classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: Mark M on May 08, 2020, 06:11:48 PM

Title: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: Mark M on May 08, 2020, 06:11:48 PM
It is a 36 holer is the only other info I have.
REgards, Mark
Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: R on May 08, 2020, 11:54:11 PM
Can you find the brand or size of rim stamped on it someplace ?

I'd pick that as a variation of what appeared on some smaller Italian bikes e.g.
https://www.shannons.com.au/library/images/auctions/N1X6I4N2G6B2Z3J4/1600x1066/1972-benelli-250-twin-2c-phantom-motorcycle.jpg
Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: Mark M on May 09, 2020, 09:12:31 AM
Good thinking R. That does look similar. I think the design looks Grimeca but what makes me think it is a specific fitting is the beautiful cast on torque stay. You'll note the amateurish strip steel replacement in the picture! It came fitted to a Continental GT and the owner wants to restore to standard. The GT wears an 18" front wheel (not sure if this rim actually is,)  if that helps for scale. There are no markings on the outside, the owner is stripping it to examine the interior. I will post again,
REgards, Mark
Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: Mark M on May 10, 2020, 09:08:33 AM
The owner has now been informed that it is a Honda brake from a racer. I did a bit of Google-ing and iindeed, that does seem to be right, it seems to have been fitted to the CB77 but whether this was a race kit item I can't establish.
REgards, Mark
Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: R on May 10, 2020, 10:11:30 AM
Its certainly not the std CB77 brake.

Superlong file name, big picture.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Honda_Superhawk_305cc_CB77_1965._Light_years_ahead_of_anything_else._Those_were_the_great_days_of_early_Japanese_bikes%2Ceven_if_I_preferred_the_earlier_Super_Dream_-_Flickr_-_mick_-_Lumix.jpg/1280px-thumbnail.jpg

I don't think thats the std front brake on a GT750 either ?  Looks similar ?
https://www.trademotorcycles.com.au/assets-mt/uploads/2016/05/Suzuki-GT750-7-800x600.jpg

They could still be Grimeca or Grimeca type copies ?
https://classic2strokesuzuki.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/4/8/11486558/s276393290893782215_p95_i1_w600.jpeg

Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: Mark M on May 11, 2020, 08:47:14 AM
R, yes, it's not standard that's for sure. I did find some pictures of Honda twins in classic racing in the US fitted with this brake and they implied (but weren't specific,) that the brakes (both front and rear,) were race kit items. I know what you mean about Grimeca but the beautifully cast on torque stay says that it was intended for specific fitment, I'd have expected a more generic stay mounting stud for an accessory item. Anyway, owner hasn't come back to me, I'd expect the castings to have an HM logo or Honda wing motif somewhere? Did they do this in the 60s I wonder?
REgards, Mark
Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: R on May 13, 2020, 06:55:25 AM
That lug looks very much like what you'd see as for the rear wheel attachment,
although no brakes quite like that spring to mind.
Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: Mark M on May 13, 2020, 08:58:41 AM
R, I wondered that too but didn't have enough experience to go on
REgards, Mark
Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: esometisse on May 13, 2020, 09:36:57 AM
it's not standard that's for sure.
wrong!

it's a standard Honda CB92 Benly front brake from the early sixties period.
certainely not a purposefully constructed race item although club racers on a budget may have used these as they were cheaper than the Cerianis, Oldanis and Fontanas

have a look here:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Honda_CB92_Benly_Supersport_125cc_Front_Fork_Wheel.JPG

Cheers, Andy
Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: R on May 13, 2020, 11:52:28 PM
Thats very observant of you - top marks for that one.
That means the front brake 'upgrade' for a RE GT250 is off a 125 cc   !!!

Now, I'll have to admit my dad was given one of those Benly's, long time back, and I have never seen those cooling slotted vent(s).
If they are there, they'd be in behind that fork leg leading link bizzo.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/68/7c/68/687c685b3759db146a040055c92095ed.jpg)
Those Benlys were built like a large swiss watch - and heavy to go with it !
Wonder how you go restoring them, the factory parts supply would be long extinct ?
Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: R on May 14, 2020, 12:05:17 AM
If they are there, they'd be in behind that fork leg leading link bizzo.

Perhaps they (cooling slots) were only on the supersport model. ?
They look to be on the front of the wheel up top here.

Nope, I'm flummoxed, there are no cooling slots visible on any supersport model front wheels.
Still unsolved ??

Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: Mark M on May 14, 2020, 09:07:28 AM
Well I think Andy has it. All the details look correct with the exception of the cooling scoop slots. These are explicable though, there appears to be a screw-on cover plate on the roadster model and this might easily hide the slots underneath. Similarly, Norton TLS brakes were fitted with a blanking plate inside which could presumably be removed by the go-faster set!
Thanks Andy, (and everyone else,)
REgards, Mark
Title: Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
Post by: cardan on May 14, 2020, 02:11:01 PM
Nice brake from a nice bike.

http://suprememotos.com/honda/101016-1963-honda-cb92-125-super-sport-benly-classic-vintage-very-rare-stunning-bike.html

Leon