Vinman1 Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 The handle looks great. Sorry the shipping abuse happened. I believe the plastic part is available from Moss and others. I reached out to Mike and have not heard back yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 (edited) If the grip fails later, it can be recast in urethane or epoxy resin if you keep the pieces for a mold. Easier than bakelite (phenol/formaldehyde/acids in a pressure pot). Same goes for rubber bits and lenses but the chems are fairly expensive. 3D print and wood are also options. Edited November 27, 2023 by MV8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 I did measure and make a CAD model of the handle for any possible future need. I didn’t think to check out Moss, I’ll do that today - thank you! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 Moss part #582-655 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 Looks about right! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted December 26, 2023 Share Posted December 26, 2023 I recently found a Caterham Handbrake Lever for sale in the UK, it looked authentic so I bought it and had it shipped to California. It does appear to be an original lever, but I believe the bend is in the wrong direction. I suppose this could have been for a LHD Caterham. I didn't even consider that possibility! How easy might it be to reverse the bend so it works on my RHD car? I have the Brotherwood Lever which fits and seems like it would work, although it is straight and might need a little bend too, or should I try to make the 'real' one fit? An unexpected curve-ball to be sure! Ian SoCal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted December 26, 2023 Share Posted December 26, 2023 Both can be bent successfully. Reversing takes a few more steps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted December 28, 2023 Author Share Posted December 28, 2023 The Bend is correct for a RHD car. See pic from Tony Weale's book. If you don't use it, I would like to buy it! Vin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted December 29, 2023 Share Posted December 29, 2023 For some reason I thought it was bent downwards! I’ll do a test fit tomorrow. Ian SoCal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Petty Posted December 29, 2023 Share Posted December 29, 2023 Lotus are like Bear Claws, "No 2 are alike"! Your handbrake curve dilemma got me thinking, so I went out and looked at mine. My car was raced and the handbrake was removed, but I believe the one that came with the car and parts was original and seems to fit well except the cable was missing. I got a long clutch cable from a local Harley builder and it does the job well. My handle is straight and gets close to the shift lever in 1st and 3rd, but clears the lever and the tunnel. I notice in the picture above that there is no space between the top of the tunnel and the cross bar the brake mechanism mounts to. My car has a replacement tunnel and this provides almost 2" clearance which allows for a straight brake handle. I checked the original tunnel and it has a little less clearance, but still enough. My car has the "integral remote" shifter, so it is not very tall compared to the Elan style "Triumph extension" shifter which may have required additional tunnel height. Also, I have a Universal Radiator chassis, so not sure who may have done the original aluminum skin. Good Luck and Happy New Year! Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted December 30, 2023 Share Posted December 30, 2023 You make some really good points! I especially like Bear Claws, my Saturday morning breakfast of choice, and they all different 😋😜. Sorry, couldn’t resist! I guess this it what you get when the cars are all hand built and with a variety of spec’s. Mine was originally a BMC powered car, but the 105E was fitted in ‘64 or ‘65, it too has the Triumph shifter extension. My tunnel seems to have been made to run with the front part open, the edges are nicely rolled, but a Fwd cover was supplied although I’m not sure how exactly it will fit. I guess I’ll keep both until I get to a more complete assembly stage; one of them will fit! Thanks, Ian SoCal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 (edited) Quick update of the Handbrake saga. The Caterham lever seems to fit perfectly. I just bolted it up finger tight but it fits like it was made to go there, and the ratchet and release mechanism works well. Now it’ll just come down to finding a cable, but that’ll be a couple of years down the road. Ian Edited January 22 by ianashdown 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Ian, Nice find on that handle from the UK. I take it the other one will work if bent? Let me know if you want to sell it? Enjoy the build! Vin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 The other one from Mike Brotherwood does also fit perfectly. I actually like the straight levers appearance better, but I’m not sure how it would work unbent. I assume it can be bent fairly easily. I had a plan to keep both until final build, but if you are hurting for a lever I’d be OK letting it go. The price for this was not inexpensive however, I’m in to it for $463. It that can work for you, then great! If not, plan A lives on. All the best, Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Ian, I have one on loan from a friend's 64 Seven. I am going to copy it, hopefully make several if it goes well. I have some time, as I don't need really need it, until I make the trip to drive the Tail of the Dragon in NC later this year... Cheers, V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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