Lever Actuated Coaster Brake?

UncleKudzu · #1 08-09-2008, 07:57 PM

would it be possible to use a coaster brake as a hand brake? could a coaster brake be used on the front wheel? if so what would be involved?

i'm thinking about repacking the rear hub of my bike while i'm waiting on the engine, and i started wondering if the sprocket were removed if a rear hub might not work for a sturdy front hub. then i thought about that brake in there...

gadgetman80 · #2 08-09-2008, 07:59 PM

WOW, did that ever get some gears turnin in my head!!

deacon · #3 08-09-2008, 08:01 PM

wouldn't you have to leave the sprocket on the wheel and use the lever to pull it backwards and lock it down. Isnt that what happens when you back pedal.

gadgetman80 · #4 08-09-2008, 08:08 PM

Try to follow my thinking....may be hard for some:

drill a small hole in the sprocket and fasten a screw to hold the chain.........

attach a small length of chain in a fashion that could be hooked to a cable...

spring load the reverse side so as to release the brake...........

I think the rest can be figured out

gadgetman80 · #5 08-09-2008, 08:09 PM

Sometimes I have a hard time following my own thinking

UncleKudzu · #6 08-09-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deacon

wouldn't you have to leave the sprocket on the wheel and use the lever to pull it backwards and lock it down. Isnt that what happens when you back pedal.

i don't really know what happens inside the hub, so i was wondering if a little arm with a return spring or something might replace the cog altogether?

UncleKudzu · #7 08-09-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gadgetman80

WOW, did that ever get some gears turnin in my head!!

yeah, me too! but it's probably such a good idea that there's simple a reason why it wouldn't work

Large Filipino · #8 08-09-2008, 08:26 PM

Mount the coaster to the forks. Get a bike chain,wrap it around the sprocket to a free sprocket welded to your handlebar. Alignment is critical so you need to strengthen your gooseneck so your handlebar won't loosen left or right. Weld a (you all seen this before) "safety lever" used in old school ten speeds with the curled handlebars that connect to your brakes so you can activate it from the top of the handlebar. Weld it to the free sprocket so it sits above your handlebar. To activate,push it down.
Man,this may be an answer to all them Schwinn chopper bikes with no provisions for brakes up front.

For the Schwinn chopper bikes maybe just a simple foot control directly off the sprocket.

Radmanfly · #9 08-10-2008, 08:15 PM

I once considered replacing the bendix arm with a brake disc and welding a gear onto the spoke hub so that I could convert the friction hub to a clutch. The original gear would be chain driven backwards from the motor and the disc free to rotate until I wanted the hub to turn. By applying the brake to stop the now rotating bendix arm (brake disc) it will stop and the hub will go.

Radmanfly · #10 08-10-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleKudzu

i don't really know what happens inside the hub, so i was wondering if a little arm with a return spring or something might replace the cog altogether?

Inside the hub are two wedges. When the gear rotates backwards, it forces the wedge shaped halves lock into a stationery cone (attached to the brake arm which is clamped to the frame) and forces them apart. They then pry out against the cylinder inside the hub and slow it down. The metal appears to be graphite impregnated so it will not squeal and will absorb some heat, and not be metal on metal. At least thats how I remember the one I took apart 30 years ago. Wish I could remember my gf's birthday!