Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
User avatar

Topic author
Jugster
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:41 pm
First Name: Bob
Last Name: Coiro
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
Location: Commack, NY
Board Member Since: 2009

Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by Jugster » Wed Jul 17, 2019 11:58 am

For me, it's been a lousy year and a half of no Model T-ing. A third ruptured lumbar disc in April of '18 and subsequent fourth spine surgery in February pretty much took me out of the game. After some months of recovery and having clawed my way back into the cockpit, I discovered that leaning forward to operate the parking brake handle is no longer an option. Aw, nuts.

Fortunately, the Lang family sells two different types of handle extension. I went with the one that looks more "vintage." It arrived today and the photos show what it looks like assembled and unassembled. First impression is that this is a hefty, well-built, well thought-out accessory which you don't want to drop on your foot—and for the going price of $75, makes me wonder how the heck they make any profit on it.

Well, I'll post more photos and let you know how well it works after installation. Maybe there'll be some spectators in funny hats this year, after all.
Attachments
Extension Unassembled.jpg
Extension Assembled.jpg


Marty Bufalini
Posts: 185
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:17 pm
First Name: Marty
Last Name: Bufalini
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring
Location: Michigan

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by Marty Bufalini » Wed Jul 17, 2019 5:27 pm

I've been looking at one of those myself, Bob, and I'd love to know how you like it, if it works well and easily, etc.

It's getting a little hard for me, too, after back surgeries.


catbol
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:09 pm
First Name: Ronald
Last Name: Bolser
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Cab Top Light Express PU, 1925 Touring,1922 Coupe
Location: Danville, Illinois
MTFCA Number: 29506
MTFCI Number: 23862

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by catbol » Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:18 pm

I have that same extension on all 3 of my T's. I put them on when I too could not lean all the way forward with a bad left hip. The hip was replaced 9 months ago but they are not coming off. I love them. It makes it so easy to control the lever without leaning forward especially if you have short arms.
I have to take it off every time I want to remove the floorboards because it will not clear the floor board opening for the lever.

User avatar

Oldav8tor
Posts: 1929
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Juhl
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
Location: Thumb of Michigan
MTFCA Number: 50297
MTFCI Number: 24810
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by Oldav8tor » Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:50 pm

Pictures please :D
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor


catbol
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:09 pm
First Name: Ronald
Last Name: Bolser
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Cab Top Light Express PU, 1925 Touring,1922 Coupe
Location: Danville, Illinois
MTFCA Number: 29506
MTFCI Number: 23862

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by catbol » Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:26 pm

Will try to post pictures tomorrow.

User avatar

Topic author
Jugster
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:41 pm
First Name: Bob
Last Name: Coiro
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
Location: Commack, NY
Board Member Since: 2009

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by Jugster » Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:44 pm

I patched together some artwork in Photoshop to show how the extension works. And yes, this accessory would have to be unbolted and uninstalled in order to completely remove the aft floorboard, but rather than do that, I'm sure there must be a way to move the floorboard out of the way sufficiently for routine greasing and oiling. Can't make an omelet without breaking eggs, I guess.
Attachments
extension f jpeg.jpg

User avatar

TonyB
Posts: 663
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:15 am
First Name: Tony
Last Name: Bowker
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 touring
Location: La Mesa, CA
MTFCA Number: 32
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by TonyB » Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:45 pm

I have installed three of the extension in the picture, one in my daughters speedster as she was complaining about reaching the level with the seat moved back to accommodate the lowered steering column. We both love it.
The other two have been in customers cars and again only compliments and no complaints.
Go for it😊
Tony Bowker
La Mesa, California
1914 Touring, 1915 Speedster, 1924 Coupe.


catbol
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:09 pm
First Name: Ronald
Last Name: Bolser
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Cab Top Light Express PU, 1925 Touring,1922 Coupe
Location: Danville, Illinois
MTFCA Number: 29506
MTFCI Number: 23862

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by catbol » Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:53 pm

Bob
I have held the lower floor board up out of the way with a bungee cord when cleaning out the screen in the tranny and turning the grease cups without removing the extension. I removed it when changing the bands and installing AC brakes.

User avatar

aDave
Posts: 314
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:21 am
First Name: David
Last Name: Dufault
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915
Location: Concord New Hampshire
MTFCA Number: 303
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by aDave » Thu Jul 18, 2019 1:22 pm

Glad to hear that YOUR body is healing.

As has been said previously, I too, am looking forward to more prose from Long Island.

Dave

User avatar

Topic author
Jugster
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:41 pm
First Name: Bob
Last Name: Coiro
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
Location: Commack, NY
Board Member Since: 2009

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by Jugster » Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:46 pm

Finished up the installation. Pretty easy to do.
To release, pull back slightly, lift then push forward.
Here are some photos of what it looks like in a 1915 Touring.
Attachments
IMG_1546 C.jpg
IMG_1541 zZ.jpg
IMG_1539 work h.jpg
extension f jpeg.jpg


paul hoogendoorn
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:26 am
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Hoogendoorn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Runabout
Location: South Africa

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by paul hoogendoorn » Sun Jul 21, 2019 2:38 pm

To facilitate floor board removal I have made a small hinged trap door on the side of the floorboard. Flip it up to remove the board sideways. I have also cut a small slit in my rubber floor mat, hardly visible. Removing the extension attachment to get to the hogshead is a pain in the butt and takes time and effort.

User avatar

Topic author
Jugster
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:41 pm
First Name: Bob
Last Name: Coiro
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
Location: Commack, NY
Board Member Since: 2009

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by Jugster » Tue Jul 23, 2019 6:16 pm

Paul,
Might you have a cellphone photo of your floorboard modification?
Bob C.


paul hoogendoorn
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:26 am
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Hoogendoorn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Runabout
Location: South Africa

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by paul hoogendoorn » Wed Jul 24, 2019 6:19 am

Hi Bob, no I don't have a photo but will take one on the weekend and post on the site - that is - if I can find out how to do this.

User avatar

Topic author
Jugster
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:41 pm
First Name: Bob
Last Name: Coiro
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
Location: Commack, NY
Board Member Since: 2009

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by Jugster » Wed Jul 24, 2019 4:13 pm

Thanks. Much appreciated.

User avatar

Topic author
Jugster
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:41 pm
First Name: Bob
Last Name: Coiro
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
Location: Commack, NY
Board Member Since: 2009

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by Jugster » Fri Jul 26, 2019 12:38 pm

So I drove the Flivver to the local cruise-in yesterday and the lever extension was a real pleasure! Yes, it does take up a bit of side-to-side leg room when in the full aft position, but not so much in the neutral position, and not at all when in the full-forward position. Yeah, I'd recommend the living daylights out of this product for anyone who, like me, has a physical problem with leaning forward to get the lever into high-gear. Having had most of my lumbar vertabra fused together, it was starting to look like maybe I wouldn't be able to drive a Model T any longer. I'm glad that turns out not to be the case.


paul hoogendoorn
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:26 am
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Hoogendoorn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Runabout
Location: South Africa

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by paul hoogendoorn » Sat Jul 27, 2019 9:37 am

Hi Bob,

Here are the trap door pics as promised, hope this helps
Attachments
20190727_104856.jpg
20190727_104844.jpg


GG Gregory
Posts: 295
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2019 3:05 pm
First Name: GG
Last Name: Gregory
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 Roadster
Location: Maryville Tn

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by GG Gregory » Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:20 am

To bad nobody makes one for a 26-27.


paul hoogendoorn
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:26 am
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Hoogendoorn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Runabout
Location: South Africa

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by paul hoogendoorn » Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:56 am

Forgot to mention my car is RHD. If I may ask, GG, won't the extension fit a 26 - 27 and why not?

User avatar

Topic author
Jugster
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:41 pm
First Name: Bob
Last Name: Coiro
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
Location: Commack, NY
Board Member Since: 2009

Re: Product Review: Brake Handle Extension

Post by Jugster » Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:38 pm

Thanks for the photos, Paul. Nice installation. I hope to do as neat a job. Thanks again.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic