Re-use bolt-on hubs for rebuild? 26R/GTS rebuild

[dunclentdr]

Currently building suspension for my 26R style S2, will post photos soon.

I have to make a decision on hubs, rear uprights and wheels, would welcome wisdom and experience as I think through the following options:-

Option 1 - high cost - buy new rear uprights, front and rear 26R hubs from TTR and use TTR or Kelveden 6 inch 26R wheels

Option 2 - a bit less cost - buy new rear uprights, reuse the original bolt-on hubs from the S2 and fit the 26R wheels - this would save c?700 by reusing the original bolt-on hubs but I wouldn't have 'proper' 26R hubs. I am assuming here that the original hubs are compatible with 26R bolt on wheels.

Option 3 - much less cost - as Option 2 but also re-use the original set of Issue 16 rear uprights which are in good condition. This would save a further ?900 but would mean using 50 year old uprights and presumably more frequent bearing replacement because of the smaller bearings fitted in the early uprights.

The car is going to be used for trackday, sprints and hill climbs, gentleman driver and c145bhp.

Advice and other solutions welcomed!!!

Thanks

David

[Davidb]

David: I am doing exactly the same thing. This is what I have decided:

Original rear uprights with new bearings and Kelveden 26R steel knock-on hubs on the rear.

GT6 front uprights-TTR and Canley Classics have them for 95 quid each. Kelveden have them for 125 quid each. Matching billet front stub axles-Kelveden or TTR-I don't know yet if Canley are billet, will use them if they are.

Kelveden front alloy 26R hubs.

Knock-ons from Dave Bean in California-$70 each

Revolution wheels. The cost of 'proper' 26R wheels is the big stumbling block in this conversion-500 quid each is robbery in my opinion! Revolution wheels are four spoke and look very similar to 26R wheels-particularly when painted black! In Canada/USA nobody is going to care-it may be different where you are. I bought the wheels in very good condition for $50 each. They need the wheel stud holes sleeving down from 5/8" to 3/8"--I am doing this with 1/8" wall tubing epoxied into place-they are not under any stress. The pcd of the wheel studs in the Revolution wheels is 3.75" so I am having the hubs redrilled at 90 deg to the existing holes to suit this size-that way 4" pcd wheels can also be fitted.

Hope this helps, David b

[dunclentdr]

Thanks David

Since posting I have realised that reusing my bolt on hubs means I won't be able to fit a spinner and to some degree the 'look' is important to me, consequently open to KO solution.

By chance I have a set of 6" KO revolution wheels too so interested in how these could work. Guess I would need to drill the adaptor at the rear for 4 peg wheels..?


David

[Davidb]

What does the front of the Revolution wheel look like-where the stud holes are?

[dunclentdr]

...it's a KO wheel...

[nmauduit]

David: I am doing exactly the same thing. This is what I have decided: b

quite interesting, I'm planning something along the same line to get a racer project on a budget rolling - though with 5.5" revolutions (sourced with the KO flange but lacking the KO adapters) until fancy 6" rims fall within my reach... bolt on option has been decided, still toying with the idea of alloy hubs about which safety/durability issues are being raised.

Photos of the details of your setup would be greatly appreciated - as well as feedback on track use when the time comes.

thank you

[Davidb]

Revolution make this wheel in a version to fit 26R hubs-it costs 208 quid (no idea how to get a pound sign on my keyboard!)

The only modifications to the bolt on wheels that I am having to make is to machine a taper in the outside lip to accommodate the knock-on and I will probably machine .25 inch off the inner mounting face since the 26R hubs stick out more. I will use a friends mill to do this.

Surely even the knock-on style Revolution wheels have stud/bolt holes through them?

[dunclentdr]

...

[Davidb]

Interesting! It would be nice to get rid of that heavy steel adapter plate on the inside and install drive pegs.

The best answer I can see is to use the existing hubs and wheels and get alloy knock offs.
Nice cheap solution! I wish I could do that but I have bolt-on hubs.

[dunclentdr]

Slight thread drift here as we are getting onto wheels.

Came across these wheels, which have a nice 26R look, which can be bought for around ?240 inc VAT from imagewheels.co.uk

They can be made in KO or bolt on options, 4 peg or 5 peg depending on KO hubs used.

I like the look and maybe good as a second set to go with 26R wheels or Revolutions.

David

[Davidb]

"Vic" who posts on here had told me about those-they look good don't they? Any idea how much they weigh? My Revolutions are a little over 9lb each.

[dunclentdr]

Yes, I think they do too - have asked and they can be painted in the mag style dark grey too, which I like.

Will ask about the weight.

David

[dunclentdr]

about the same weight - 4.3kg.

David

[Davidb]

That looks like a good alternative then. Will the scrutineers have any problem with them?

I just heard back from Canley Classic-the Triumph spares people-and they tell me that their stub axles are billet-which at 26 quid each makes them the best deal out there for stub axles. He assures me people are racing Triumphs on them.

[Frogelan]

I'm also new to this, but I will be guided by what happens with comparing centre lock k/o wheels and bolt on with MG's...

1. I think it is fair to admire the engineering work TTR has put into the 26R wheels and associated parts, but this is too costly for me for my LHD car where the 26R "look" would be wrong (if we listen to the purists).

2. I will go for the low cost route and plan to go for the much cheaper aluminium and bolt on 5.5" Minilites as I suspect (perhaps someone can measure the weight of the parts) that the sum of the weights of this option are very similar to those of the 26R wheel, additional brake spacers and that huge spinner...

[I will ask one of the specialists on my next trip to the UK if I can weigh these!].