This is the tank from a 1927 works Triumph showing an interesting treatment of the edges of the various sheet metal parts of the tank, The scalloped edges make for a stronger solder joint (in the days before welding processes). Seen at the Sammy Miller Museum.
I think that Titch Allen wrote in one of his vintage bike test articles that Triumph used knife edge bearings on the OHV rockers and that they failed on the island with such bad aftertaste that they abandoned factory racing for many years. If the knife edges where to blame i believe he did not say!
ReplyDeleteThinking on knife edges under load expect wear!
The load on the knife edge is very concentrated (=how a knife works).
As soon as wear sits in the edge and it's mating surface starts to wear away.
If the mating surface could be made to be un-wearable it would work (-ish).
Then the "knife" would just roll (even when worn) on the flat surface.
With a worn mating surface the rolling edge would not be able to roll out of the worn trough.
My 5p's worth..
Sten vW (Sweden)
Over-restored
ReplyDeleteThanks! I recall that sad story, but didn't connect it with this bike and did not take a picture of the whole bike.
ReplyDelete