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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Fly-off Handbrake

Well some time ago I asked people here how to do this and I was referred to an MGB site that had some pictures but no pattern or concrete measurements or even a way to do it. Well I set out to make it happen. The instructions and patters you find hre work for spridgets, (unless there are different tyopes of handbrake levers). In anycase, the priciples are universal and you may need to make your own pattern. But at least you will know how.

http://www.spridgetguru.com/TA0024.html
S.A. Jones

I can't remember your original thread and this might has almost undoubtedly been suggested before (if so, sorry!) but can't you just tape the button down?!

cheers,
Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

little piece of wire with bent over ends does the trick perfectly, there's a place it can be hooked to keep the button pressed down from the back of the lever near the base.
Rob Armstrong

not the same at all; a fly-off allows one to park on a hill. The mods here won't, and are probably not MOT-able either.
David Smith

I also modified my hand brake to fly off operation using the pawl designed for the MGB by Brian at BMC Autos in Minnesota. Worked fine on the midget brake lever assembly.


B Young

Thanks for that tip Bill, I've been meaning to modify my handbrake for a while and haven't got around to it. At $14 with free worldwide shipping I see little point in making it myself! I have ordered the pawl, for anyone else interested here is the link to it: http://bmcautos.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=113
AndrewF

Here is exactly what you need from Martin Ingall's wonderful Sebring Sprite website

http://sebringsprite.com/pdf%20files/FlyOffHandbrakePages1&2.pdf

Remember that it's copyright to Martin.

While you're at it why not check out the rest of his wonderful site www.sebringsprite.com
Gary & Gaps

Ok that link doesn't seem to be working so just go in via the main website http://sebringsprite.com/ and follow the link to the technical section.

Although the direct link works if you copy and paste it into your browser.
Gary & Gaps

Oh I know about his site. Its great info on that racecar. I may link my site instead of even attempting to write about that car. Trust me though, my pattern works, and so does the pawl I made. My only issue is that I don't know if the handbrake was unchanged from 1958-1979 production so I don't know if my pattern will work for all those years.
S.A. Jones

Well judging from brians site the lever didnt change much if at all, so my pattern should be fine on everyboidy's handbrake and the upshot is you dont have to look around for some special kit. Brian's PDF may hav emor epictures and detail on how to dissasemble the unit but he doesnt tell you how to reproduce that fancy conversion kit. I am not sure I could accurately reproduce it in the home shop anyhow.

Just us ethe pattern on my website. I think it's simpler than tracking down some vintage kit.
S.A. Jones

who is Brian?
David Smith

I saw the name brian in the masthead of the site gary linked to.


By the way. i just installed my homemade flyoff handbrake and it works like a champ. Only problem was that while I was installing it I momentarilly forgot that you can't release it by pushing on the button. Once I pulled up on the lever and released it I had a good laugh.
S.A. Jones

there's an old book called 'Healeys and Austin Healeys' with a drawing of how to do it. It's real simple
D le Versha

That would be Brian McCollough of BMC Automobiles. Several years ago he and I were talking about converting his MGB to a fly off brake and I sent hime a link to a site where such a conversion was shown. He drew up a design for a pawl and since he already had some parts being laser cut he just added the pawl design in the waste area between the other parts and now has them for sale.
They wouldn't be hard to make by hand but at his price it's an option just to buy one that you know fits and works as Andrew said.
B Young

So the MGB pawl works too. Good to know. Still, I made my own and I like it. If you don't want to buy his, just use my pattern.
S.A. Jones

This thread was discussed between 04/05/2011 and 06/05/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.