Bendix Tandem Hub- questions

[user 135]

I just picked up a Scwhinn S2 wheelset with a Bendix Tandem hub and heavy gauge spokes. I can't find anything online, but it looks from the diagrams as having the same design as the RB2. Is the only difference the drilling for the thicker spokes?

It is pretty mucked up with sticky grease at the moment. The retarder spring doesn't look like it does much but that may change when it is cleaned and lubed. What is the history on these hubs?

 

[c.p.odom]

OK this is just a vague memory but I remember something about the splines where the flanges are pressed on being beefed up to take the extra torque.

 

[LowpowerD]

I have a Bendix red band hub shell that's punched out for .120 spokes. Just from looking at, it doesn't look any different than any other red band except for the spoke hole diameter and the outside diameter of the flanges.
I took some measurements with my trusty Mitutoyo calipers and...
the only differences are those stated above. Flange dia on the RB2 is 2.281, heavy duty is 2.455, Holes on the RB2 are .113, the heavy duty has .1405. Even the spoke hole locations are the same. So they both use the same length spokes.
Everything else is the same with in a thousandth or two. Man, those Bendix machinist were good!
I hope this helps some.
EDIT: to add that the guts from one to another should interchange as long as they're both red bands.

I also have a skip tooth Bendex with .120" holes. The only things I have to stack it up against are some Morrow hubs. One in .080 and one in .105. I can do some measuring if you like?

 

[Wildcat]

I use a Bendix Tandem hub on my old Schwinn, other than the brake arm and spokes, looks the same. I repacked it once, and everything looked the same as the standard.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

I'm not dead sure on this but I think the tandems used the same wheel set as the Schwinn Heavy Duty.

 

[Jpromo]

Man, those Bendix machinist were good!

They had to be, those guys made parts for airplanes