Ron Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 The Talflows tank top air filter was made by the Talboys Manufacturing co. I've just acquired one from a batch that turned up in Pakistan. I've decided to fit it to my M20 just to have something different. The original Vokes on my M20 will be moved to another bike. Here is a photographic record of how they were found....A bit bent, twisted and rusted. I've managed to get the four top screws and the three brass adjustable feet undone. I've stripped the base part, knocked some dents out and heat shrunk the base to get it near flat again. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 Strangely, the screw on carb adapter is far to big for a 276 carb? I measured the thread with a vernier and it's 1/8" too big. So what on Earth carb was it designed for? I've got another adapter coming which should fit the bill. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 Ah Ha! It's been pointed out to me that the elbow was not connected directly to the carb. There's a short intermediate joining tube, which would be extremely hard to find or make. So I'll stick with my plan of fitting it directly to the carb with a different adapter. Same as a Vokes filter. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted February 4, 2021 Share Posted February 4, 2021 Hi Ron, You said you got the filter from India, well the picture here could be an India contract M20 as it has the oil pressure 'tell tale', and I know that was part of their spec. regards, Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 Indeed Richard, that is one of the M20's Prepared for the India Office. Presumably they were delivered with the Talflows fitted. The MoS ledgers quote that 13,472 air cleaners by Talboys were sent to Indian in 1943. No wonder a small haul has been found. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 I've stripped the lid and knocked a few dents out. That old red oxide certainly did a good job at preserving these for 78 years. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super6 Posted February 4, 2021 Share Posted February 4, 2021 Are these for dusty environments or just a different type of filter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 Yes. For dusty places. Like a Vokes tank top filter, but I'd say, not as efficient. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Nice Ron! was still some work to get the dents out! Did you find any additional numbers stamped on the top? some of mine have that. Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 8, 2021 Author Share Posted February 8, 2021 There were no extra numbers Lex. The top has four coats of high build red oxide now with W&D after each coat. So top coat next. Calendar just arrived.👍😊 Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 8, 2021 Author Share Posted February 8, 2021 I've finished the Talflow. I cut some new felt for the filter by using the old manky one as a pattern. I forgot to take a picture before I buttoned it up. I've just got the holding straps to make from a cardboard template. If anyone is interested, I've now got this good quality repro Vokes, surplus to requirements. The elbow is also repro and the plate is one of the latest from "Vintage Brass Plates" £390. PM me off line is best. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Very nice Ron! What to do for the rubber "feet" ?? I have a drawing for the Vokes ones btw. Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 8, 2021 Author Share Posted February 8, 2021 I think the Vokes were originally Felt. But I use suitable size grommets from "Vintage Supplies" . I have these ones which I think will fit the bill for the Talflow. They have hollows for the feet to sit in. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Ok, great Ron, but only the Australian Vokes had felt feet, all the others rubber! we found many filters with them still fitted. Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 8, 2021 Author Share Posted February 8, 2021 PS. Vokes kit includes protector pad. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 Vokes is sold. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 Nice job Ron, I look forward to seeing it fitted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 Trial fit. I now need to respray the tank and put it's correct C number on after 32 years of ownership. Ron 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary0003 Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 Hi Ron, Ive just bought one of those Tall-flow airboxes from Pakistan. Where could I get one of those 90 degree bends to fit it to my 276 carb please? Thanks Gary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 8, 2022 Author Share Posted July 8, 2022 I think I might have one Gary.......And an adapter that screws on the carb. I'll check later or in the morning. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 I might have one too, also complete filters and hoses, Vokes too, and the adjustable connectors, but not that many left. Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 23, 2022 Share Posted July 23, 2022 Nice Job, Ron! I am interested to know if anyone has any period photos of Talflow filters being fitted to a Norton 16H? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 23, 2022 Author Share Posted July 23, 2022 That would be interesting to see! Have you checked out Rob VdB's site https://www.wdnorton.nl/ So far I've only got original pix of four M20's with Talflow's and all in Burma. The India Office 16H's seem to have been fitted with a filter by the rear wheel. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 23, 2022 Share Posted July 23, 2022 Thanks Ron. I had a good read of Robs website, very informative. If I have read the ‘air cleaner’ page correctly a photo has now surfaced showing this particular filter, fitted to a 16H, I just haven’t seen it…..I shall keep looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 23, 2022 Author Share Posted July 23, 2022 (edited) My own thoughts are that unlike the Vokes filter that were standard issue or fitted at the factory, the Talflow's were shipped out to the far east and fitted as required. I'm always willing to learn more. Ron PS Steve. The way I read that is "no pictures have been seen so far" with the date 2020 of the publication of that article. Maybe email Rob for confirmation. Other wise I do have a complete Vokes here, selling for Lex!! Edited July 23, 2022 by Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.