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The Triumph TR65 Thunderbird is a motorcycle made by the Triumph worker's co-operative at the Meriden factory from 1981 to 1983. The TR65 was a reintroduction of the Triumph Thunderbird model name first used on the original 6T Thunderbird of 1949.
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 with 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 T140 and could return 54 mpg‑imp (5.2 L/100 km; 45 mpg‑US). Costs were reduced by having a single silencer, using mechanical contact breaker points instead of electronic ignition and using a drum rear brake instead of the more expensive disc brake. Instead of a tachometer, the warning lights and ignition switch were housed in the right hand pod of the instrument binnacle. Cycle parts, including the Girling rear suspension units, were painted in satin black rather than being chromed or polished and the exhaust system was black chromed to match.
Dunlop Gold Seal economy tyres were fitted instead of the more expensive Avon Roadrunners specified for the 750cc roadster range. Triumph however included newly introduced European components such as German ULO direction indicators and Italian Radaelli wheel 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.
Although produced in a USA variant with a 2-gallon tank and high handlebars as compared to the 4 gallon tank, with low handlebars for the UK and the rest of the world, no TR65 was ever 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 including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, albeit in small numbers.
A TR65S Thunderbird model was one factory-fitted with the electronic ignition and electric starter options. A TR65S fitted with after-market Hedingham leading link front forks carried London residents Richard and Mopsa English and a Squire sidecar around the world from 1982 to 1986.[2] The journey is detailed in their book, Full Circle, and the TR65S combination used has been on display at the London Motorcycle Museum since 2010 having initially been housed at the National Motorcycle Museum upon the English's return.
I hope you liked this post and as always have a chilled day from the Viking.
TRIUMPH TR65 THUNDERBIRD
The Triumph TR65 Thunderbird is a motorcycle made by the Triumph worker's co-operative at the Meriden factory from 1981 to 1983. The TR65 was a reintroduction of the Triumph Thunderbird model name first used on the original 6T Thunderbird of 1949.
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 with 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 T140 and could return 54 mpg‑imp (5.2 L/100 km; 45 mpg‑US). Costs were reduced by having a single silencer, using mechanical contact breaker points instead of electronic ignition and using a drum rear brake instead of the more expensive disc brake. Instead of a tachometer, the warning lights and ignition switch were housed in the right hand pod of the instrument binnacle. Cycle parts, including the Girling rear suspension units, were painted in satin black rather than being chromed or polished and the exhaust system was black chromed to match.
Dunlop Gold Seal economy tyres were fitted instead of the more expensive Avon Roadrunners specified for the 750cc roadster range. Triumph however included newly introduced European components such as German ULO direction indicators and Italian Radaelli wheel 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.
Although produced in a USA variant with a 2-gallon tank and high handlebars as compared to the 4 gallon tank, with low handlebars for the UK and the rest of the world, no TR65 was ever 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 including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, albeit in small numbers.
A TR65S Thunderbird model was one factory-fitted with the electronic ignition and electric starter options. A TR65S fitted with after-market Hedingham leading link front forks carried London residents Richard and Mopsa English and a Squire sidecar around the world from 1982 to 1986.[2] The journey is detailed in their book, Full Circle, and the TR65S combination used has been on display at the London Motorcycle Museum since 2010 having initially been housed at the National Motorcycle Museum upon the English's return.
I hope you liked this post and as always have a chilled day from the Viking.
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