Triumph Trident (1972 T150V)

[flatfour]

For anyone who might still be interested, I thought that I would provide an update on living with the Trident, after just over two years of ownership and some 5,200 miles.

Firstly, over two winters, the finish has remained excellent, paint is still deep and shines well and both chrome and aluminium have stood up well to the weather (the bike is garaged and cleaned very regularly, however it is ridden several times each week unless there is wet salt on the roads or conditions are really awful).

In terms of routine maintenance oil and filter changes, cleaning of gauze strainers etc. has taken place twice each year, with a gearbox oil change once a year. The drive chain has been adjusted twice in 5,000 miles, the primary drive chain has not needed adjustment so far. Valve clearances have been checked annually, however little adjustment has been needed. The clutch, brakes etc. have not needed any attention, although as I fitted new tyres a short while ago, I took the opportunity to fit new brake shoes front and rear. With electronic ignition fitted, timing has remained undisturbed and providing that Champion plugs are fitted, starting and running have remained very reliable.

Failures over the period have been as follows: Both handlebar switches have lost one or more functions, with a need to dismantle them (new parts no longer available) and attend to the copper tracks or ball bearing/spring pressures of contacts.

Choke cables (there are four in total) have broken (a real issue, as the chokes are held open by cable, so a broken cable makes the bike virtually unrideable) and, as a complete assembly was not available when first needed, I replaced separate cables, only later to have the plastic junction box break. Luckily, by that time, a complete assembly could be obtained.

More seriously, when riding home from a local bike meet one evening, there was a loud bang, followed by complete loss of drive. Looking behind, I could see that the complete drive chain was lay in the road! This, however I think is entirely due to a previous owner cutting down the standard 108 link chain to 106 links to suit this bike's U.S. specification and, rather than using a soft link to join the chain, refitting the original endplate and trying to flatten the pin on a normal hardlink. The spit - link was intact after this happened, and the chain was otherwise sound.

Whilst obtaining a new chain was straightforward, the chain guard (steel) had suffered damage. Luckily a new chain was available, however the rear fixing bracket was some 1/12" further back and of a different style. Subsequent investigations revealed that no fewer than four different chain guards were made in the day, now reduced to one reproduction, so cutting and refitting the bracket was necessary.

Finally, last week the headlight bulb blew its dipped beam. I removed it to test and found that it was dated 1999, so decided that age and vibration must have taken its toll. I ordered a couple of new bulbs (now Lucas "Vintage", so not available off the shelf) meantime, whilst riding around until the new bulbs arrived, main beam and the front pilot light bulbs blew as well. I checked the charge rate and found it was peaking at 17.8 volts, so suspected that the zener diode had failed. This time, whilst checking suppliers for a solid state rectifier/regulator conversion, I came across someone locally selling the item. The supplier asked to test the zener diode to be sure it was at fault (it was) and so I have now fitted the modern alternative. (Zener diodes are no longer available!)

So, at the end of my two + years and 5,200 miles, comparison with my previous Honda's Benelli Sei, BMW's etc. has led me to conclude that:

The Triumph is better finished than all but the BMW's  and built with excellent quality materials. It is the only "old" bike that I have owned that needs little or no extra care over winter.

In terms of reliability it has not been as good as the others, except for the Benelli, which it has surpassed in this respect.

Maintenance wise the Triumph has need less attention than all except the BMW, as the drive chain etc. has not required regular adjustment.

Finally, where riding pleasure is concerned (subjective of course) the Triumph is surpassed only by the Benelli. It sounds terrific, handles superbly and is very light to maneuver when stationery.

I hope that this might be of interest!

[Johnwebley]

Thank you for that

I always liked the triples,

Does yours have Ray guns?



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[flatfour]

John, mine has the megaphone type silencers.

My understanding is that "ray guns" were only fitted to the early four speed models, with the "bread bin" style tank. This setup was replaced with a conventional Triumph tank and megaphone silencers in a package called the "beauty kit" for the American market, due to poor sales of the original version. This style was subsequently adopted for all markets.

My bike (April 1972) has the later rounded tank, conical hub brakes with a right foot gear change and megaphones. It is purple and white.

If you want to send me your email address, I can send a photo to you if you like.

[K2-K6]

Certainly an interesting account of your ownership flatfour.

I feel these triple are one of the most charismatic of British bike industry product, sounding so nice and having quite a race history too.

I don't see that many out and about, but usually have a chat to owners if they are around.  I really liked that era of racing, with so many turned out for match races then. Also John Cooper's participation in UK and Daytona etc.

Good to see you're getting quite a few miles out to enjoy it as well.

[Johnwebley]

Here is one I see fairly often,

On of the early ones UK model, if I were very picky,I would like the red version,

I really like the styling

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[Bryanj]

Ever seen the "Quadrant"? I saw it on the road once many years ago

[Johnwebley]

Ever seen the "Quadrant"? I saw it on the road once many years ago

Yes, in the early 80s

I saw it being ridden in Ross on Wye

Is it at the National Motorcycle Museum now?

I assume there was more than one

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[SteveD CB500K0]

I’ve seen it at the NMM.

An interesting exercise, but nowhere near production ready.


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[taysidedragon]

Yep. The Quadrant is in the National motorcycle museum. As far as I remember there was only one prototype built.

[flatfour]

I believe that the only red models were the BSA Rocket Three, offered in "Flamboyant Red". The Triumph and BSA were very similar, although the BSA engine's cylinders were sloped forward slightly and it used a duplex down tube frame. The Trident engine was taller, and would not fit in the duplex frame and so Triumph used their own.

I was also told that all triples were, in fact produced in the BSA factory.

Rocket Three versions are, apparently slightly more expensive to buy, however the non availability of many parts, especially trim is, apparently, a problem.

[taysidedragon]

I believe that the only red models were the BSA Rocket Three, offered in "Flamboyant Red". The Triumph and BSA were very similar, although the BSA engine's cylinders were sloped forward slightly and it used a duplex down tube frame. The Trident engine was taller, and would not fit in the duplex frame and so Triumph used their own.

I was also told that all triples were, in fact produced in the BSA factory.

Rocket Three versions are, apparently slightly more expensive to buy, however the non availability of many parts, especially trim is, apparently, a problem.

The later T160 Trident and the X75 Hurricane used the better looking sloping cylinder engine.
I think the engines and later bikes were built in the BSA factory because of the workers lock-in at Meriden.

[Rozabikes Tim]

Ever seen the "Quadrant"? I saw it on the road once many years ago

Well I never. New one on me. Just googled it and 4th cylinder grafted on to one side giving lopsided engine for various reasons. .... WTF!!

Triumph Quadrant - Wikipedia https://share.google/rH4MmiacafehMmotI

[Laverda Dave]

The London Motorcycle Museum had a few Trident prototype engines on show before it was forced to close by the local council (they doubled the rent). The collection was broken up and went to auction, I don't know what happened to all the display engines.
I always liked the Tridents and they were a great bike considering they were a bit of a lash up by BSA/Triumph who binned the idea of the Hopwood/Hele modular engine concept. It could have been a winner  but management went in favour of the Trident engine that used the architecture of a 500 twin with the extra cylinder grafted on. Still a great engine/bike though and a shame the bigger motor never reached production.
When I started my biking life in 1978 you could still buy a new Trident (and Commando) despite them both being out of production for a couple of years. Strangely I always liked the yellow/white tank T160. Tut, me and yellow bikes😳.

[florence]

Just make your own 

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-british-motorcycles/triumph-quadrant/

What a bike!

[SteveD CB500K0]

Triumph made the Daytona 1000 in the 90s, added a cylinder to the Daytona 750 triple.

I had one in my barn (it was Eamon’s).

Cylinder #1 stuck out on the left hand side.




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