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hand brake out of reach?

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:17 pm
by Peter Roberts
Just fitted 3 point belts. when adjusted i cannot reach the hand brake which was not a problem with the lap belts.
i could slacken off the adjustment and not put it all the way in but do not fancy that and i would have to play around with the warning light.
Can you get an extension piece that clips on the top of existing to extend it a few inches?

Re: hand brake out of reach?

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:22 pm
by KS
Why not fit inertia reel belts?

Re: hand brake out of reach?

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:45 pm
by Mike Smith
I do not use the Handbrake often enough for it to be a problem

Just slip the diagonal off while you are waiting at a set of lights on a hill (one place in Billericay)

Re: hand brake out of reach?

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 10:18 pm
by Lightweight_911
I fitted 4-point harnesses in my (modified) 356C & when 'strapped in' I couldn't reach the handbrake to apply/release it so never bothered using it - apart from when parked.

Same situation applies in my '59 Giulietta Sprint which also has an 'umbrella' handbrake lever ...

Re: hand brake out of reach?

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 10:32 pm
by Peter Roberts
Did not use inertia belts as i wanted to use the standard fitting points so had some normal belts made in red to suit interior.
Taking them off all the time as i do now is a bit of a pain.
I have access to engineering facilities so i will probably make one.
Thanks for your input

Re: hand brake out of reach?

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 7:36 am
by Mike Smith
Sorry - I missed the fact that they are 4-Point bit

With 3-point, you jut slip your arm, as and when

Re: hand brake out of reach?

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 7:57 am
by Lightweight_911
.
Sorry, it was me that confused the situation by mentioning 4-point harnesses - Peter has installed 3-point static belts ...

Re: hand brake out of reach?

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 4:00 pm
by Peter Roberts
Had a nose around and the job looks easy. The hexagonal hand brake shaft is turned down on the top to 10mm diam and the handle is pined to the 10mm part of the shaft.
I have ordered a short length of 10mm bore tube and a length of 10mm stainless steel bar from ebay for around a fiver.
if you slip the bar into the tube and weld together cut to the appropriate length it can be drilled and pinned to suit the shaft and the handle.
It may be non standard but can easily be removed if required.
For such a simple job its worth saving the hassle of slipping out of the belt and who wants to slip out of the belt going down hill with the brakes failed trying to reach the handbrake!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: hand brake out of reach?

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 9:06 pm
by Ignatzcatz
Or, you could just fit a 911 handbrake onto the floor. Mine is an early 911 unit with VW type 1 handbrake cables that I can reach easily fully belted in my full harness. The last umbrella handbrake I had was in an old Ford Pop and I'm certainly not going back to that old weapon again.

Re: hand brake out of reach?

Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2019 11:13 pm
by POR68
Nice point Peter. I find that I can just reach the handbrake when seated and belted. At stop signs on hills it can be a minor problem.