Brakes for homebuild

[Cotmullion]

I've built a homemade minibike which is, or was, clutchless, but I have been recently converting it to clutched. The reason I had no brakes before was because with a clutchless setup, you stop the engine and you stop, due to compression. But now, or when the clutch comes in the post, I won't stop so quickly.
Now, I want a brake which preferbly dosen't attach to the shaft. What is a scrub brake? Is it just a U.S term for a regular bike brake system? Any Ideas welcome.

 

[dpaxson]

well compression braking will still work with a clutch until the engine hits the speed where the clutch disengages. a scrub brake is just a plate that rubs on the rear tire.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

A scrub brake is what it sounds like, a foot operated pedal that makes a plate "scrub' the rear tire. Simple as dirt and the braking system cant be broken but it wears out tires.

Then there are band brakes which is a friction band around a drum

And drum brakes where internally expanding shoes rub on a drum, generally sold as part of a complete minibike rear end.

disc brakes are the best a disc that is pinched by a caliper operated by a cable/rod or hydraulically.

In order of stoping ability (read backwards for cost) Hydro dis>mech disc>drum>band>scrub>feet

 

[Cotmullion]

Do scrub brakes work?

 

[jr dragster T]

Sure they work great it just kills the tire. Infact I bet you could even lock up the tire will scrub brakes.

 

[Cotmullion]

Any traditional designs or setups?

 

[Cotmullion]

Will a handbrake lever mechanism work?

 

[jr dragster T]

Not as good as your foot

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

If your running a scrub brake use a pedal like on a real motorcycle. Look at one of those razor scooter things, it has scrub brakes.

 

[Cotmullion]

Not as good as your foot

Don't worry. I've made the brake handlebar operated now, so it uses a bicycle brake lever as it. I still have alot to do, like make the brake travel less on the lever and but some rubber on the brake pad. Also it needs a spring on the brake bad mechanism to assist the lever spring. Heres some pictures I've just taken:

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Put it closer to the wheel, rubber on the brake wont work, just run it bare metal.

 

[Cotmullion]

Put it closer to the wheel, rubber on the brake wont work, just run it bare metal.

What do you mean closer? Also, why won't rubber work on the brake pad? Is it because the brake won't slow the wheel but stop it dead?

 

[Russ2251]

Point of contact is incorrect. Should go with rotation... not against it.
Pivot point should be at bottom and not top.

 

[Cotmullion]

Point of contact is incorrect. Should go with rotation... not against it.

It does go with rotation. In the picture, the wheel spins anti-clockwise when going foward.

 

[Russ2251]

It does go with rotation. In the picture, the wheel spins anti-clockwise when going foward.

Cool, I see.

 

[Russ2251]

Put it closer to the wheel, rubber on the brake wont work, just run it bare metal.

I agree with Mr. McCormic. In the old days all scrub brakes were bare metal. No lining.
Chances are lining will just come off with first application.

 

[Cotmullion]

I agree with Mr. McCormic. In the old days all scrub brakes were bare metal. No lining.
Chances are lining will just come off with first application.

So I should keep it bare metal then?

 

[Russ2251]

So I should keep it bare metal then?

If it were mine? Yes I would.

 

[MonroeMike]

A section of a leaf spring off a vehicle is a good piece of metal to use for a scrub brake. It already has a curve to it...

 

[Cotmullion]

If this brake dosen't work, I'll probably take it off. Where some old minibikes sold with no brakes and a clutch, and also, do front brakes (only) work?