hand brake law

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UGLYMICK
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hand brake law

Post by UGLYMICK »

does anyone know the law on hand brakes, can i have a hand brake on only one wheel of the rear axle if it a class c
ive looked on the internet and cant find anything
Skidmark
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Post by Skidmark »

Hope this helps,
3. Check that every motorcycle tricycle or motorcycle quadricycle is equipped with either;
a) two independent service braking devices fitted, one acting on the front axle/one acting on the rear axle which together operate the brakes on all the wheels
or
b) a single line service braking device that operates the brakes on all wheels
and
c) a secondary (emergency) braking device ( that may be the parking brake)
or
d) a dual/tandem service braking device which operates the brakes on all wheels
and in addition to any of the above
e) a parking brake device that operates on the wheels of at least one axle
Acceptable combinations are: a) & e) or b),c) & e) or d) & e)

Section 16 of Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval Manual
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Willgofar
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Post by Willgofar »

you only need to brake one wheel for the mot. if you have a twin brake system

BUT for the vosa test all wheels on the same axle must brake.

if you have linked brakes, you must be able to reach the handbrake whilst seated on the trike and the all brake rule on the axle applies (emergency brake)
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ratwing
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Post by ratwing »

My opinion FWIW is regardless of what the differing MSVA/MOT/Construction & Use regs say, its common sense to have a decent handbrake thats within easy reach and works on both back wheels - you never know when you might need it! Its not usually that much more effort than making it work on just one back wheel either.
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Crazy_C
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Post by Crazy_C »

It does state one axle. There is a single wheel on the front axle. I've got a mate who built a trike and used a car rear calliper on the front disc and had the front wheel as the handbrake and that passed MOT fine as far as I know (he's taxed it twice since he did that handbrake set up so I'd guess it's been MOT'd like that)
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3guitararmy
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Re: hand brake law

Post by 3guitararmy »

Does anyone know if a trike handbrake can be hydraulic or must it be mechanical ie cable operated as l have bought a nice trike but it has no handbrake fitted,any help appreciated guys.thanks
Kawazuki
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Re: hand brake law

Post by Kawazuki »

3guitararmy wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:32 am Does anyone know if a trike handbrake can be hydraulic or must it be mechanical ie cable operated as l have bought a nice trike but it has no handbrake fitted,any help appreciated guys.thanks
ALL handbrakes MUST be mechanical - trike, car, etc. You can't have a lever to push / pull a rod or cable to operate a hydraulic cylinder - it all must be mechanical. Download a copy of the Class 3 MSVA document - all info will be in there, as I assume you will also need a test unless this is a bolt-on conversion?
Andy from Sandy
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Re: hand brake law

Post by Andy from Sandy »

Is there really a class c?

There is though I think a difference between the MSVA test and the class 3 test for a motorcycle conversion.

For the latter it only requires the handbrake to operate on one wheel or the tester where my partner goes is doing it wrong!

I was sceptical as to whether on a slope the trike would move but it doesn't with just the one wheel braked.

I wonder if being pedantic "a parking brake device that operates on the wheels of at least one axle" is with IRS rear the trike has in effect 3 axles or 1 axle at the front and 2 stub axles, drive shafts at the back?
Kawazuki
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Re: hand brake law

Post by Kawazuki »

Not sure where the 'class C' came from but this is a very old thread! Only numbers now - 1 through 7 I believe.

Cut & Paste from the MSVA manual . . . . .
4. Check that every other tricycle or quadricycle is equipped with;
a) a foot controlled service brake device, that operates on all wheels
b) a secondary (emergency) brake device (that may be the parking
brake), and
c) a parking brake device, that operates on the wheels of at least one
axle


5. Check that the service brake system or systems are capable of being
operated from the riding or driving position whilst keeping both hands on the
steering control.

6. Check (where applicable) that the secondary braking system;
a) operates progressively
b) is able to be applied from the driving position while keeping one hand
on the steering control

7. Check (where applicable) that the parking brake system;
a) is able to be applied from the driving position
b) uses a control that is operated independently from any service brake
and can be positively locked on
c) is able to be held in the “on” position by purely mechanical means
BUT interestingly the MOT testers handbook requirements for class 3 - ONLY requires 1 wheel to be locked by the 'parking brake'

So you can't get legally on the road without the MSVA requirement but thereafter at MOT time only one wheel working is required - Daft!

And IMHO a IRS is classed as a single axle - the hubs are not independent having a single drive input so classed as linked and therefore a single unit.
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