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I am wondering why someone would cut away over 50% of the center stanchion on a Model A Triumph. The pic shows how thin it is & the tool marks. It's why I must loosen cylinders with the gate shut - so much slop between the thrust collar & stanchion allows the assembly to pull almost off the left bearing! Something to do with its 2/4 conversion?

I believe your machine had the wrong 2/4 minute attachment fitted. If you remove the entire mainshaft/feedscrew assembly, you may find letters stamped into the pulley and/or mainshaft. A for Model A, B for Model B...

I think I recall a photo posted earlier that showed the endgate center, and it was sticking way out... I suspect the mainshaft is a mite too long for the machine. This may explain the modification of the center stanchion as well.

Good luck!

George P.

Ah ha. Yes, I did have it apart and recall a "B" inside the sliding part of the pulley assembly. I had noticed that the end-gate center's color shows it spent a good part of its life about ¼" farther inside the gate; the 2/4 must have been added 30+ years ago, not in the early days.

Looking at the CL ad, again - "...has the Triumph Model B upgrade mandrel, not the A as is common on A machines" .. I didn't know what an "upgrade mandrel" is - apparently, it isn't!

Meanwhile, it works well except for the slightly annoying cylinder removal procedure. Maybe I can find someone who has the 'A' kit but needs a 'B' kit ! Thanks for your help!

p.s. - The green arrow shows my recent adjustment, to stop the pulley/repeater-gear from bumping the left stanchion; the red arrow shows approx where the age discoloration changes - it's hard to see in the image.

p.p.s - Now I assume the repeater & 2/4 were applied as a unit to this machine, as the repeater has its own custom pulley AND because the pinstriping is worn where it would've been protected, if the repeater had been there long ago.