- Triumph Thunderbird
Infobox Motorcycle
name = Triumph Thunderbird
aka = 6T, TR65
manufacturer = Triumph Engineering Co Ltd
production = 1949 – 2003 (not continuous)
predecessor = Speed Twin
successor =
parent_company =
class =
power = 34bhp at 6,300rpm
torque =
platform =
engine = Four-stroke Parallel-twin
transmission = Four speed
rake =
trail =
wheelbase = 55in
length =
width = 27.5in
seat_height = 31.5in
dry_weight = 385lb
wet_weight = 397lb
fuel_economy =
fuel_capacity =
related = Tiger T110
similar =The Triumph Thunderbird was a British
motorcycle introduced in 1949 [Bacon 1995, p. 52.] and produced in its original form until 1966. The name was used twice more for new and distinct Triumph models.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. [Davies 1998, p. 105.] The type was launched publicly at
Montlhéry nearParis 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. [Davies 1998, p. 108.] The Thunderbird brought Triumph considerable publicity withMarlon 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. [Bacon 1995, p. 190.]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. [Bacon 1995, p. 104.] 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. [Bacon 1995, p. 106. ] 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.
Hinckley produced Thunderbird
The new Triumph company based at
Hinckley introduced theTriumph Thunderbird 900 in the autumn of 1994. [McDiarmid 1998, p. 74.] It was instrumental in Triumph's successful re-introduction to the US market. The 'Thunderbird' name and retro styling harks back to the golden years (for Triumph) of the1960s . 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 convert|98|bhp|abbr=on. The engine is externally redesigned to give a period look.Several variants were produced, including the
Triumph Legend 964cc , Adventurer and Thunderbird Sport. The Thunderbird was produced until 2003 and the Thunderbird Sport until 2004.Thunderbird 1600 Cruiser
In July 2008 Triumph announced the new
Triumph Thunderbird 1600 , a liquid-cooled parallel twin cruiser with 6-gears and a belt drive. [ [http://www.triumph.co.uk/uk/News_10720.aspx Triumph Motorcycles - News ] ]References
Notes
Bibliography
cite book
last = Bacon
first = Roy
authorlink =
title = Triumph Twins and Triples
publisher = Niton Publishing
year = 1995
isbn = 1-85579-026-2cite book
last = Davies
first = Ivor
authorlink =
title = Triumph-The Complete Story
publisher = The Crowood Press
year = 1991
isbn = 1-86126-149-7cite book
last = McDiarmid
first = Mac
authorlink =
title = Triumph-The Legend
publisher = Parragon Publishing
year = 1998
isbn = 0-75252-080-6External links
* [http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20%20A/Triumph%20Thunderbird%20TR65%2081.jpgPhoto of a TR65 Thunderbird]
* [http://www.bikepics.com/triumph/thunderbird/ Photo of a modern 'Hinckley' Thunderbird at bikepics.com]
* [http://www.mcnews.com.au/2009_Bikes/Triumph/Gallery/images/Thunderbird_LHS.jpgPhoto of a 1600cc Thunderbird Cruiser at MCN.com]
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