Well, this has become a lively discussion! First, let me compliment Oldfart on the quality and professionalism of his work. I have concerns about the small size and the grade of the bolt, but it is the best conversion I have seen, bar none. No offense Lamonster.
I agree with others who have pointed out that this is not a front brake, but an additional mechanism to apply all the brakes. As such, it does not enter into any of the controversies about how much front brake to use. With either pedal or hand lever, you will apply all the Spyder brakes...plain and simple.
I wholeheartedly agree that a rider that switches from machine to machine has an advantage with such a system on his or her Spyder. Although I find myself more likely to "grab air" while on the Spyder, than to fail to use the front brake while riding my bikes, I do feel uncomfortable realizing I just had to think about what is going on. "Fail to adapt", not really...whatever you do to brake, especially in a panic situation, must be instinctive and second nature. If you have to take time to think about it, you may wind up dead, and you certainly will stop farther down the road.
Reasons for such an adapter vary. Keeping in practice when you switch rides is certainly a good one. I also loudly applaud the fact that such a conversion can open the door for people with mild to severe disabilities. Why shouldn't they be able to ride? One thing nobody has mentioned is the ability to use the brake lever to stop the machine when not riding it. Pushing out of the garage or into a trailer, for instance.
My only concern is that some able-bodied people, who also ride conventional motorcycles, will get in the bad habit of using only the hand brake lever. This is a recipe for disaster! Yes, 70% or more of your braking power on a motorcycle comes from the front brake. Unfortunately, most of your braking instability in anything other than straight-line braking on a clean, dry surface, also comes from the front brake. Ask any dirt rider about that one! Wet pavement, leaves, curves, oil, even slick manhole covers offer numerous opportunities to crash if too much front brake is applied. Learn to apply it excessively, indiscriminately, or exclusively, and you will eventually experience road rash first hand. Too much emphasis has often been placed on use of the front brake, without explaining that for optimum stabilty and stopping power, a rider must use both together. Fortunately, the Spyder takes care of that issue for us.
I cannot condone, and certainly wouldn't recommend no front brake on any machine, nor would I be as rash as to actually recommend it and cry about laws against it. Not to have and use one on the street is folly. Yes, I have owned drag bikes with no front brake. Was it comforting going 150 mph and trying to stop at the long end...NO! Yes, I mostly ride old bikes with drum brakes, and I have to try to ride and brake way ahead of myself. Comforting, not always...panic stop, I hope not. Write me from your hospital room and tell me how that worked out for you if the occasion arises. Less braking power is less braking power...period! Stopping distances will be increased. You can't fight physics.
Sorry for the long-winded tyrade. I just couldn't let this one slide. I remain among those who hope that BRP will one day double up with a secondary brake lever, and I may even rig one myself one day...although not likely as elegantly as Oldfart has done.
-Scotty