Triumph rear wheel to Commando swap
- Thread starter Onder
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2010
- Messages
- 1,275
Speedo drive is immaterial................rear wheel offset, and sprocket alignment are the things that must be carefully checked.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2004
- Messages
- 21,110
There are two types of "T140" wire wheel rear disc hub.
The early type, used up to around 1980 which had a right hand side Smiths speedo drive (same drive box as the Commando up to '74, I think), and the 1980-on hub with a left hand side Veglia speedo drive.
Note that the T140 rear hubs are made from 3 separate castings which differ from the T160 2 piece hub castings so all three hubs are similar-but not identical.
The T160 rear wheel had a left hand Smiths speedo drive.
The standard T160 rear rim is 19" WM3, the T140 rim is 18" WM3 and the T140/T160rim offsets are different.
The early type, used up to around 1980 which had a right hand side Smiths speedo drive (same drive box as the Commando up to '74, I think), and the 1980-on hub with a left hand side Veglia speedo drive.
Note that the T140 rear hubs are made from 3 separate castings which differ from the T160 2 piece hub castings so all three hubs are similar-but not identical.
The T160 rear wheel had a left hand Smiths speedo drive.
The standard T160 rear rim is 19" WM3, the T140 rim is 18" WM3 and the T140/T160rim offsets are different.
Onder
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- May 11, 2010
- Messages
- 4,407
Have T160 type hub and wheel complete. Speedo would be on
the drive side.
Speedo isnt immaterial as this is a street bike. Sure, the fallback
position is an electronic clock but Id like to use the stock setup.
Curious if anybody had taken a shot at this.
the drive side.
Speedo isnt immaterial as this is a street bike. Sure, the fallback
position is an electronic clock but Id like to use the stock setup.
Curious if anybody had taken a shot at this.
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2008
- Messages
- 7,253
I have a Triumph wheel that I ran on my mk3 for many years. I took it off when somebody convinced me that my bike would be smoother if I installed a wheel with a cush drive. I couldn't tell the difference. I still have the wheel in my shop. I believe the speedo drive was on the RH side.
The drive can be used on either side by pulling the brass plugs out and switching ends. I used the Triumph disk rotor and the MK3 caliper but I had to make a different bracket. The small single bearings in the Triumph wheel didn't last very long and I ended up installing tapered roller bearings and machining a spacer to set the bearing preload.
When I first built my bike in 1981 from scavenged parts I didn't have a Norton wheel but I did have a Triumph wheel so that is why I did it. I used it until about 5 years ago.
If I can tell you anything else about it let me know. Jim
The drive can be used on either side by pulling the brass plugs out and switching ends. I used the Triumph disk rotor and the MK3 caliper but I had to make a different bracket. The small single bearings in the Triumph wheel didn't last very long and I ended up installing tapered roller bearings and machining a spacer to set the bearing preload.
When I first built my bike in 1981 from scavenged parts I didn't have a Norton wheel but I did have a Triumph wheel so that is why I did it. I used it until about 5 years ago.
If I can tell you anything else about it let me know. Jim
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2009
- Messages
- 231
Steve Maney sells a very nice looking cush drive set up for use with the Triumph rear hub. The set up also allows easy and rapid sprocket changes. I've often thought this set up would be the way to go (or at least it was until I saw the flash belt drive we're all now waiting for Comnoz to start producing).
Onder
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- May 11, 2010
- Messages
- 4,407
First thanks for the input, I dont have much time so my project inches forward. I
will gladly apply for advise as I hit each bump and keep list up to date.
Reading through posts on cush drives, I keep in mind the piss poor drum cush and
come from the BSA Triumph side of the fence with their pretty good cush in
the clutch. T150\160 cush is fine. So being aware of Maney setup I decided on the
T160 stuff. Also I read all the dirt bike approaches but wanted to stay brit on it all as
if it was 1975ish. Just whim no common sense need apply.
Finally, I ran a T150 for years and never remember trouble with the bearings. I
must have forgotten because Maney adds a bearing in his kit and Im sure it isnt
because he had nothing else to do.
will gladly apply for advise as I hit each bump and keep list up to date.
Reading through posts on cush drives, I keep in mind the piss poor drum cush and
come from the BSA Triumph side of the fence with their pretty good cush in
the clutch. T150\160 cush is fine. So being aware of Maney setup I decided on the
T160 stuff. Also I read all the dirt bike approaches but wanted to stay brit on it all as
if it was 1975ish. Just whim no common sense need apply.
Finally, I ran a T150 for years and never remember trouble with the bearings. I
must have forgotten because Maney adds a bearing in his kit and Im sure it isnt
because he had nothing else to do.
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2010
- Messages
- 5,947
Theres NVT stuff , n house as it were , then ' After the Crash ' Left foot shift Meridan .
I caustically regard Meridan stuff as Comunist , as the deals sunk NVT .
Though their parrallel port Bonnie Head is usefull for a Triton / Weber DCOE .
Point being ' things changed ' post workers takeover.Not always for the better .
I caustically regard Meridan stuff as Comunist , as the deals sunk NVT .
Though their parrallel port Bonnie Head is usefull for a Triton / Weber DCOE .
Point being ' things changed ' post workers takeover.Not always for the better .
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 175
I was wondering if the Triumph one piece axle would work on a Norton, If the proper spacers was made? I used a Honda but the T-140v axle looks like it would work also!
Holmeslice
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2009
- Messages
- 511
I have a Maney cush drive on a T140 hub in a Seeley swingarm. It's an absolutely beautiful setup.
The speedo drive is (was) on the right.
This requires significant machining of the hub to fit the cush, and alignment between rear and gearbox sprocket is not plug-and-play. In fact, to get the clearance and alignment, I moved the gearbox over left in the engine plates to get the gb sprocket further outboard. This requires machining of the ID of the clutch center so it can pass deeper onto the mainshaft to keep the primary belt aligned.
I believe the lot would fit within a Commando hub, but would require a good amount of machining of already thin T140 hub surfaces where the sprocket and disk mounts, as well as a lot of offset of the rim.
The speedo drive is (was) on the right.
This requires significant machining of the hub to fit the cush, and alignment between rear and gearbox sprocket is not plug-and-play. In fact, to get the clearance and alignment, I moved the gearbox over left in the engine plates to get the gb sprocket further outboard. This requires machining of the ID of the clutch center so it can pass deeper onto the mainshaft to keep the primary belt aligned.
I believe the lot would fit within a Commando hub, but would require a good amount of machining of already thin T140 hub surfaces where the sprocket and disk mounts, as well as a lot of offset of the rim.
Onder
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- May 11, 2010
- Messages
- 4,407
I just tossed the T160 axle across the MkII swinging arm. I said
across because it is slightly larger in diameter than stock Norton.
It is about 3/16" too short lengthwise. By this I mean the threads
on the end of the spindle are inside the arm ears by 3/16". Overall
it may still work but you need to subtract the adjusters thickness
and any washer under the nut. I would say 3/8" + longer would
be better.
Thanks for the words of warning on the cush drive from Maney.
It would be a nice addition but perhaps more trouble and expense
than wise for me. Ill have to lay this all out and see.
across because it is slightly larger in diameter than stock Norton.
It is about 3/16" too short lengthwise. By this I mean the threads
on the end of the spindle are inside the arm ears by 3/16". Overall
it may still work but you need to subtract the adjusters thickness
and any washer under the nut. I would say 3/8" + longer would
be better.
Thanks for the words of warning on the cush drive from Maney.
It would be a nice addition but perhaps more trouble and expense
than wise for me. Ill have to lay this all out and see.
- Status
