Litestar Pulse
Reverse Gear Option

How to Make It.


Basically the "reverse unit" is an automotive or motorcycle starter motor which is attached to a housing. Inside the housing the starter motor turns a series of "reduction gears". The last of these gears turns a "cone shaped gear" which is fitted over a shaft. This shaft extends out and is pulled onto the rear tire from a lever operated by the driver from the cockpit. It is a very simple unit with the only difficulty being finding the correct reduction gears.

The reverse unit is really only good on level ground or a slight grade and the drain on the battery is incredible.


Steve George.........

There is a lever much like a park brake lever only this has a gavity switch located inside (safty sw). This prevents the reverse unit from engaging before contact with the tire, the lever has a cable attached to it when the lever is pushed forward the cable is stretched pulling the reverse unit to engage the driver aluminum wheel to the tire (this whole thing is adjustable). Then a button is pushed on the dash the solonoid to the motor makes contact (electrical) to the reverse unit and the motor drives the wheel backwords.

Its not fast, but it beats pushing and you must have a fully charged battery.

This unit makes a very good park unit (which is required in some states). I have used mine many times on very steep hills locking the rear tire to prevent rolling.


By: Glen Choitz

I havent pulled my reverse unit apart yet to see what makes it "tick" but i do see it has a fluted aluminum cone for the drive wheel that is cable actuated and starter driven. I wonder if this is the same type of setup others have? If so, there is a small foundry in town here that does low production aluminum casting that I could get a price from on a few units if there is any interest.

The rest of the bracketry and assembly is rather crude flame cut steel, making me wonder if this is an add-on or truly the factory supplied part....

After looking over my Pulse frame work it would seem that most of the "hidden" areas are just as crude. I wonder if this holds true for everyones or maybe because mine is part of the later production models (#302) when the company may have been cutting corners to try to survive?


By: Steve George

I have had my reverse unit apart and I can say that there isn't really that much to it. Inside the case there is a set of reduction gears (in grease) with a drive motor from a motorcycle (my dealer friend says its a common motor) and a flexible drive cable with an attached aluminum cone.

It is crude, but it works. I sold my unit because it wouldnt fit with my larger tire. I am certain that someone out there could fabricate a better unit from steel with a stronger motor.


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