A forum for owners of Yamaha TTR250 trail and enduro bikes!

Hi,

  Has anyone installed a hand/lever operated rear brake on their TTR.  I am planning to install one on my TTR250.  I ride in extremely difficult and steep terrain while carrying a chainsaw on my back in a backpack.  I often need both feet to stay upright and relying on the front brake to stop me from sliding downhill can be a real pain........literally!!  i know there are several different  models out there, including one which disengages the clutch as the brake is applied.  Also one which is linked in with the foot pedal operation of the rear brake hydraulics.  I am looking for a very simple system. It would seem totallyttrs doesn't stock them.

Appreciate any comments.

The Clake one light clutch is the one that disengages the clutch

you have to upgrade the whole system on the TTR

a new hydraulic clutch lever, reservoir, slave cylinder etc...  it's a pretty expensive way to go

I'd love to see the setup

why don't you carry your chain saw this way to be safe

A really interesting question Noel!

I recollect my late friend Olly having fitted a LHRB on his handlebars but can't recall if it was hydraulic or cable.

Looking at the different options on offer (Rekluse, Clake and Ox-Brake) the Ox-Brake might be the most viable/affordable as it uses a cable. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMV4UFU8TAw Might be possible to adopt a DIY approach to this solution.

Regarding the clutch, I think your best approach would be to use a Rekluse automatic clutch as campaigned by PeteNZ - see http://ttr250.activeboard.com/t54323204/ttr-with-a-rekluse-exp-clutch/

I hope this will start a discussion that leads to you trying out one of the suggested solutions such that we can all learn from your efforts 

Brian

Thanks everyone for all your input. I have already checked out the various systems mentioned.  I certainly want the option of being able to have both feet on the ground and slipping the clutch while braking the rear wheel.  I would prefer to use a lever on the RHS and not linking it up with the hydraulic clutch mechanism.  The bike is not used in any competition but simply to get me around really difficult and steep country with heavily overgrown vegetation.  The best option might be to add a T junction piece to the foot-operated rear brake hydraulics line and connect a second line to it which runs through to a second lever..............or am I missing something here?  Does anyone know if such a kit is available?  My own searches on the net have been fruitless except for one designed for people with a disability which was very expensive.  I would have thought my preference would be much cheaper than all the systems out there now!  My Yammie dealer agrees it wouldn't be hard to install one on RHS.  If necessary I could make one up myself I suppose.

Also any further input on the best way to go about this would be appreciated. There is no rush as I expect it will be several weeks or so before I can get to this job.

BM Steve,  I forgot to mention how impressed I was with your chainsaw carrier - even colour-coordinated!! . It certainly looks safer than my arrangement where I simply carry the saw with its bar protector, in a heavy duty backpack.  There is an increased chance of my overbalancing with my backpack (happened once because of a sliding rear wheel) but I am more risk conscious now and when I need to I can get off bike and have both hands free to climb over logs, go up rocky slopes etc. I also carry fuel, and tools etc in backpack.

And, yes, 70 last year!

Noel

70 and still out riding trails Inspiring stuff.

I run a rekluse auto clutch and LHRB on my WR250F.

Its a bit like cheating, especially on hill climbs. You can stop on the steepest hill beside someone who's stuck, ask them if they're ok and then ride straight up.
You hold the bike on the LHRB apply throttle slowly until you begin to feel drive and let the brake off. Just don't tell anyone about the rekluse, it gives the appearance that you can ride really well ;
I still run the clutch lever set the lever lower under the LHRB, beacuse I use the brake all the time.

LHRB is awesome for brake sliding around trees and tight stuff. Like a mountain bike but then you get on the throttle.
Also great for steep downhills when your body is back over the rear of the mudguard. You retain better feel and brake control with your hand and your feet aren't reaching for the lever because of the change in angle to your boots and the lever. And you can put your foot down for both right and left hand turn skids.

Note that the rekluse LHRB isn't super strong. Will lock the back wheel on turns and on loose surfaces but probably not otherwise.

I have retained (optional) my foot brake and only use it for full on Oh My God type moments.

Allow a few rides to retrain the brain and then its a great system IMO.
I cant see it working without an auto clutch though. Unless you get a Clake and they are not cheap. And Big. And complicated.

I don't know if Rekluse do a clutch for the TTR but believe a WR250F one will fit with some minor fiddling. The LHRB is generic.