reverse /parking brake query

[johngee]

on my goldwing trike a previous owner has fitted a caravan motor mover to the left hand rear now although this works very well as a reverse can i also use it as a parking bake for the mot as it only has to operate on one rear wheel ,you can not move the tike when it is engaged and also there is no provision for a handbrake on the axle

[Kawazuki]

Unless it uses purely mechanical operation it doesn't qualify as a hand / emergency brake.

[johngee]

ok thank you for your thoughts so why does an electric handbrake qualify as that is both electric and mechanical as is the motor mover and surely it is a parking brake not emergency

[Deep Diver]

What axle is fitted, most unusual to not have a parking brake

[johngee]

the trike is an american import and was converted in texas i have tried to do some research and i know the axle is ford mustang ,i have had the drums off and it seems that the handbrake items have been removed a for whatever reason i have searched but cannot find any parts for it it seems that in the usa a parking brake is not mantatory on a trike

[Deep Diver]

You should be able to get the parts required if you have the axle info.

[johngee]

i know they have the parts in the usa and they now do the complete brake assembly but at $465 plus import duty and postage i would rather find another way i will have a word with the mot tester and see what he thinks

[Kawazuki]

ok thank you for your thoughts so why does an electric handbrake qualify as that is both electric and mechanical as is the motor mover and surely it is a parking brake not emergency

Because although electricity enables the operation, the actual braking is all mechanical. Most will apply brake if engine off or car door opened. Cars fitted as such are type approved so system usually not approved on alternative vehicles!

[lepchaun]

iv seen a few import g/w1500 without hand brake they use the reverse gear how they get it past a mot i dont know as i had a hand brake on both wheels on my 1500gw

[johngee]

as i said my trike was converted in 1988 and the axle used is a 1985 ford mustang gt i dont know why they would remove the handbrake parts ,but it has given me a problem if others have passed using the reverse i hope mine will as it is electricly engaged but held in place mechanicly i will post how i get on mot wise ,a couple of small jobs and we will see