B44 forks and brakes

[rogerfastlane]

I have a ca 1970 BSA B44 with shuttle valve forks and want to fit the GP 8" SLS 1/2 width hub and brake. Can I swap JUST the sliders to provide the torque arm/axle fit and still retain the the shuttle valve damper part? The 8" TLS also seems to fit the 8" 1/2 width drum, so COULD potentially just make an axle to adapt. Anyone done either of the above?     

[Ian C]

Are you stating your existing front brake is a 8" TLS as the standard setup for B44 was a 7" TLS from the 1969 model year. All the bikes supplied with TLS brakes were fitted with the Triumph design forks, but the Victor Special with the 8" half width brakes had the BSA damper rod style forks up to end of production. I'm also not too sure whether you can mix and match between sliders and internals TBH.

[rogerfastlane]

Hi Ian,
the BSA is a cludge together of parts from a B25 amd B44 with the later Triumph style shuttle valve forks currently using a 7" TLS on an old Triumph hub and 18" wheel. Cable run and mudguard mounts seem a poor fit so have picked up an earlier A65/B44/GP/Enduro 8" hub & brake and a pair of correct earlier sliders (screw fit axle). As the shuttle valve was nominally superior to the rod-dampers I would like to swap (or probably buy new) the damper internals (essentially the restrictors) and put these into the earlier sliders as stanchion and bush diameters should be the same. Not for the purist I know, but this was always a mix and match machine and  love the looks and stopping power of the 8" Goldie style brake. An alternative is to make a custom axle and possibly drop in a spare 8" TLS into the 1/2 width hub and stick with the current fork sliders as I see some vendors are selling essentially this 1/2 width brake TLS conversion. So the big quesstion is will the late restrictors etc fit into the early sliders? I can do light machining or get this done if slight mods are required. Thanks.         

[Ian C]

I see what you mean now. It may be possible as there is the hole in bottom of slider for damper attachment 5/16" clearance as used a 5/16"BSF bolt), so you'd potentially just replace the damper with the Fork Restrictor (97-2090) which was attached with a 1/4" BSF flanged bolt. Obviously how the bottom of the slider internals have been machined to accept either parts will dictate fit but as I've never attempted it I cannot advise further, so good luck with this project. 

[rogerfastlane]

Hi,
thanks for the bolt dimension info. Am sure I can sleeve/drill or turn down a bolt to fit if necessary. Most say the shuttle valve damps as well or better than the Taylor Dow damper so maybe the best solution if I can get it to fit or may have to revert to VS damper rods and caps + stanchions - not massively OTT on cost for a nice new front end, but already have the new shuttle valve forks on the bike, so nice to use if possible. If all too much I am attracted to fitting a spare 8" TLS into the 1/2 width (wide) drum (seems to fit fine) and can keep current sliders, stanchions etc. just needs a custom axle. Something nice about the original brakeplate though and HAVE found an original Eddie Dow TLS linkage in my parts bin, so another brake option there as well, maybe try the reverse lever layout first though...................will post any final version and damper fits for others to see. Thanks for your comments,   

[rogerfastlane]

Well, just cleaned up the hub and in very nice condition, almost ready to paint and fit new bearings. Looking at the large blanked off holes - anyone know why they are there? Maybe to lighten the hub a little as the blanking discs are thin metal? Would look great with mesh vents in - though pretty superfulous on a B44. A65 type sliders have been stripped and almost finished paint and looking pretty smart. Feked have supplied some period oilseal holders and late shuttle valve restrictors and a various bits and bobs. Found spare restrictor bolts in my parts bin ex-MCE/Armoury Rd works so almost there to start a dry build to see how it all hangs together. Nice Borrani clone ally rim has arrived drilled for the hub and original spoke pattern - so I am told. Seems the majority of rims out there are pre-drilled and totally wrong for 1/2 width (or any Brit) wheels - thanks to UKwheelbuilding for doing this properly. I have looked at dozens of "rebuilt" whels on ebay and almost all ahve incorrenctly drilled rims with spokes bent all over the place - awful to look at and potentially unsafe! SLS brakeplate will probably be used initially. New wide shoes here but need to strip and tidy up the plate now. Will try the reverse lever arm idea that apparently brings the leading shoe into contact first with the best cam action. New ss torque arm from Barleycorn. Price v.good but as laser/watercut the edges are unfinished so will need dressing - OK vfm though. Thier fasteners are realy nice. Once all cleaned and painted will post images. Hope to get wheel laced up and trued by local chaps in Chard - seen their work and looks very good.       

[rogerfastlane]

Have now stripped the 1/2 width 8" hub and all looks good so painting today - starting to look good. Reading various forums/fora (?) and they say the 1970 B44 yokes are the same width as earlier models. Anyone know if the shuttle valve yokes are the same width as the damper rod type? Some say the top yoke is the same but bottom yoke has larger stanchion holes for the damper rod forks. I am attempting to fit shuttle valve damper stanchions into the damper rod type sliders so in theory no change to yokes required. If yoke width is the same I can specify the original rim offset to my wheelbuilder. If no knowledge on this will have to measure up in a dry build, but a bit hard to measure accurately.     

[rogerfastlane]

To simplify my B44 front end with the 8" half width brake I have decided to fit complete VS type stanchions and sliders etc. Bought these now with a pair of early A65/Goldie style sliders Eddie Dow damper rods and original style oilseal holders etc. As the Dow dampers don't use the original dampers/rods and slider retention, does anyone have an assembly drawing of how these all go together? Lots of sellers offer the damper kits but none have any instructions/assembly drawings to show how these go together.
Thanks to anyone who can help.