Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Yes I know a well adjusted and maybe retored rear caliper should mean a decently performing handbrake but let's face it the current arrangement is a bit of a pain.

There are a lot of ordinary cycles that are now fitted with hydraulic brakes without even going into the kit that must be available for some of the high performance motorcycles. Surely there must be a system that is easily adaptable and that could be fitted to Elans to do away with the standard irksome system.

Your thoughts please?

Hi elanfan1,

Although it never got off the ground, I did look at custom car propshaft handbrakes, also there are various line lock levers that'll do a similar job, maybe using a small rear caliper from a motorbike. Burtons and other rally suppliers do a hydraulic handbrake - then you've got the mounting problems.

Not much help, but other avenues of research if you've not already looked.

In the end I went for standard H/brake.

Paul

You a mechanical handbrake to pass the MOT.

A properly adjusted Elan handbrake works just fine.

I have looked at alternative calliper options for the Elan. There are some available with mechanical handbrake linkages built in. I have yet to fully investigate mounting and linkage options; you have to ensure that there is sufficient mechanical advantage in the linkage to ensure enough pressure can be applied to the pads. I find the problem with the rear callipers is that they have been rebuild so many times now that their bearing surfaces are worn out and the pads fit too loosely.

A std mechanical handbrake may pass the MOT, but its all wrong for Solo's and Auto tests. Something that I have an interest in - currently using a mini to good effect, but would like to try the Elan next year.

If anyone has done anything with a hydraulic handbrake, I too would be interested.

I have just stumbled onto this very old thread.

A hydraulic handbrake can be simply fitted into the rear brake pipe as it passes down the chassis.

If your Lotus was first used prior to Jan 1 1968 then this can be your only handbrake. After that date you need to retain the original mechanical one and just make sure it works for one day a year