Javier,
Yes, unless you are a race car driver in a race, using the engine to brake is
not good. If you need to do all of that to stop, then, in my opinion, you are
having to stop too abruptly; and yes, in that case you definitely need to warn
the machine behind you with a brakelight.
Race car drivers do not drive their personal machines the way they drive their
race cars. I used to use the engine as part of my braking procedure also, way
back when, but found out many reasons why it is unwise to do.
Note the post indicating that the V-twins unload some of the clutches on them
to allow some slippage to prevent rear wheel lockup in the event the
operator needs to use the engine to brake.
Sudden changes in velocity (other than normal reciprocating speeds) tend to
either wear, or cause parts to come unglued in a reciprocating engine. And as
a for instance, crotch rockets that rev at 15,000 rpm are no more succeptible
than Nighthawks, spinning at 10,000.
It can cause bent rods, broken u-joints or halfshafts, thrown rods, broken
springs, swallowed valves, burnt valves, etc., especially should you
accidentally wind up in too low a gear and over-rev the engine.
Were the engnine to throw a rod, or lose its oil pressure for some reason, the
resulting siezure of the engine would have a two-wheeler most likely flip, and
a four-wheeler spinning. Had that happen to my ex in a poorly engineered Chevy
Citation, as the front brakes locked up upon first application in the AM. Not
too long thereafter, the engine siezed from lack of oil and she had the
presence of mind to disengage the clutch and coast to the side of the road,
with help of others leaving her room to get to the shoulder from the inside
lane. They heard the rear wheels lock up and obviously knew something was
wrong with the engine, since she was losing speed fast.
That was after only 5,700 miles. The shaft driving the oil pump looked like a
piece of drill bit.
Yes it is great to know how to use the engine to assist in braking, but not a
good idea to use it unless in an emergency situation.
That night mentioned earlier, when I used the engine to assist in braking, I
really made that rear wheel drag, with the chirping and all, but I didn't go
all the way to first, and just disengaged the clutch after using up second and
just mashed harder on the rear and front brakes, as I was already only going
maybe 10 mph.
Keep the rubber side rolling on the road and shinby side up...
Stanley
________________________________
From: Javier Garcia <jajgar...@gmail.com>
To: nighthawk_lovers@googlegroups.com
Sent: Fri, October 9, 2009 2:18:51 PM
Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: how to brake?
As I said, I do use downshift ing as a standard procedure plus both brakes. I
do believe it is the best way to stop the bike (or car). If it is incorrect I
would like to know why, but I don't think that the fact that repairing the
clutch is more expensive than reparing the brakes is a good argument. If the
idea is not to put wear on the engine or clutch then it shouldn't be used at
all ;).
Javier.
On Fri, Oct 9, 2009 at 12:18 PM, stanley/ Randolph <tinkrm...@yahoo.com> wrote:
True; but then, you shouldn't be downshifting just to brake. That's what the
brakes are for. As I said previously, only in an emergency, not as a matter of
standard braking procedure. It does put more wear and tear on the engine and
clutch and they are more expensive and require more down time than brakes; ask
HRM about how long it took just for her head on "Nightmare. "
>
>Stanley
>
>
>
>
>
________________________________
From: Javier Garcia <jajgar...@gmail.com>
>To: nighthawk_lovers@googlegroups.com
>Sent: Fri, October 9, 2009 10:17:11 AM
>
>Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: how to brake?
>
>
>
>"...when you are only downshifting your brake light doesn't come on..."
>
>
>
>
>On Fri, Oct 9, 2009 at 11:14 AM, stanley/ Randolph <tinkrm...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>The brake light comes on when you hit either brake...
>>If not, something is wrong with the front.
>>Stanley
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
________________________________
From: Javier Garcia <jajgar...@gmail.com>
>>To: nighthawk_lovers@googlegroups.com
>>Sent: Fri, October 9, 2009 5:40:03 AM
>>Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: how to brake?
>>
>>
>>I'm NOT an experienced driver, so take this advice for what it is worth:
>>
>> I use both brakes AND downshift all the time. Downshifting not only help the
>>brakes by adding stopping power, but it also warranties that you are always
>>at the right gear and that you don't loose traction. However there are cases
>>in which you need to be careful and "preserve" your brakes (this also applies
>>to the cars), like for example when you are going down from a mountain or
>>something like that. Going downhill with a lot of curves makes you wanna hit
>>the brake all the time which is dangerous since you can overheat and/or
>>damage your brakes. In those situations it is recommended to mainly downshift
>>and hit the brakes only when you really need them.
>>However, on the bike my personal golden rule is to always at least touch the
>>rear brake, always. The problem is that when you are only downshifting your
>>brake light doesn't come on, and then the moron in the Hummer behind you,
>>talking on the cellphone and drinking coffee doesn't realize you are reducing
>>speed.
>>
>>Hope this helps,
>>Javier.
>>
>>
>>
>>On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 1:07 PM, dapperdan7 <dapperd...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>i have always meant to ask you guys: how much do you use your
>>>transmission and downshifting for braking as opposed to the brakes and
>>>what are the pros and cons?
>>>
>>>thanx
>>>dan
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
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