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{{short description|British motorcycle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox Motorcycle
{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name=Triumph Bandit
|name=Triumph Bandit
|image=[[Image:Triumph Bandit 350cc.jpg|frameless|upright=1.25||1971 Triumph Bandit T35R production prototype]]
|image=File:Triumph Bandit.jpg
|caption= Triumph Bandit on display at the [[National Motorcycle Museum (UK)|National Motorcycle Museum]]
|caption = 1971 Triumph Bandit T35R production prototype
|aka=T35R / T35SS
|aka=T35R / T35SS
|manufacturer=[[Triumph Engineering|Triumph]]
|manufacturer=[[Triumph Engineering|Triumph]]
Line 16: Line 19:
|height=
|height=
|seat height=
|seat height=
|power= {{convert|34|hp|abbr=on}} @ 9,000 rpm
|power= {{convert|34|hp|abbr=on}} at 9,000 rpm
|torque= 21ft.lb @ 7000rpm
|torque= 21ft.lb at 7000rpm
|dry weight= {{convert|345|lb|kg}}
|dry_weight= {{convert|345|lb|kg}}
|fuel_capacity= {{convert|13.5|l|abbr=on}}
|fuel_capacity= {{convert|13.5|L|abbr=on}}
|oil_capacity=4 3/4 pints
|oil_capacity=4 3/4 pints
|transmission= wet multiplate clutch, five speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] gearbox
|transmission= wet multiplate clutch, five speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] gearbox
}}
}}


The '''Triumph Bandit''' was a British [[motorcycle]] manufactured as a prototype by [[Triumph Engineering Co Ltd|Triumph]] in 1970. Originally designed by [[Edward Turner]] (who was already retired from Triumph) as his last project but subsequently substantially modified at Triumph by a greatly critical [[Bert Hopwood]]<ref name="autogenerated1981">'Whatever Happened To The British Motorcycle Industry ?' by Bert Hopwood (Haynes 1981)ISBN 0 85429 459 7</ref> and [[Doug Hele]].<ref name="autogenerated2">Bandit In The Hills (The Classic Motorcycle 11/84)</ref> Despite their work, the Bandit never went into commercial production,<ref>{{Citation |title=Edward Turner: The Man Behind the Motorcycles |first=Jeff |last=Clew |publisher=Veloce Publishing |year=2007 |isbn= 978-1-84584-065-5 |page=133 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Yi4sPHUiTiUC&pg=PA133 }}</ref> and only five have survived, making them very rare.<ref name="survivors">{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/coventry-evening-telegraph-england/mi_7969/is_2008_March_1/gift-bike-real-blast/ai_n34949444/|title=Gift bike is a blast from past|last=Crutchlow|first=Dayle|date=2008|work= Coventry Evening Telegraph |accessdate=28 November 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Doug Hele stated that the model was dropped because design doubts such as the rapid wear of contact breaker points, did not justify the 'real money' cost of dies for components such as cylinder heads, the company then being in 'real financial trouble'.<ref name="autogenerated3">Behind The Bandit's Rise And Fall (The Classic Motorcycle 12/84)</ref> This was despite the fact that Hele expected full production to follow after twelve pre-production models were made. Indeed, the Bandit was included in the 1971 brochure and publicity photographs taken at [[Umberslade Hall]] and featuring British speedway rider and Triumph production tester [[Tony Lomas]] with the British model [[Carol Cleveland]] (famous for British TV comedy [[Monty Python]]) had already been produced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fedrotriple.it/1971_bandit350.html |title=Triumph Fury 350cc (1971) |publisher=Fedrotriple.it |date= |accessdate=2012-02-04}}</ref><ref>BSA/Triumph Present: Power Set '71 by Brad Jones (Spangle Publishing 2012)</ref> Hopwood did note that the production release date was constantly delayed from spring 1971 with even autumn 1972 suggested gravely affecting BSA-Triumph's credibility with dealers especially in the critical US market.<ref name="autogenerated1981"/>
The '''Triumph Bandit''' was a British [[motorcycle]] manufactured as a prototype by [[Triumph Engineering Co Ltd|Triumph]] in 1970. Originally designed by [[Edward Turner (motorcycle designer)|Edward Turner]] (who was already retired from Triumph) as his last project it was subsequently substantially modified at Triumph by a greatly critical [[Bert Hopwood]]<ref name="autogenerated1981">'Whatever Happened To The British Motorcycle Industry ?' by Bert Hopwood (Haynes 1981){{ISBN|0 85429 459 7}}</ref> and [[Doug Hele]].<ref name="autogenerated2">Bandit In The Hills (The Classic Motorcycle 11/84)</ref> Despite their work, the Bandit never went into commercial production,<ref>{{Citation |title=Edward Turner: The Man Behind the Motorcycles |first=Jeff |last=Clew |publisher=Veloce Publishing |year=2007 |isbn= 978-1-84584-065-5 |page=133 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yi4sPHUiTiUC&pg=PA133 }}</ref> and only five have survived, making them very rare.<ref name="survivors">{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/coventry-evening-telegraph-england/mi_7969/is_2008_March_1/gift-bike-real-blast/ai_n34949444/|title=Gift bike is a blast from past|last=Crutchlow|first=Dayle|date=2008|website= Coventry Evening Telegraph |accessdate=28 November 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
Doug Hele stated that the model was dropped because design doubts such as the rapid wear of contact breaker points, did not justify the 'real money' cost of dies for components such as cylinder heads, the company then being in 'real financial trouble'.<ref name="autogenerated3">Behind The Bandit's Rise And Fall (The Classic Motorcycle 12/84)</ref> This was despite the fact that Hele had initially expected full production to follow after twelve pre-production models were made.
Indeed, the Bandit was included in the 1971 brochure and publicity photographs taken at [[Umberslade Hall]] featuring British speedway rider and Triumph production tester [[Tony Lomas]] with British model [[Carol Cleveland]] (famous for British TV comedy [[Monty Python]]) had already been produced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fedrotriple.it/1971_bandit350.html |title=Triumph Fury 350cc (1971) |publisher=Fedrotriple.it |date= |accessdate=2012-02-04}}</ref><ref>BSA/Triumph Present: Power Set '71 by Brad Jones (Spangle Publishing 2012)</ref>
Hopwood did note that the production release date was constantly delayed from spring 1971 with even autumn 1972 suggested gravely affecting BSA-Triumph's credibility with dealers especially in the critical US market.<ref name="autogenerated1981"/>
It has also been suggested that the model name was to have been Toledo but that had been taken by the [[Triumph Toledo|Triumph car company]] and that the Bandit name was intended for the equivalent [[Birmingham Small Arms Company|BSA]] [[BSA Fury|model]] instead.<ref name="ReferenceA">The Triumph That Nearly Was (The Biker 6/81)</ref>
It has also been suggested that the model name was to have been Toledo but that had been taken by the [[Triumph Toledo|Triumph car company]] and that the Bandit name was intended for the equivalent [[Birmingham Small Arms Company|BSA]] [[BSA Fury|model]] instead.<ref name="ReferenceA">The Triumph That Nearly Was (The Biker 6/81)</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
Launched in 1971 the 5-speed, {{convert|349|cc|abbr=on}} double overhead cam twin cylinder Triumph Bandit delivered {{convert|34|bhp|abbr=on}} and could reach {{convert|110|mph|abbr=on}}.{{cn|date=May 2015}} Essentially the same motorcycle as the [[BSA Fury]], the Bandit represented the factory's last attempt to compete against Japanese imports.<ref name="classic">{{cite web|url=http://www.classic-motorbikes.com/stock.asp?Ref=DZ75&Lang=en|title=BSA 350 Fury SS Prototype DZ75 |accessdate=22 November 2009}}</ref>[[Image:1971 Triumph Bandit 350cc engine.jpg|thumb|left||Timing side of 1971 Triumph Bandit engine]]
Launched in 1971 the 5-speed, {{convert|349|cc|abbr=on}} double overhead cam twin cylinder Triumph Bandit delivered {{convert|34|bhp|abbr=on}} and could reach {{convert|110|mph|abbr=on}}.{{cn|date=May 2015}} Essentially the same motorcycle as the [[BSA Fury]], the Bandit represented the factory's last attempt to compete against Japanese imports.<ref name="classic">{{cite web|url=http://www.classic-motorbikes.com/stock.asp?Ref=DZ75&Lang=en|title=BSA 350 Fury SS Prototype DZ75|accessdate=22 November 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708162253/http://www.classic-motorbikes.com/stock.asp?Ref=DZ75&Lang=en|archivedate=8 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>[[File:1971 Triumph Bandit 350cc engine.jpg|thumb|left|Timing side of 1971 Triumph Bandit engine]]
The only contemporary road test was by American magazine [[Cycle Guide]] in their March 1971 issue upon a visit to the Triumph and BSA factories at [[Meriden, West Midlands|Meriden]] and [[Small Heath, Birmingham|Small Heath]], respectively.<ref name="autogenerated4">Triumph's New Radical DOHC 350 (Cycle Guide 3/71)</ref> The Bandit's petrol tank colour scheme was [[Cypress]] Green (although [[Cycle World]] identified it as Jealous Green <ref>The New BSA/Triumph 350 (Cycle World 2/71)</ref>) with white-lined black scallops above and below a metal Triumph badge with a chrome styling strip running down the top of the tank. The same paint scheme applied to the mudguards with a white-lined black stripe running down through their centre. The side panels were silver painted with black 'tombstone' style lettering stating the model name and engine size: 'Bandit 350'. The engine was all-alloy as opposed to Triumph's other twins that relied upon an iron barrel and considered by Cycle Guide to be 'beautifully finished' and 'a real thing of beauty'. Cycle Guide criticised the retention of a traditionally Triumph vertically split crankcase halves rather than adopting the Japanese practice of horizontally splitting them. Despite this, it was noted that the engine was oil tight. The small diameter instruments and foot pegs thought mounted too far forward came in for criticism as did the poor conical hub rear brake performance, unlike the 'great' front brake. Lever travel between gears was felt to be too long although the clutch operation was 'silky smooth'. The electrical system was twin coil and 12 volt and an electric starter was offered as an option. Carburetion was by two [[Amal (carburettor)|Amal]] 27mm carburetors. Cycle Guide were disappointed that the engine could not be expanded beyond 350cc but praised the engine's and exhausts' quietness. Two exhaust systems, a low level ('T35R') and high level (the 'T35SS' Street Scrambler version), were offered, the former offering more top speed. The low level exhaust system was finished in bright chrome, the high level system in matt black with a stainless steel heat shield. The T35SS version also came with what the brochure described as 'detachable electrics'. Tyres for both versions were the same, [[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop]] K70; 3.25 x 18 inches for the front and 3.50 x 18 inches for the rear. Compression ratio was also the same for both : 9.5:1.
The only contemporary road test was by American magazine [[Cycle Guide]] in their March 1971 issue upon a visit to the Triumph and BSA factories at [[Meriden, West Midlands|Meriden]] and [[Small Heath, Birmingham|Small Heath]], respectively.<ref name="autogenerated4">Triumph's New Radical DOHC 350 (Cycle Guide 3/71)</ref> The Bandit's petrol tank colour scheme was [[Cypress]] Green (although [[Cycle World]] identified it as Jealous Green <ref>The New BSA/Triumph 350 (Cycle World 2/71)</ref>) with white-lined black scallops above and below a metal Triumph badge with a chrome styling strip running down the top of the tank. The same paint scheme applied to the mudguards with a white-lined black stripe running down through their centre. The side panels were silver painted with black 'tombstone' style lettering stating the model name and engine size: 'Bandit 350'.
The engine was all-alloy as opposed to Triumph's other twins that relied upon an iron barrel and considered by Cycle Guide to be 'beautifully finished' and 'a real thing of beauty'. Cycle Guide criticised the retention of a traditionally Triumph vertically split crankcase halves rather than adopting the Japanese practice of horizontally splitting them. Despite this, it was noted that the engine was oil tight. The small diameter instruments and foot pegs thought mounted too far forward came in for criticism as did the poor conical hub rear brake performance, unlike the 'great' front brake. Lever travel between gears was felt to be too long although the clutch operation was 'silky smooth'.
The electrical system was twin coil and 12 volt and an electric starter was offered as an option. Carburetion was by two [[Amal (carburettor)|Amal]] 27mm carburetors. Cycle Guide were disappointed that the engine could not be expanded beyond 350cc but praised the engine's and exhausts' quietness. Two exhaust systems, a low level ('T35R') and high level (the 'T35SS' Street Scrambler version), were offered, the former offering more top speed. The low level exhaust system was finished in bright chrome, the high level system in matt black with a stainless steel heat shield. The T35SS version also came with what the brochure described as 'detachable electrics'. Tyres for both versions were the same, [[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop]] K70; 3.25 x 18 inches for the front and 3.50 x 18 inches for the rear. Compression ratio was also the same for both : 9.5:1.


Overall, the review was extremely positive concluding, the Bandit 'will run at {{convert|90|mph|abbr=on}} all day long' and Triumph would 'sell all they can crank out in the next 12 months' being 'a lot of machine for the money' (US$900).<ref name="autogenerated4"/> In the United Kingdom, a retail price of £402 was cited, some £83 less than Triumph's {{convert|500|cc|abbr=on}} [[Triumph Tiger Daytona|Daytona]] model and £91 more than their {{convert|250|cc|abbr=on}} Blazer model.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Overall, the review was extremely positive concluding, the Bandit 'will run at {{convert|90|mph|abbr=on}} all day long' and Triumph would 'sell all they can crank out in the next 12 months' being 'a lot of machine for the money' (US$900).<ref name="autogenerated4"/> In the United Kingdom, a retail price of £402 was cited, some £83 less than Triumph's {{convert|500|cc|abbr=on}} [[Triumph Tiger Daytona|Daytona]] model and £91 more than their {{convert|250|cc|abbr=on}} Blazer model.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>


==Surviving examples==
==Surviving examples==
There are said to be only five surviving Triumph Bandits<ref name="survivors" /> and one in full working order is owned by the [[British Motorcycle Charitable Trust]] which purchased it from former Meriden worker and Triumph specialist Norman Hyde, who restored the Bandit to its current condition before it was presented to the [[Coventry Transport Museum]]. The Chairman of the British Motorcycle Trust, John Kidson, decided it was an important motorcycle that should be kept for posterity, to show to the public what the British motorcycle industry were trying to do when things went wrong for them.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/articles/2008/02/28/triumph_bike_feature.shtml|title=Triumphant return to Coventry|accessdate=28 November 2009}}</ref> This Bandit was entered in the 2008 [[Vintage Motor Cycle Club|VMCC]]’s Festival of 1,000 Bikes at [[Mallory Park]] where it was reported to have run very well with smooth power all the way up to an indicated 8,000 rpm, and was a match for many bigger motorcycles, with good handling helped by the shallow steering head angle.<ref name="bmct">{{cite web|url=http://www.bmct.org/html/news.html|title=Triumphant debut for Bandit at 1000 Bikes|accessdate=28 November 2009}}</ref>
There are said to be only five surviving Triumph Bandits<ref name="survivors" /> and one in full working order is owned by the [[British Motorcycle Charitable Trust]] which purchased it from former Meriden worker and Triumph specialist Norman Hyde, who restored the Bandit to its current condition before it was presented to the [[Coventry Transport Museum]]. The Chairman of the British Motorcycle Trust, John Kidson, decided it was an important motorcycle that should be kept for posterity, to show to the public what the British motorcycle industry were trying to do when things went wrong for them.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/articles/2008/02/28/triumph_bike_feature.shtml|title=Triumphant return to Coventry|accessdate=28 November 2009}}</ref> This Bandit was entered in the 2008 [[Vintage Motor Cycle Club|VMCC]]’s Festival of 1,000 Bikes at [[Mallory Park]] where it was reported to have run very well with smooth power all the way up to an indicated 8,000 rpm, and was a match for many bigger motorcycles, with good handling helped by the shallow steering head angle.<ref name="bmct">{{cite web|url=http://www.bmct.org/html/news.html |title=Triumphant debut for Bandit at 1000 Bikes |accessdate=28 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107222349/http://bmct.org/html/news.html |archivedate=7 January 2010 }}</ref>


British magazine, [[The Classic Motorcycle]] sampled another running example, engine/frame number 00101,<ref name="autogenerated2"/> (originally owned by Triumph dealers CG Chell, then-owned by sidecar racer [[Chris Vincent (motorcycle sidecar racer)|Chris Vincent]] and now at Triumph spares dealers TMS-see photograph) and found it 'an eminently rideable motor cycle', 'imparting a great deal of pleasure as a bonus'. Tellingly, the author found that whilst Triumph 'was well able to design and build a model to match contemporary Japanese designs in engine performance, and to out-handle them on the road', the contact breaker points assembly required replacing during the ride. Testing the same machine some 3 years earlier, British magazine, [[The Biker]] commented similarly as to the performance but instead concluded that the Bandit would merely have been an 'also-ran' against the-then Japanese competition.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
British magazine, [[The Classic Motorcycle]] sampled another running example, engine/frame number 00101,<ref name="autogenerated2"/> (originally owned by Triumph dealers CG Chell, then-owned by sidecar racer [[Chris Vincent (motorcycle sidecar racer)|Chris Vincent]] and now at Triumph spares dealers TMS-see photograph) and found it 'an eminently rideable motor cycle', 'imparting a great deal of pleasure as a bonus'. Tellingly, the author found that whilst Triumph 'was well able to design and build a model to match contemporary Japanese designs in engine performance, and to out-handle them on the road', the contact breaker points assembly required replacing during the ride. Testing the same machine some 3 years earlier, British magazine, [[The Biker]] commented similarly as to the performance but instead concluded that the Bandit would merely have been an 'also-ran' against the-then Japanese competition.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>


Other surviving examples of the Bandit are on display at the [[Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycles-motorbikes.com/picture/number1848.asp |title=Motorcycles - Motorbikes - 1970 Triumph Bandit-SS |publisher=Motorcycles-motorbikes.com |date=2011-11-25 |accessdate=2012-02-04}}</ref> and the [[National Motorcycle Museum (UK)|National Motorcycle Museum]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Calder |first=Gordon |url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordoncalder/4627364361/in/set-72157623918529323 |title=Triumph 350cc DOHC Bandit - 1971 &#124; Flickr - Photo Sharing! |publisher=Flickr |date=2010-05-13 |accessdate=2012-02-04}}</ref> with a rare example left outside England being in Australia (owned by enthusiast and racer Doug Fraser.<ref>{{cite web|author=RedLeg Interactive Media - Tel +44(01223 426 013 |url=http://www.realclassic.co.uk/ridesfiles/rbr09051900.html |title=33rd All British Rally, Campbells Creek, Australia - Real Classic Bike Rides |publisher=Realclassic.co.uk |date=2009-05-19 |accessdate=2012-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kirkhousevideo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=29 |title=All British Rally 09 Pics |publisher=Kirk House Video |date= |accessdate=2012-02-04}}</ref>
Other surviving examples of the Bandit are on display at the [[Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycles-motorbikes.com/picture/number1848.asp |title=Motorcycles - Motorbikes - 1970 Triumph Bandit-SS |publisher=Motorcycles-motorbikes.com |date=2011-11-25 |accessdate=2012-02-04}}</ref> and the [[National Motorcycle Museum (UK)|National Motorcycle Museum]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Calder |first=Gordon |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordoncalder/4627364361/in/set-72157623918529323 |title=Triumph 350cc DOHC Bandit - 1971 &#124; Flickr - Photo Sharing! |publisher=Flickr |date=2010-05-13 |accessdate=2012-02-04}}</ref> with a rare example left outside England being in Australia (owned by enthusiast and racer Doug Fraser.<ref>{{cite web|author=RedLeg Interactive Media - Tel +44(01223 426 013 |url=http://www.realclassic.co.uk/ridesfiles/rbr09051900.html |title=33rd All British Rally, Campbells Creek, Australia - Real Classic Bike Rides |publisher=Realclassic.co.uk |date=2009-05-19 |accessdate=2012-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kirkhousevideo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=29 |title=All British Rally 09 Pics |publisher=Kirk House Video |date= |accessdate=2012-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051046/http://kirkhousevideo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=29 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


With no further production, there were a number of redundant Bandit frames left which were used experimentally by Meriden with their existing 650cc and 500cc motors. Although not proceeded with, both Hopwood <ref name="autogenerated1981"/> and Hele<ref name="autogenerated3"/> appreciated that these experimental machines gave a good power-weight ratio.
With no further production, there were a number of redundant Bandit frames left which were used experimentally by Meriden with their existing 650cc and 500cc motors. Although not proceeded with, both Hopwood <ref name="autogenerated1981"/> and Hele<ref name="autogenerated3"/> appreciated that these experimental machines gave a good power-weight ratio.
Line 46: Line 58:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/image_galleries/triumph_gallery.shtml?2 Pictures of Triumph Bandit at Coventry Transport Museum]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/image_galleries/triumph_gallery.shtml?2 Pictures of Triumph Bandit at Coventry Transport Museum] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130420034054/http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/image_galleries/triumph_gallery.shtml?2 |date=20 April 2013 }}
* [http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/10626.jpg Edward Turner's initial Bandit prototype]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101031192353/http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/10626.jpg Edward Turner's initial Bandit prototype]

{{Triumph motorcycles Meriden}}


[[Category:Triumph Motorcycles Ltd motorcycles|Bandit]]
[[Category:Triumph Engineering motorcycles|Bandit]]
[[Category:Motorcycles introduced in 1970]]
[[Category:Motorcycles introduced in 1970]]
[[Category:Standard motorcycles]]
[[Category:Standard motorcycles]]
[[Category:Motorcycles powered by straight-twin engines]]

Latest revision as of 01:52, 11 December 2022

Triumph Bandit
Triumph Bandit on display at the National Motorcycle Museum
ManufacturerTriumph
Also calledT35R / T35SS
Parent companyBSA Group
Production1970
Engine349 cc (21.3 cu in) DOHC twin
Power34 hp (25 kW) at 9,000 rpm
Torque21ft.lb at 7000rpm
Transmissionwet multiplate clutch, five speed manual gearbox
Wheelbase58.625 in (1,489.1 mm)
Weight345 pounds (156 kg) (dry)
Fuel capacity13.5 L (3.0 imp gal; 3.6 US gal)
Oil capacity4 3/4 pints

The Triumph Bandit was a British motorcycle manufactured as a prototype by Triumph in 1970. Originally designed by Edward Turner (who was already retired from Triumph) as his last project it was subsequently substantially modified at Triumph by a greatly critical Bert Hopwood[1] and Doug Hele.[2] Despite their work, the Bandit never went into commercial production,[3] and only five have survived, making them very rare.[4]

Doug Hele stated that the model was dropped because design doubts such as the rapid wear of contact breaker points, did not justify the 'real money' cost of dies for components such as cylinder heads, the company then being in 'real financial trouble'.[5] This was despite the fact that Hele had initially expected full production to follow after twelve pre-production models were made. Indeed, the Bandit was included in the 1971 brochure and publicity photographs taken at Umberslade Hall featuring British speedway rider and Triumph production tester Tony Lomas with British model Carol Cleveland (famous for British TV comedy Monty Python) had already been produced.[6][7]

Hopwood did note that the production release date was constantly delayed from spring 1971 with even autumn 1972 suggested gravely affecting BSA-Triumph's credibility with dealers especially in the critical US market.[1] It has also been suggested that the model name was to have been Toledo but that had been taken by the Triumph car company and that the Bandit name was intended for the equivalent BSA model instead.[8]

Description

[edit]

Launched in 1971 the 5-speed, 349 cc (21.3 cu in) double overhead cam twin cylinder Triumph Bandit delivered 34 bhp (25 kW) and could reach 110 mph (180 km/h).[citation needed] Essentially the same motorcycle as the BSA Fury, the Bandit represented the factory's last attempt to compete against Japanese imports.[9]

Timing side of 1971 Triumph Bandit engine

The only contemporary road test was by American magazine Cycle Guide in their March 1971 issue upon a visit to the Triumph and BSA factories at Meriden and Small Heath, respectively.[10] The Bandit's petrol tank colour scheme was Cypress Green (although Cycle World identified it as Jealous Green [11]) with white-lined black scallops above and below a metal Triumph badge with a chrome styling strip running down the top of the tank. The same paint scheme applied to the mudguards with a white-lined black stripe running down through their centre. The side panels were silver painted with black 'tombstone' style lettering stating the model name and engine size: 'Bandit 350'.

The engine was all-alloy as opposed to Triumph's other twins that relied upon an iron barrel and considered by Cycle Guide to be 'beautifully finished' and 'a real thing of beauty'. Cycle Guide criticised the retention of a traditionally Triumph vertically split crankcase halves rather than adopting the Japanese practice of horizontally splitting them. Despite this, it was noted that the engine was oil tight. The small diameter instruments and foot pegs thought mounted too far forward came in for criticism as did the poor conical hub rear brake performance, unlike the 'great' front brake. Lever travel between gears was felt to be too long although the clutch operation was 'silky smooth'.

The electrical system was twin coil and 12 volt and an electric starter was offered as an option. Carburetion was by two Amal 27mm carburetors. Cycle Guide were disappointed that the engine could not be expanded beyond 350cc but praised the engine's and exhausts' quietness. Two exhaust systems, a low level ('T35R') and high level (the 'T35SS' Street Scrambler version), were offered, the former offering more top speed. The low level exhaust system was finished in bright chrome, the high level system in matt black with a stainless steel heat shield. The T35SS version also came with what the brochure described as 'detachable electrics'. Tyres for both versions were the same, Dunlop K70; 3.25 x 18 inches for the front and 3.50 x 18 inches for the rear. Compression ratio was also the same for both : 9.5:1.

Overall, the review was extremely positive concluding, the Bandit 'will run at 90 mph (140 km/h) all day long' and Triumph would 'sell all they can crank out in the next 12 months' being 'a lot of machine for the money' (US$900).[10] In the United Kingdom, a retail price of £402 was cited, some £83 less than Triumph's 500 cc (31 cu in) Daytona model and £91 more than their 250 cc (15 cu in) Blazer model.[8]

Surviving examples

[edit]

There are said to be only five surviving Triumph Bandits[4] and one in full working order is owned by the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust which purchased it from former Meriden worker and Triumph specialist Norman Hyde, who restored the Bandit to its current condition before it was presented to the Coventry Transport Museum. The Chairman of the British Motorcycle Trust, John Kidson, decided it was an important motorcycle that should be kept for posterity, to show to the public what the British motorcycle industry were trying to do when things went wrong for them.[12] This Bandit was entered in the 2008 VMCC’s Festival of 1,000 Bikes at Mallory Park where it was reported to have run very well with smooth power all the way up to an indicated 8,000 rpm, and was a match for many bigger motorcycles, with good handling helped by the shallow steering head angle.[13]

British magazine, The Classic Motorcycle sampled another running example, engine/frame number 00101,[2] (originally owned by Triumph dealers CG Chell, then-owned by sidecar racer Chris Vincent and now at Triumph spares dealers TMS-see photograph) and found it 'an eminently rideable motor cycle', 'imparting a great deal of pleasure as a bonus'. Tellingly, the author found that whilst Triumph 'was well able to design and build a model to match contemporary Japanese designs in engine performance, and to out-handle them on the road', the contact breaker points assembly required replacing during the ride. Testing the same machine some 3 years earlier, British magazine, The Biker commented similarly as to the performance but instead concluded that the Bandit would merely have been an 'also-ran' against the-then Japanese competition.[8]

Other surviving examples of the Bandit are on display at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum[14] and the National Motorcycle Museum[15] with a rare example left outside England being in Australia (owned by enthusiast and racer Doug Fraser.[16][17]

With no further production, there were a number of redundant Bandit frames left which were used experimentally by Meriden with their existing 650cc and 500cc motors. Although not proceeded with, both Hopwood [1] and Hele[5] appreciated that these experimental machines gave a good power-weight ratio.

References

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  1. ^ a b c 'Whatever Happened To The British Motorcycle Industry ?' by Bert Hopwood (Haynes 1981)ISBN 0 85429 459 7
  2. ^ a b Bandit In The Hills (The Classic Motorcycle 11/84)
  3. ^ Clew, Jeff (2007), Edward Turner: The Man Behind the Motorcycles, Veloce Publishing, p. 133, ISBN 978-1-84584-065-5
  4. ^ a b Crutchlow, Dayle (2008). "Gift bike is a blast from past". Coventry Evening Telegraph. Retrieved 28 November 2009. [dead link]
  5. ^ a b Behind The Bandit's Rise And Fall (The Classic Motorcycle 12/84)
  6. ^ "Triumph Fury 350cc (1971)". Fedrotriple.it. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  7. ^ BSA/Triumph Present: Power Set '71 by Brad Jones (Spangle Publishing 2012)
  8. ^ a b c The Triumph That Nearly Was (The Biker 6/81)
  9. ^ "BSA 350 Fury SS Prototype DZ75". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  10. ^ a b Triumph's New Radical DOHC 350 (Cycle Guide 3/71)
  11. ^ The New BSA/Triumph 350 (Cycle World 2/71)
  12. ^ "Triumphant return to Coventry". Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  13. ^ "Triumphant debut for Bandit at 1000 Bikes". Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  14. ^ "Motorcycles - Motorbikes - 1970 Triumph Bandit-SS". Motorcycles-motorbikes.com. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  15. ^ Calder, Gordon (13 May 2010). "Triumph 350cc DOHC Bandit - 1971 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  16. ^ RedLeg Interactive Media - Tel +44(01223 426 013 (19 May 2009). "33rd All British Rally, Campbells Creek, Australia - Real Classic Bike Rides". Realclassic.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "All British Rally 09 Pics". Kirk House Video. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
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