Triumph T120 wheel for B40 TLS conversion?

highboy_coupe · 08 November, 2023, 16:28:55

Hi, looking at all the TLS options out there, eBay is a wash with somewhat anonymous 7" TLS front brake plates, with little information about what bike they are from, spindle size, width etc..
I was thinking a Triumph T120 front wheel complete with TLS brake might fit the B40 forks, the torsion/cable stays look to be in the right place but I can't find out the exact measurements of the B40 spindle easily.

T120 spindle:
Length: 7 1/2" (190mm)
Distance between grooves: 6 7/8" (163mm)

Also fitted to A50 /A65 and a lot of others things with TLS from '68 on.

I am guessing the '68 on spindles are thicker, so won't fit...it's worth checking, as I do not know what 7" TLS options will fit the B40 hub, and they are quite pricey!!

Thanks

neil1964 · 10 November, 2023, 14:15:45

Depending on the year of your B40 the 7" TLS Triumph brake used on late T100S and T100P will fit. They have the steel block welded to the inner face of the offside fork leg and split clamps. Similar era Starfires/Barracudas had the same brake and, when set up properly, are very good stoppers. I found that an HD cable was best.

highboy_coupe · 11 November, 2023, 17:54:50

Thanks so much for the information, my B40 is a '65. The original front brake is pretty abysmal!!

rhyatt · 12 November, 2023, 06:27:55

Is it possible to centralise the backplate?
That can make a huge difference.
Or reline the shoes with a softer material.
We reline our brakes, but then may not do sufficient mileage thereafter to bed them in fully.
Just a thought

Colin SS90 · 12 November, 2023, 09:46:57

This is a photo of my 1964 B40 fitted with a 7" TLS front brake fitted to a standard B40 front hub. The TLS is a straight swap with the standard SLS brake (except cable - I made my own for TLS). I bought the bike as an unfinished project and was told the TLS was a Triumph.

HTH Colin

neil1964 · 16 November, 2023, 15:32:06

Quote from: Colin SS90 on 12 November, 2023, 09:46:57
This is a photo of my 1964 B40 fitted with a 7" TLS front brake fitted to a standard B40 front hub. The TLS is a straight swap with the standard SLS brake (except cable - I made my own for TLS). I bought the bike as an unfinished project and was told the TLS was a Triumph.

HTH Colin

Yes that is the one. Properly set up and good (non stretchy) cable those are fantastic stoppers. Easily locked up my Avon Roadrunners on dry road with it if needed.

Colin SS90 · 16 November, 2023, 16:16:45

Not sure about locking front wheel (I try to avoid that), but the TLS brake is very efficient and is well up to coping with B40 performance. Only downside is lack of braking when rolling backwards, all TLS brakes are the same apparently.
So to convert a B40 to TLS you just need a 7" Triumph TLS backplate which will fit into a standard hub, not a complete wheel assembly with all the compatibility issues.
Colin

JulianS · 16 November, 2023, 16:51:50

The 7 inch TLS hub does fit (did it to a 1961 B40) and takes the same bearings as the B40 hub, and it has the advantage of being stronger with the verticle spoke flange and has a wider braking surface.

Colin SS90 · 17 November, 2023, 09:51:24

Thanks for the information Julian

The front hub that I have is a TLS item (see photo) so the previous owner must have fitted it to use the TLS backplate. The wheels were built when I bought the project and I assumed, wrongly, that the hub was a standard B40 item.

Apologies to all for any confusion caused by me not knowing the origin of my front hub.

Colin