Triumph TR5 Trophy
| Manufacturer | Triumph |
|---|---|
| Production | 1949-1958 |
| Engine | 498cc OHV four stroke twin |
| Power | 25 bhp (19 kW) @ 6000 rpm[citation needed] |
The TR5 Trophy was a Triumph motorcycle made by at the Meriden factory in the UK.[1] Based on the Triumph Speed Twin, the TR5 was a trials machine designed for off road use with a high level two into one exhaust and good handling on public roads.[2] The name 'Trophy' came from the three 'specials' that Triumph built for the Italian International Six Day Trials in 1948, which went on to win three gold medals and the manufacturers team trophy.[3] Featuring prominently in the AMC "Class C" racing until 1969, the American export models included components from the Triumph Tiger 100 to create a motorcycle for desert competition.[4]
From 1951 the 498cc engine (used as aircraft generators during World War II) was updated with a new alloy barrels and heads. The TR5 was replaced with a new range of unit construction twins in 1959.[3] The Trophy name was resurrected for the Triumph TR6 Trophy in 1970 and the Trophy 500 (T100C) in 1971, which in turn was replaced by the Triumph Trophy Trail (TR5T) in 1973. The Hinckley Triumph company used the Trophy name for the Triumph Trophy 900 and Triumph Trophy 1200 models.
Famous Riders
The Fonz , a character played by Henry Winkler in the popular and long running American sit-com Happy Days, rode a Triumph TR5 Trophy. Both the character and bike were available as an MPC model kit in the 1970s.
In an attempt to ape Marlon Brando and his 6T Triumph Thunderbird, James Dean bought a Triumph TR5 Trophy. Phil Stern's famous series of photographs of Dean show him upon this bike which although sold after the actor's untimely death, was recovered and restored before being displayed at the James Dean Museum in Fairmount, Indiana.
References
- ^ Clement Salvadori (January/February 2010). "1973 Triumph TR5T Trophy Trail 500". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Trophy 500". Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- ^ a b Remus, Tim (1997). Triumph Motorcycles: Twins and Triples. MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 13.978-0-7603-0312-2.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: invalid character (help) - ^ "Triumph Timeline". Retrieved 2008-09-07.
 | This motorcycle, scooter or moped-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |