Triumph TR65 Thunderbird
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Triumph |
|---|---|
| Production | 1981–1983 |
| Engine | 649 cc OHV air cooled twin |
| Power | 42 bhp (31 kW) at 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 37 lb·ft (50 N·m) @ 5,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed gearbox to chain final drive |
| Fuel capacity | 10.5 L (2.3 imp gal; 2.8 US gal) |
The Triumph TR65 Thunderbird is a British motorcycle that was made by Triumph Motorcycles at the Triumph worker's co-operative at the Meriden factory, when they re-introduced the Triumph Thunderbird model name to their range in April 1981.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Development
The TR65 was a 650 cc parallel twin with a short-stroke version of the 750 cc T140 Bonneville engine. This made the engine livelier with a better throttle response and maximum torque produced at higher engine speeds. The TR65 also has a single 30 mm Amal carburettor and a mild cam.
Aimed at the economy market, it was cheaper to insure than the 750 and could return 54 mpg-imp (5.2 L/100 km; 45 mpg-US). Costs were reduced by having a single silencer, using points instead of electronic ignition and a drum rear brake instead of the more expensive disc. There was no tachometer and the warning lights and ignition switch were housed in their pod instead. Cycle parts, including the Girling rear suspension unit springs - were painted in satin black rather than bright chromed or polished, the exhaust system being black chromed to match. Dunlop Gold Seal economy tyres were fitted instead of the more expensive Avon Roadrunners specified for the 750 roadster range. Triumph included newly introduced European components such as German ULO direction indicators and Italian Raedelli whell rims and Paioli petrol taps. The original 'paper dart' Thunderbird logo designed by Edward Turner for the first Thunderbirds in 1949 was retained on the side panel badge as a reminder of the model's lineage.
Triumph unexcitingly described the TR65 in their publicity poster as Performance With Economy. According to Meriden's records held by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club, the first TR65 was built on 17 June 1981 priced at £1,829.82.
Although produced in 'USA' (2 gallon tank, high handlebars) as well as 'UK/Rest of the World' (low handlebars, 4 gallon tank) cosmetic specifications , no TR65 was exported to the United States because, as with the 750 cc TR7V Tiger, from mid-1978 on, the fitted Amal Mk 1 carburettor offended that country's Environmental Protection Agency's regulations. The TR65 was exported to Western Europe and to British Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand albeit in small numbers.
A TR65S Thunderbird albeit one factory-fitted with the electronic ignition and electric starter options (hence the 'S' suffix) and after-market Hedingham leading link front forks carried Richard and Mopsa English and a Squire sidecar around the world from 1982 to 1986. The journey is detailed in their book, Full Circle and their TR65S combination is, since 2010, on display at the London Motorcycle Museum.
[edit] Models
All UK/RoW TR65 models were to come with the newly-designed, Italian-sourced, 4 gallon fuel tank (pictured) but, in his 2009 book, Save the Triumph Bonneville !, former Triumph chairman, John Rosamond details shortages of this part meant the older 4 gallon 'breadbin'-style tank was initially also used.
A trail version with electronic ignition, the TR65T, was also introduced in 1981 but, together with the earlier 750 cc version was dropped from the range due to poor sales in late 1982, perhaps understandable given that it was priced the same as the 750 cc version.[2]
According to Triumph's 1982/3 range brochure, the cycle parts of that season's 'USA' styled Thunderbird dispensed with the satin black finish, instead adopting bright chrome, polished alloy, a tachometer, twin bright-chromed exhausts and Marzocchi rear suspension units which came, ironically, with black springs as standard. The UK version added the twin exhausts, Marzocchis and tachometer but retained the satin black cycle parts of the 1981/2 models. Whilst both versions retained their contact breaker points ignition, they were now, like the 750 cc models, shod with Avon Roadrunner tyres. There were price differentials for 1982 USA and UK/RoW styles, for instance being priced at DM8495 and DM8395 respectively in the important German market.
Ten TR65 were modified as Dernys for bicycle speed trials work / pace bikes at the Leicester Velodrome although they were since located at London's Herne Hill facility.
Planned for 1984 and styled after the Triumph T140 TSX, a custom model and further sleeved-down TR60 600 cc Thunderbird was exhibited but not produced, the co-operative closing down towards the end of 1983. The scheduled price was £2181. The prototype Thunderbird 600 was converted by the factory into a conventional TR65 to fulfil a Ministry of Defence order. From the Meriden Triumph factory production records held by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club, that TR65, made on 1 June 1983, was the last 650 cc motorcycle and the second last motorcycle made at Meriden before the factory's closure that August.
The model pictured, from the National Motorcycle Museum, was originally sent by Triumph to dealers, Chatmans of Evesham at the end of June 1981 and registered in mid August that year.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Richard & Mopsa English Full Circle: Around The World On A Motorcycle & Sidecar ISBN 10: 085429662X ISBN 13: 9780854296620 (Foulis / Haynes 1989)
- Richard & Mopsa English One Lap Of The Earth (Cycle World magazine)
- Triumph Motorcycle (Meriden) Ltd publicity material
- John Rosamond Save The Triumph Bonneville! The Inside Story Of The Meriden Workers' Co-op ISBN 978-1-845842-65-9(Veloce 2009)
- Danny Defazio Thunderbirds Are Still Go (Classic Bike magazine)
- [vague] Contemporary road tests from Motor Cycle News, Motor Cycle Weekly, Superbike, Motorcycling, Bike, Motorcycle Mechanics, Classic Bike magazines
