somewhat fortunate to have ground down my stock brake lever in a minor wet weather spill which meant that the quirky foot position Chubb's referring to is pretty comfortable with the narrower pedal (foot rolls to outside of pedal and doesnt take any major readjustment).

I tend to use it mid turn and sometimes coming out of tight turns like T8 at wacky or T2 at EC to minimise the risk of spin up/ high side..Allows a little more throttle which in turn will also keep the front down ....

but as per Chubb...Im not really fast enough to need it, just try to practice it to get it down pat..

[chubb]

The edge of your toe is dragging on the rear brake. You have to roll your ankle a little.

I use it to tighten up my lines on exit and helps on corners that fall away from you i.e. turn 4 EC, crash corner at Broady since Bernie teaches us to keep on the throttle going downhill as it keeps the weight off the front end and not fold the front.

I drag the rear brake going into most corners. Just very used to it ever since I went to Bernies school in 11.

When my brake lever broke at wakefield park when I gone down on Nelso's oil spill, I felt very uncomfortable without my rear brake. I just use the stock r6 rear brake and go through them as much as I do the front!

Still got plenty more to learn. It's been a very exciting journey first year on the 600 so far.. looking forward to learning as much as I can from all you guys

[Mstevo]

Do tell! I'm useless at using the rear brake....
Listening to the MotoGp tech talk video's 1/2 the field don't use the rear brake

[chubb]

They also have carbon brakes:p

[Marshy]

Listening to the MotoGp tech talk video's 1/2 the field don't use the rear brake

I've heard that too. But on the other hand, the other half do use it! I wonder which half is which.... ;)

[Mr.Ed]

They also have a shimik traction control and an amazing amount of talent on their right hand. So maybe they don't need the rear brake as much as the rest of us.

[Negrogrande]

so my DIY thumb brake is coming along, however it appear the LH switchblock is going to have to go...

what do I do with all the wires in there? I took it off (to have a look) and there is shitloads of gear in there.

Will post pics tomorrow night

[Marshy]

There's nothing important in there (although on suzukis you need to bridge the clutch wires to get it to start!). But remember it will then start without the clutch in, and possibly in gear....

Oh, and:

http://narwhaler.com/original/bw/v/yoda-without-pics-this-thread-is-useless-BWVHSx.jpg

[Negrogrande]

Clutch dealie isn't connected to the Switchblock, it sits on it's own (have reconnected the switch after discovering not having it puts the bike in safe mode) I will post photos when I get to the bike tonight.

[Negrogrande]

pics
I'm not sure what to do with the wires once I disconnect them
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/NGR170/Gixxa/IMG_3339_zpsc559ce07.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/NGR170/media/Gixxa/IMG_3339_zpsc559ce07.jpg.html)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/NGR170/Gixxa/IMG_3340_zps64130b28.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/NGR170/media/Gixxa/IMG_3340_zps64130b28.jpg.html)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/NGR170/Gixxa/IMG_3341_zps1858570b.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/NGR170/media/Gixxa/IMG_3341_zps1858570b.jpg.html)

[BoB]

does the switchblock wires go back to a plug on the wiring loom, if so couldnt you just unplug it .?

[senator8]

Yes they do and that's what I did on the Suzuki

[Negrogrande]

Will investigate that on Wednesday, will check if the clutch switch is on the same plug.

Thanks for the help guys, have no problem getting my hands dirty with mechanical stuff, but I am terrified of messing with anything electrical

[Marshy]

Will investigate that on Wednesday, will check if the clutch switch is on the same plug.l

It should be separate (I'm pretty sure, but that's from memory). The clutch switch is a separate smaller plug, with nothing else attached to it.


Thanks for the help guys, have no problem getting my hands dirty with mechanical stuff, but I am terrified of messing with anything electrical

You should be the opposite!! Generally electrics are much simpler - they simply work or they don't! Mechanical stuff has plenty of grey area - it works, but sub-optimally, or it works for a while until the whole motor lets go in a loud, expensive bang because you didn't put it back together right.

[Negrogrande]

update, LH switchblock is goneski's

using Dan's link http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=250801

I went on the path of removing the switch block.

first up I made up a ground terminal for the relay
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/NGR170/1231536_10151639008220671_1710354645_n_zps1381e80a .jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/NGR170/media/1231536_10151639008220671_1710354645_n_zps1381e80a .jpg.html)

then I spliced lines into the clutch switch and starter
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/NGR170/1236565_10151639008590671_2126799434_n_zpsa8bac828 .jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/NGR170/media/1236565_10151639008590671_2126799434_n_zpsa8bac828 .jpg.html)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/NGR170/1208868_10151639008495671_528563277_n_zps3db691d7. jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/NGR170/media/1208868_10151639008495671_528563277_n_zps3db691d7. jpg.html)

then I tucked it away under the subframe using a convenient tapped thread for the pillion seat catch
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/NGR170/601042_10151639008690671_647720257_n_zpsf12966b1.j pg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/NGR170/media/601042_10151639008690671_647720257_n_zpsf12966b1.j pg.html)

and finally after unbolting the radiator mounts to get to the switch
success
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/NGR170/526893_10151639008790671_2112087872_n_zps41eaa6c9. jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/NGR170/media/526893_10151639008790671_2112087872_n_zps41eaa6c9. jpg.html)

still waiting on my rear brake line from GP tech so I can make my thumb brake, will post photos once I start

[Marshy]

still waiting on my rear brake line from GP tech so I can make my thumb brake, will post photos once I start

Nice work. I'm very keen to see this!

[dan]

Any update????

[Marshy]

+1. Enquiring minds want to know....!

[Team Zero]

I think he is referring to me. I think marshy would be keen to know as well.

[Negrogrande]

The junction valve and rear line have landed, trying to find a small enough M/C that I can flip on the left bar.

failing that I will ring around and see if I can get a cheap fork clamp made up
Like this one
178

$450 for $8 worth of aluminium seems excessive to me

[Nelso]

What happened to this idea?

[chubb]

I know Mstevo fitted his thumb brake Nelso.

[Mstevo]

I know Mstevo fitted his thumb brake Nelso.
It's been on for a while but I haven't tried to use it yet as I'm working on so many other things like race pattern gearing and a different riding style

[gaz37]

An alternative to thumb brake, Danny Sailer aka Ripperton Electric bike bloke had fitted a throttle brake on the left clip on his old CBR1000RR. He said It worked for him. Remember either Doohan on Gardener used a thumb lever back in the day when the 500GP oil burners tried to throw their riders overboard prior to traction control and electronics goodies. Troy Bayliss did OK without using rear brake winning one MotoGP race plus a couple of Superbike titles.

[Saturnalian]

It's been on for a while but I haven't tried to use it yet as I'm working on so many other things like race pattern gearing and a different riding style

What did you go for in the end Mark.
I got mine all sorted and bled properly now with good pressure on both the foot and thumb levers. That took a bit of thinking to get it bled right.
I have a brand new HEL long line that i never ended up using that will allow you to run a thumb direct to the rear caliper if you're still looking.

[chubb]

What did you go for in the end Mark.
I got mine all sorted and bled properly now with good pressure on both the foot and thumb levers. That took a bit of thinking to get it bled right.
I have a brand new HEL long line that i never ended up using that will allow you to run a thumb direct to the rear caliper if you're still looking.

Do you have both a working foot and thumb brake??

I'd be interested in seeing your setup.

[Saturnalian]

Do you have both a working foot and thumb brake??

I'd be interested in seeing your setup.

All going well I'll be back out at the end of the month. 29th at the Creek. Just going to miss busting my Wakefield cherry this week.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mstevo]

What did you go for in the end Mark.
I got mine all sorted and bled properly now with good pressure on both the foot and thumb levers. That took a bit of thinking to get it bled right.
I have a brand new HEL long line that i never ended up using that will allow you to run a thumb direct to the rear caliper if you're still looking.

The same set up as you (http://www.sesraceproducts.com/levers-pedals--brakes-34-c.asp) except I went straight to the rear caliper with a 1.5m braided line for an ATV off Ebay from Melbourne for $27 ;-)

[Negrogrande]

What happened to this idea?

couldn't find a small enough brake M/C to fit on handlebars, I still have the junction valve and line, $450 still seems to steep for a lever

[Carl-52]

how about the Brembo version??? http://www.hsmotoracing.com/race-parts/rafiky-a-kolesa-d.i.d-en/brzdove-pumpy-en/brembo-brake-master-cylinder-thumb-ps11-for-left-hand.html so EXXY!!!!!!

also who said they wanted a rear thumb brake???? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thumb-Brake-/261500010836?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3ce29d8154 bargain of the year, its the SES one as well so it should be $400 ish.

[Mr.Ed]

That is cheap... but posting to UK only may be a bit of an issue for some.

[chubb]

I'm sure Carl has a secret posting courier he uses from his hometown

[Carl-52]

lol i might do ;)

[Saturnalian]

I looked at that Brembo setup. It purely drips $$$$ doesn't it.

If anyone wants one of these i would suggest getting onto UK dude immediately about postage and checking the diameter of the tube clamp while you're at it.
This thing is awesome. I'll post up soon the difficulties i faced installing mine

[Carl-52]

its for a gsxr1000 k7/8 ad the upper fork diameter under the top triple is 50mm same as an r6 :D

[Mstevo]

This thing is awesome. I'll post up soon the difficulties i faced installing mine

Started using mine to-day at WP before the rain set in, it takes some coordination with the clutch and down shifting pushing the lever and holding on, also the counter steering thing is in their too, but over all it's not a bad thing :-)

[Carl-52]

id certainly like to try one for fun :) otherwise even just getting a quick look so i can dimension it up and then make my own, then find a MC and its all good

[Saturnalian]

Started using mine to-day at WP before the rain set in, it takes some coordination with the clutch and down shifting pushing the lever and holding on, also the counter steering thing is in their too, but over all it's not a bad thing :-)

This is kind of why i went for the dual setup Mark. My thinking is to continue using the footbrake as i'm used to for quick braking and then use the thumb brake for mid corner settling so i'm adding a skill slowly rather than changing what i know.
When i first bled it out the thumb brake was rock hard. In the end i added a new Banjo at the top M/C that has a bleed nipple in it but didn't bleed it again to take some of the pressure out of the top line and therefore the thumb brake.

The way the junction valve seems to work is it separates the pressure zones between the top and rear line so you can get some different pressure between the two.
I tested it out on the dyno this week and it felt pretty good as far as the amount of pressure between the two different levers and what i intend to use them for.

id certainly like to try one for fun :) otherwise even just getting a quick look so i can dimension it up and then make my own, then find a MC and its all good
The Brembo Master Cylinders are quite cheap for this setup and easy to buy as well Carl. About $40 i believe from a number of sites. Demon Tweeks and SESraceproducts are two of them.

[chubb]

id certainly like to try one for fun :) otherwise even just getting a quick look so i can dimension it up and then make my own, then find a MC and its all good

Come on young one. Use your foot!!

[Carl-52]

i do i do!!! just when your lent over with your uber long knees scraping the ground and the tank its hard to keep my foot near the brake, i have to rotate it outward :D or when i need the stabilisers out it would be fun to be able to thumb brake the rear :D

[Mstevo]

This is kind of why i went for the dual setup Mark. My thinking is to continue using the footbrake as i'm used to for quick braking and then use the thumb brake for mid corner settling so i'm adding a skill slowly rather than changing what i know.

I never used my rear brake, it caused me to much trouble! so I'm just ahead of you with my thumb brake skill level ;-)

[Nelso]

lol i might do ;)

Can you organise to get it out here if I buy it?

[Carl-52]

probably nelso, probably, i can ask a few mates and they will most likely be happy to send it out

[Carl-52]

looks like itll sky rocket in price tho with people bidding on it

[Negrogrande]

just found this http://www.hardracing.com/GP%20Tech/Thumbrake.htm
whish I had found that before I bought the junction valve and brake line.
will have to be for the next bike the Suzi is cursed

[Kris]

just found this http://www.hardracing.com/GP%20Tech/Thumbrake.htm
whish I had found that before I bought the junction valve and brake line.
will have to be for the next bike the Suzi is cursed

Hi Guys

Ive got a Brembo GP thumb brake but my setup is a little different in that ive got the GP Foot brake MC too and a pressure sensor for the APX. Seems I need a junction but most ive seen rely on a different MC for use.

Any thoughts on how/if I can get my foot setup t work with the Brembo GP Thumb?

Some pics

Foot GP MC
1928

Thumb

1929

[Marshy]

Me wanteeeeee. That's sooooo pretty!!

Buy the junction valve from GP Tech? Seems the way to go: http://www.gptechllc.com/products/gp-tech/thumbrakes

[Kris]

Yep, but it appears to not work with my foot GP MC, this is the issue... not sure if it would work with a triple banjo (Foot, Thumb & Pressure sensor)