Nitro Madness AA/FA

[Solid Rock]

Rapid, A couple of concerns about modifying the brake handle.
I couldn't get my aluminum brake handle to bend. I guess if I heated it I might have been able to, but I didn't want to chance taking the temper out of the aluminum.
You also mention making the handle longer. Keep in mind that you will then have more leverage and that could possibly, although remotely, cause you to put too much pressure into the M/C. They say not to exceed 1200 lbs pressure as the seals could give way in the M/C. I can now get about 1200 lbs on mine if I really lean on it.
Another thing to keep in mind about a longer brake handle is that you have a longer stroke with the longer handle and you may not have enough room to reach the lever and apply the needed pressure.
When you are strapped in your arm movement is limited and most of the cars I have checked have about 2-3 inches stroke at the end of the handle.
I strongly suggest you get fully suited up and strapped in to make sure you can reach all the controls before you take everything apart.
Using a hand brake will probably take a little getting used to, especially at the turn offs, as some tracks have a pretty tight turn off and negotiating them with one hand on the brake will take a bit of getting used to.

Is that puke tank going to be big enough if you shoud happen to hurt something in the motor?

[SLICK VIC]

Looking good Randy,
that purple kinda reminds me of a guy in a brown
top hat with a velvet purple jacket on,...and
...oh yea its Wille Wonka and his
chocalate nitro cup cake factory.

[Rapid Randy Baker]

Rocky, like always you bring up some good points and ideas. I think the handle is a bit too short for an easy grab. I think the murf brake handle is around 25" long. Right now with the bends this one has it is only around 22.5 or so. We put ours in the vice, using it like a brake. Then took a block of wood, and bent it with a small hammer. I inspected it after bending as I was concerned about any cracking at the bends. It showed no evidence of that at all. I didn't use heat, I think that would soften the aluminum and make it useless.

Whenever I get in the car to fit something, I use my gear. Things change so much for street clothes to race suit. I agree on steering around the shut off roads. It will be different than what I have been used to.

Rock, what do you think of angling the handle at the top so it is bent towards the steering wheel? That way my hand can slid from the brake to the wheel. It also lets the handle itself be closer to the frame rail and out of the way of your leg.

Rapid

[jim sanders]

i like the fact the new car has body hinges

[Solid Rock]

Rapid, I tried bending the brake handle on my car like that but it just wouldn't bend, so I gave up on trying to bend it before I broke it. Usually I'll keep going on something like that till I do break it. LOL
I'm not sure just what kind of aluminum it is but it was one of the original wheelie bars on the car. You know, waste not, want not,..LOL

As far as bending the brake handle towards the steering wheel, I have seen a lot of cars like that. My concern would be getting it too close and not being able to get my leg in and out easily.

The brake handle I originally had in the car was made of CM tubing and was bent slightly as you described.
Gotta go,..more to follow

[Novel-T]

May I put in my 2 cents worth?Well,here goes anyway.My altered has a push to brake set up,the handle bends a bit towards the steering wheel.I like this a lot.The funny car I drove was a pull to brake.I found this harder to to use.I was out of gear in both cars to turn off the track

[Rapid Randy Baker]

Thanks NovelT, I have read a number of things about pushing vs pulling on the brake. I haven't ever had a hand brake, so it will be a new deal. I thought I had a good idea on angling the brake handle, should have known it had been done already.

[jim sanders]

MY OLD HEAP WAS A PULL to brake..... but i never went fast so..

[Rapid Randy Baker]

So is mine Doc,,,Pull to stop.

[jim sanders]

I remember the discussions at the shop about the best way to use a hand brake pullVpush.... when we were helping that Jim Knight dude finish his car.... to me i thought it was natural to want to pull to slow down.. others said after the chute(s) hit and you had negative Gforces it was best to push for braking.... ratios/pressures aside and we were talking about rear discs only.....