Britbike forum Forums British Motorcycle specific Brands Triumph bulletin board Wassell Carburettors - 1952 Triumph 6T

I am wanting to purchase for a new carburettor for my 1952 Triumph 6T, which is a single carb model.

I have come across the Wassell range and these seem to tick the box for me, however I am not sure which model I need, I have contacted a few companies and have had conflicting replies. I am wondering if anyone could help me to identify which model I need and which slide and jets, please see below:

The first company said i needed the 600 series 26mm model however did not reply with any slide or jet sizes:

26mm
https://www.classicmotorcyclespares...r-wassell-concentric-mk1-600-series.html

The second company sent the below and it looks seems for a single carb application you will need to change to a 3.5 slide and a 230 main jet, but I am unsure whether I would need the 28mm or 30mm model.

28mm
https://www.britishbikebits.com/928-300-wassell-carburettor
30mm
https://www.britishbikebits.com/930-300-wassell-carburettor

Many thanks in advance.

What was the stock carburetor? Wassels are same as AMAL re size and jetting. Sorry I can't be more helpful. I have Wassels and like them.

The stock carbs were SU MC2 which don't seem to be available anymore. It's weird as the other models in the workshop manual all had AMAL Monobloc carbs, so I am not sure why Triumph went with SU carbs just for this model, which is why I am finding it hard to find any useful information on alternatives.

I think you’ll get on ok with 28 mm, unless your manifold and ports are sized for 1”, in which case 26 mm would probably be better.

If I remember right the early 6T have the same size as the 500 but with other main jet.
I have a 26 in my 500 pre unit with a 180 main jet. The manual specified a smaller one but I have a bigger pinion and open exhausts. Also I use the bike at top gear almost all the time.

AMAL carbs are made by Burlen Fuels in Salisbury.
They also own SU.

Personally, if I owned a 52, I would buy AMAL over Wassell

If the SU is not available I would think an AMAL 276 or 289 (size dependent) would be the way to go as the Monobloc was not in use then with the Triumphs.

Gordo

Hi jamiebridge, I've notice lots of problems after owners bought Wassell carbs on the forums. I have no personal experience with Wassell carbs.

I can say from personal experience the modern new AMAL is a really good carb. Could you fit Concentric Premier? These are really good carbs & with the anodized slide have outstanding durability. Cost is higher, but I feel worth every penny.

I've changed compression ratios etc. It still takes similar mixture & same carb bore. What is the bore on the intake manifold?

I would email AMAL & see what they recommend. I found Phil very helpful. I'm near San Francisco so email conversations took a day at the shortest each. But it worked out good.
Don

AMAL have not been able to make carbs for many months, I spoke with them early this week and they are expecting to start shipping in June.

Their policy appears to be to make a batch of say Concentrics and then move on to something else for a while, regardless of the demand? Kind of like how the Sovjet production planning used to be. Look where it got them. Concentrics seems to be "Temporarily out of stock" most of the time. No wonder there's a market for Wassels.

SR

They don’t only tell us what we want- they tell us when we want it too!

Triumphs were also made in batches by model.....

And they compelled dealers to take the unpopular models.

Burley were genuinely unable to get the bodies made, it cost them dearly in lost sales not to be able to ship product. They are one of the more approachable manufacturers IME.

Only the first batch Concentrics from Wassell had a blocked passage…. That was a long time ago and solved since…

It is a fine product now “but wassell can not do much good in the eyes of some (and parrots) “ but the get better and better with their products..

But as said earlyer, a AMAL 276 or even 376 (monoblock) is more period correct than a Concentric on a ‘52 Triumph and when bought new, both very fine carbs…

AMAL /Burlen aren’t a multinational conglomerate.
It’s 20 people in a shed. (Exaggeration)

I’m just glad they exist

what on the bike now , an SU ?
these , I believe , use a different manifold ( with vertical studs )
and the closest substitute manifold for an AMAL would be a later 6T or T110 . ?

is the 6T of mild enough build to still use older carb specs ?
(then 27~ 28 mm )

an AMAL , substitute for the SU of the time , could be a pre-monoblok
like this ,... probably don't want to go here , this is over 300 £ ( and seems rmildly jetted ? )
https://www.feked.com/amal-276fg-1at-pre-monobloc-11-16-carburettor-triumph-6t-thunderbird.html



specs says 1+ 1/16" , which rounds up to 27 mm

AMAL 276FG/1AT Pre-Monobloc 1+1/16 Carburettor - Triumph 6T Thunderbird
Suitable for
Triumph 650cc 6T 1951-1953
1+1/16" Bore
140 Main Jet
107 Needle Jet
3.5 Slide

Quite. I do sympatize with them, it can't be easy. However, from a customer perspective the situation is frustrating. There's only so much one can do with distorted and worn carb bodies. I have felt bad for buying Wassel rip offs, I'd rather support Burlen/AMAL, but when those are what I can get...

SR

If you're concerned about appearances, a bike of that age won't look 'right' with a Concentric (whether Wassell or AMAL). I didn't know that Burlen were having such difficulties producing Concentrics. I hope they get things sorted soon. Their products are far superior to Wassell's offerings.

The AMAL Concentrics I bought are not far superior to anything.

original Jawa CZ Jikov carb carburetor rare

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324993023036

bolts right on to a 2-inch manifold.

Hi TinkererToo; do you say that they are unable to get the bodies made; so are not they that fabricate the carburetors?

I expect that they do their own machining, but AFAIK the carb bodies are die cast, a specialised process .

Don- When I looked through this site for threads on Wassell carbs it seems that Wassell carbs are good and a lot cheaper.

Dave