Triumph Thunderbird

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Triumph Thunderbird
Manufacturer Triumph Engineering Co Ltd
Also called 6T, TR65
Production 1949 – 2003 (not continuous)
Predecessor Speed Twin
Engine Four-stroke Parallel-twin
Power 34bhp at 6,300rpm
Transmission Four speed
Wheelbase 55in
Dimensions W 27.5in
Seat height 31.5in
Weight 385lb (dry), 397lb (wet)
Related Tiger T110

The Triumph Thunderbird is a British motorcycle introduced in 1949[1] and produced in its original form until 1966. The name was used twice more for new and distinct Triumph models.

Contents

[edit] Original Thunderbird

To capture the American market, the 6T Thunderbird used a variant of the earlier Speed Twin's parallel twin engine, bored out from 500 cc to 650 cc to give the added horsepower American customers demanded.[2] The type was launched publicly at Montlhéry near Paris where three standard production bikes were ridden around a circuit by a team of riders who between them averaged a speed of 92mph over a distance of 500 miles (800km at 148kph). All three machines were ridden to the circuit and back to the Meriden factory.[3] The Thunderbird brought Triumph considerable publicity with Marlon Brando's 1953 motion picture, The Wild One, in which he rode a 1950 6T Thunderbird. In 1962 the cost of a new Thunderbird was £278.[4]

[edit] Meriden co-operative Thunderbird

The Triumph worker's co-operative at the Meriden factory re-introduced the Thunderbird model name to their range in April 1981.[5] Their TR65 650cc parallel twin was a short-stroke version of the 750cc T140 Bonneville engine. A trail version of the TR65 was also introduced in 1981 but was dropped from the range due to poor sales in late 1982.[6] Planned for 1984, a custom-styled and further sleeved-down TR6 600cc Thunderbird was exhibited but not produced, the co-operative closing down towards the end of 1983.

[edit] Hinckley produced Thunderbird

Triumph 900 Thunderbird
Triumph 900 Thunderbird

The new Triumph company based at Hinckley re-introduced the Thunderbird name in the autumn of 1994.[7] It was instrumental in Triumph's successful re-introduction to the US market. The styling harks back to the golden years (for Triumph) of the 1960s. It was the first "Classic" Triumph to be produced by the resurgent company.

It uses a variant of the 885 cc triple engine, detuned for more torque at lower rpm. Peak power is down to 69 bhp from 98 bhp (73 kW). The engine is externally redesigned to give a period look.

Several variants were produced, including the Legend, Adventurer and Thunderbird Sport. The Thunderbird was produced until 2003.

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Bacon 1995, p. 52.
  2. ^ Davies 1998, p. 105.
  3. ^ Davies 1998, p. 108.
  4. ^ Bacon 1995, p. 190.
  5. ^ Bacon 1995, p. 104.
  6. ^ Bacon 1995, p. 106.
  7. ^ McDiarmid 1998, p. 74.

[edit] Bibliography

Bacon, Roy (1995). Triumph Twins and Triples. Niton Publishing. ISBN 1-85579-026-2. 

Davies, Ivor (1991). Triumph-The Complete Story. The Crowood Press. ISBN 1-86126-149-7. 

McDiarmid, Mac (1998). Triumph-The Legend. Parragon Publishing. ISBN 0-75252-080-6. 

[edit] External links

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