Triumphrat

Ok, On my 71 Bonni the manual I have shows the rear shoe lever that connects to the rod from the pedal mounted pointing down. I recently visited a shop with plenty of Trumpets and most of my vintage have the shoe lever pointing up, (causing the rear brake rod to angle up towards the rear). Is this for better brake leverage, worn pads or do I have mine on upside-down. If this makes sense any thoughts would be appreciated.

Regards, sprintyelf. :-g

DAGAD

Should be pointing UP. Between 1 and 2 o'clock as you look at it. Roy

Thanks Dagad, I'm know completely convinced there's nothing about Triumphs you don't know. Thank you for replying to even the smallest questions like this one. Cheers to you.

Regards, sprintyelf :chug:

DAGAD

Thanks Sprinty, I wish! There are far more knowlegable people than me on Triumphs. Keep this a secret between us, I know one or two of them! Roy

oilyboot

Roy, you are without a doubt the most knowledgeable guy here, and you give great advice. But, (with all due respect) are you certain about that?

On both my '71's the lever on the brake plate points DOWN to the rod at about 6:00. Been like that forever, and I don't really see how they could be assembled any other way.

My '66 had a different style wheel with the lever as you describe.

Triumph made some major, unpopular, and shortlived design changes in '71, including the 'comical' wheels and brakes.

I think sprinty's manual is right (if it's a '71 wheel. maybe it isn't?)

If I'm wrong, I promise to give myself 20 lashes with a tommybar and refrain from all drunken posting for a period of 30 days.

Best regards, and thanks for sharing your knowledge.

steve

oilyboot

Roy, you are without a doubt the most knowledgeable guy here, and you give great advice. But, (with all due respect) are you certain about that?

On both my '71's the lever on the brake plate points DOWN to the rod at about 6:00. Been like that forever, and I don't really see how they could be assembled any other way.

My '66 had a different style wheel with the lever as you describe.

Triumph made some major, unpopular, and shortlived design changes in '71, including the 'comical' wheels and brakes.

I think sprinty's manual is right (if it's a '71 wheel. maybe it isn't?)

If I'm wrong, I promise to give myself 20 lashes with a tommybar and refrain from all drunken posting for a period of 30 days.

Best regards, and thanks for sharing your knowledge.

steve

Well with respect to both DAGAD and oilyboot I may just machine a new lever and point it at say....3:30. Just kidding. I did see a 73 Bonnie with the same looking rear brakes as mine pointing up, but thats why i posed the question because 1 it seemed contrary to the manual and 2 look a bit off with the rod rising up to the back. It would seem to me that either way is going to expand the shoes opposite?

Regards and thank you, sprintyelf

:-g

Well with respect to both DAGAD and oilyboot I may just machine a new lever and point it at say....3:30. Just kidding. I did see a 73 Bonnie with the same looking rear brakes as mine pointing up, but thats why i posed the question because 1 it seemed contrary to the manual and 2 look a bit off with the rod rising up to the back. It would seem to me that either way is going to expand the shoes opposite?

Regards and thank you, sprintyelf

:-g

DAGAD

UREKA, I've found the answer
From April 1971 on, thicker linings, together with thicker fulcrum pads and the necessary longer rear brake cam lever with newly introduced return spring was fitted.
The new longer lever was installed 'upwards' instead of underslung as previously.
There is no recorded engine number change point for these alterations to restore braking efficiency, I would guess around DE20000 onwards.......but this is only a GUESS. Roy

oilyboot

Thank you, Roy.

You ARE the man.You've provided yet another bit of valuable information that the guys who wrote my manuals didn't include.

Where did you find that piece of ancient history?

Thanks again.

Steve



ps I actually had to go out to the shop and look at both my back wheels before I posted on this subject. It seemed more likely that I was assembling my brakes wrong than for you to provide any incorrect info...