Those d*mn Pedicabs!

Can be done Mechanically, side cars have been around for donkey years, I think long before the Philippines got their hands on them

bmwmotorcycletech.info/sidecartech.htm

Sidecar brakes come in four different configurations, plumbed to the front, plumbed or mechanically tied to the rear, through a second pedal next to the rear brake pedal and none (not recommended on the street).
I've seen plumbed to the front systems - mostly on Goldwing motorcycles. With these systems, applying the front brake also applies the sidecar brake. I personally don't like the system because you don't have as much control as you would with some of the other configurations.
My Harley-Davidson has a plumbed to the rear system and the sidecar brake is applied when I press on the rear brake pedal. I like the system a lot because with the system, I can come to a perfectly straight stop - even during a panic stop situation. It's easy - as I apply the front brake I keep the bike straight by varying my rear (and sidecar) brake pedal pressure.
The second sidecar pedal is probably the most controllable sidecar brake system. With this system, you have the ability to apply only the sidecar brake during right hand turns which is something you can't do with any other arrangement. You can also vary your sidecar to rear brake pressure by rolling your foot between the two pedals. And of course you can still use both the rear and sidecar brakes together just like I do with my Harley.
No sidecar brake? Just go find a cliff to jump off and save someone else the trouble of running over you and your bike. The same goes for the decision to not connect the sidecar brake. Sidecars without brakes belong on circle tracks.

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These two views show the two brake pedals. What can not be put easily into the photo is how they are arranged, including the underside of the top pedal (100% sidecar brake pedal), so that the braking is proportional and balanced. It is all done mechanically, very simply, and works wonderfully. The hack-only brake pedal was a BMW pedal, that I modified, by cutting off the short leg from the left side, and heli-arcing it to the right side! The bushings, etc., are home-made. A jury-rigged return spring should probably be replaced with a nicer one...you can't see it in this photo very well. The UNDERSIDE of the upper brake pedal has a smooth ramp (shaped rib), and is so arranged that excessive force on that pedal will NOT increase braking effort.


When the normal rear brake pedal is used, it acts normally on the tug; and, it puts SOME, but not too much, pressure on the sidecar brake. If you use your foot on JUST the sidecar brake, you can get as much brake on just the sidecar as you would want...and then some. It is possible to use one's boot on both pedals at the same time. This system is VERY simple, VERY effective, VERY reliable. It was done this way on purpose...I wanted it SIMPLE, EASY to maintain, and I wanted a separate sidecar brake pedal, for slow and very sharp right slow turns. I wanted the brakes to allow panic stopping in a relatively straight line.
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So meaning that there are no Workshops around Dumaguete/Zamboanguita that are 'capable' of performing such a task or that you just do not know of anyone who could perform this task?

I really feel it is ESSENTIAL to have a 'Balanced Braking System' as Asawa to be rides a Scooter now, but is finding it hard to drive the Tricycle, her 2x Bro's drive Tricycles in Dumaguete, so for them they say it is fine, she has not driven one before and finds that it keeps turning on her. She is going to apply for her Licence this week under my insistence so that she can practice for when I am there, I am still deciding as to whether I will buy a Helmet while I am a Passenger, or a Blind Fold, or BOTH! :D lol

 

I just do not know who to send you to, it's not rocket science. I do all my own work, but no longer do mechanical work for others.

Just buy a full face helmet and wear it backwards, no blindfold required!

Larry

 

As per my other post it can be done easily by cables rods and levers, the good old way worked fine with side cars and dual brake pedals, so you the driver can make the necessary adjustment with his or her foot as you do with the front and rear brakes on any bike, or if you go with hydraulics then you can use a limiting valve so don’t matter what size your wheel is, but as the weight/ load would change it would be impossible to have the braking perfect . View attachment 9633 View attachment 9634

 

Interesting Brian so the set up uses two Brake Pedals?

 

yes, basic setup, have a look around on the net, under motorcycle side car brakes, I just fitted a duel foot brake control to my Toyota so I can teach my asawa to drive safely, all second parts works really good, with a second hand wheel hub assembly maybe an old clutch cable out of a Suzuki like I did would be good as it is reasonably strong, a bit of leverage knowledge and you will have a very good system, many reasonably good welders here.
which is your bum leg left or right?

 

There is a friend of a friend in Bacolod who has a pedicab, his r/h leg is bum, he uses a big handbrake lever for rear braking, he had the trike made in Cebu I think

 

The whole purpose I thought was safety. A mechanical system of this description is going to be somewhat tricky to operate and keep properly adjusted. Theoretically you should have equal braking on both wheels. Even tractors no longer use mechanical steering brakes. Properly designed a hydraulic system would be far superior in this application because it will give equal braking under any circumstances.

In an emergency situation, you don't have time to worry about balancing braking power. Lock up one wheel? Right back where you started to begin with, unsafe.

"impossible to have the braking perfect". Yes, I would say so.

Larry

 

We are not looking for equal braking, loads change, sometimes empty then the wheel will skid sometimes heavily loaded then the trike braking is inadequate, car braking is not equal nor is motor cycle braking, eg. Car bias is 70:30 to 60:40 where as motor bikes are around 70 to 100% on the front.
Also different cornering will have different braking needs better handled by the operator .
Some vehicles are fitted with limiting valves on the rear brakes if the rear of the vehicle lifts under heavy braking.
Then we have ABS but we are not trying to design a technological trike .we are trying to keep the cost down and be safer than a trike without a brake.
They used the system I am talking about for donkeys years in many countries with side cars it can be easily adapted to these padicabs.

When riding a motor bike we juggle the front and rear brakes even in an emergency situation same goes for the trike one would grab a handful of front and juggle the 2 other brakes with an ankle twist without removing your foot, once familiar with the brakes your trike would be a safe unit to drive.
The adjustment would be a simple quick adjustment of both the rear and the trike wheel, and maybe an occasional adjustment of the said cable or linkage.
(because it will give equal braking under any circumstances). Unless designed with ABS this statement is very wrong

BTW the following dropped down once the pics were inserted, so you have used it out of context but as the weight/ load would change it would be "impossible to have the braking perfect".

 

I had a locally built pedicab sitting in my yard this morning for some welding, and out of curiosity took my bath scale out to see what weight was on which wheels.

Rear wheel motorcycle 142 pounds
Third wheel pedicab 201 pounds.

Empty.

Add a driver to the trike unit and both wheels would be very close to equal weight.

Added load to the pedicab would not go to the third wheel, it would go to BOTH wheels, distributed somewhat by the person doing the loading. Of course, just a little common sense in loading may be required, if you put a 300 pound foreigner on the outside it is definitely going to have an adverse effect.

Equal braking to both rear wheels would result in a near perfect straight stop.

The last production vehicle made in the US with mechanical drum brakes was 1939. There were some very valid reasons for that. Most ALL vehicles made since the 80s have disk brakes. There are some very valid reasons for that as well.

You are welcome to your opinion that two mechanical pedals operating separate drum brakes would be great. Personally I think it would be an accident looking for a place to happen.

And I will continue to believe that a properly designed Hydraulic disk system would be FAR superior.

Larry