BSA B31 for first classic bike?

[wetdog]

may have been ok in the day with cars running cable brakes ,but in modern traffic they are Sh*t reguardless of skimming relineing etc standard brakes will lead to some heart stopping moments for sure , thats if you intend useing the bike ,but please tell me if you know how to stop brake fade on a 7in bsa half width hub ( we wont mention the 6 in) it might be usefull 

[Bomber]

I totally agree... they were as good as it got in their day. The bike has remained the same modern traffic certainly hasn't. BTW.. not a comical hub front brake for sure. Although I understand if you change the lever on comical hubs to a modern after market longer version that they are much better.

[wetdog]

without changing the hand leaver how can this be ? if the brake arm is longer it means more travel at the handle bar leaver , you will increase the mechanical advantage I agree but this is not the problem if you still have a grip , these hubs fade and when the leaver meets the bars your f***ed , the twin shoe you are using , straight or bell crank ,  is the best front drum triump/bsa ever made and are very expensive now ( I also have one fitted to a bike also a comical hub one to a triumph 500 , the comical one is poor and its easy to see why ) pulling one shoe on and then the next is not good and I can think of no other that operates in this way , Hams hall thanks

[Bomber]

What you say makes good sense, I have always listened to advice and kept well clear of the comical hub.

I did buy a job lot of stuff for £250 which included a bottom half of a 500 triumph engine a few years ago and it contained a double sided twin leading shoe brake which I later discovered was from a TZ Yamaha just before discs came in. That brake I swear is as good as any disc and it looks the part too.

[wetdog]

TZ Yamaha .............. very nice and ive seen this wheel fetch £1500 , never had one my self , early kettle f/wheels also now prized for the classic race boys , I will post some pics of a hub I have here and I think its bsa maybe m20 but have to say it was quite a good brake , came with a 500 ariel which was fitted bsa girder front end

[wetdog]

here are some of the hubs fitted to bikes here , only one I would say would save you from a burka clad driver round here and maybe not two up , the rest no way , to improve the brakes I skim the hubs with the rim laced ON and reline the shoes , I also shim the trailling edge until it touches the drum (not on ariels) is there any thing else you would recommend . these are my feelings from personal experience your b31 may do a stoppe , if so please show me

standard B33 ok but bike is to heavy , the smaller 7in and 6in (not for road use ) forget it , Allaha here we come

[wetdog]

the best one triumph / bsa ever made not cheap now , but do work well

[wetdog]

ariel with adjustable trailling shoe , should work better , two up  forget it , Allaha here we come

[wetdog]

don't know but think bsa was fitted to girders , wide shoes and a good brake  , two up  forget it , Allaha here we come

[wetdog]

c15 b40 etc , solo rubbish  , Allaha here we come

[wetdog]

comical hub prone to cracking , solo ok below 30mph ,  two up  forget it , Allaha here we come

[Bomber]

This is where mine finished up

[wetdog]

very nice and needed I guess to stop a imp powerd monster , looks like you don't risk it two up mind 

[Bomber]

She rides a 1200cc Harley... at least I can show her my arse on the imp! Has to be pretty twisty to do it on a 500 single TBH!

[wetdog]

my wife sees my arse every morning as I get out me pit , 1200 Harleys ( take it sportster and not old shovel) handle better than some/most  think , but a good 500 single down a lane I think would av it just