Vinman1 Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 Still in need of Handbrake lever for my 79. Any info about what they came off of / mods / and a source is greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 I don't know if you missed this conversation: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 1 hour ago, Vinman1 said: Still in need of Handbrake lever for my 79. Any info about what they came off of / mods / and a source is greatly appreciated! I also am in need of a handbrake lever assembly and have seen all the suggestions as alternatives, but none quite come up to the level of originality that I’m hoping for. However, Mike Brotherwood in the UK apparently has a sporadic and dwindling source of levers that he modifies to be a close replica of the original. They are understandably quite expensive, but as I said to him, “what other choice do I have?” If this is anything like Mikes usual quality/standard I’m sure I will be very happy! I believe he is working on a small ‘batch’ currently, so you might reach out to him. Good Luck, Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 It could be cost effective to repurpose components and make a new body if needed. From scratch is a bit more involved with the gear cutting but still doable for a working if not authentic handbrake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 Mike’s price is not unreasonable at £390 especially considering the work that it takes. I do think some low volume stamping tools could be made, the ‘gears’ could cut by laser or EDM so that wouldn’t be too bad, but with the number of likely sales, ROI is unlikely. Id be happy to assist if anyone really want to take this on. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted October 16, 2023 Author Share Posted October 16, 2023 I am thinking they modified someone elses or made their own. The problem I am finding is with the original type, the sheath moved and the cable is fixed. So when you pull the lever, it pushes the sheathing. I have considered fabbing a bracket to adapt to the stock frame mounts and using the brake levers (I have all three other types posted in this blog), but it would just lower the handle in the footwell, which is in stock form intrusive. I am going to borrow the one from my buds 64 Seven and make one this winter. Will post how it turns out. Will have to make the fitting that pushes on the sheath too, brass should do there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 This lever came with my 7 project; it’s not Lotus 7, probably not MG TD of which there were many parts, but if someone would like to use it as a starting point for modification, I’ll be happy to send it for the cost of postage only. It even has a bend in it . . Although probably in the wrong direction! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 If the cable end clip on the chassis is not used, a typical hand brake could be used with an adapter to attach to the two existing fastener positions. The cable could be rerouted if needed to change which way the handle swings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted October 16, 2023 Author Share Posted October 16, 2023 Idea #1: small cable pulley (to reverse and pull action), mounted to a fabbed bracket with the cable sheath stop further under the tunnel. Idea #2: Fabbed bracket with a cable sheath stop and a tab welded on the handle side of the lever to attach the cable to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted October 16, 2023 Author Share Posted October 16, 2023 Both using only stock holes in frame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 (edited) It would be cleaner and more compact just to use as-is without pulleys. A typical handbrake doesn't need tabs welded on. If you are referring to Ian's handbrake, it is mirrored and could be reassembled with the handle at the top (pivot pin ground out and welded to the other side), cable housing/sheath arm on the bottom, gear flipped on the base, gear stop pin pressed to protrude on the other side, pawl mounted on the opposite side of the arm with the pushrod in the handle rotated 180deg, adapter plate to pickup the four handbrake fasteners and two chassis fasteners, with the fork/tab for the cable end as part of that plate. The plate can have "guide rails" that hug the chassis tube to provide more support than just the two fasteners on the chassis. The handbrake would be offset an inch or so toward the driver to clear the handle and eliminate the need for a bend unless it is the tunnel that is in the way. The whole assembly can be offset left or right as needed if the owner doesn't mind having to drill a hole or two in the tube. Edited October 17, 2023 by MV8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted October 17, 2023 Author Share Posted October 17, 2023 Going to work on it, thank you for the inputs! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted October 18, 2023 Author Share Posted October 18, 2023 Better photo of Handbrake lever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdb Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 On 10/18/2023 at 9:05 AM, Vinman1 said: Better photo of Handbrake lever That looks like the lever in my 1995 Caterham. Can't tell from that picture if the lever arm is curved; mine is, and I would expect them all to be curved to provide more room for legs, knees, shins, etcetera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted October 19, 2023 Author Share Posted October 19, 2023 Per Tony Weales book, They would bend them for those clearance issues. Not sure why the photo from Caterham has them still straight... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 (edited) At a certain camera angle the bend may be imperceptible. It looks like that angle. In this case, that brake looks like it would be a RHD. Edited November 10, 2023 by IamScotticus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 I have one on the way from Mike Brotherwood that he reconstructs from some donor lever. I’ll post some photos once it arrives. Ian SoCal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 Look forward to seeing it. What did he charge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 11 hours ago, Vinman1 said: What did he charge? Message sent. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 (edited) My Handbrake lever from Mike BROTHERWOOD arrived recently, but unfortunately suffered some abuse in transit from the UK. The plastic handle, some 70 years old and a bit brittle, broke into 3 pieces. I’m sure it was just flung around as the package was quite small and light. I ordered some black CA adhesive (superglue) and bonded the parts back together, while trying, not entirely successfully, to not glue my fingers together! The result is not perfect, but by the time I’ve dressed it up a bit, it will be. The lever fits the chassis, and and will give an authentic, if not original, appearance. Slow progress, but progress it is! Ian Edited November 27, 2023 by ianashdown 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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