Triumph 1969 T150 Trident 740 cc 3 cyl ohv

Triumph 1969 T150 “Trident” 740 cc 3-cylinder frame & engine # CC02584T150T

Triumph’s eagerly awaited 3-cylinder T150 Trident was a radical new idea, introduced by the end of 1968, alongside BSA’s similarly powered A75 Rocket-3; both models were individually styled. The idea was wild, especially considering the conservative nature of BSA & Triumph management at the time. There were lots of singles & twins, and even some fours. But no one had a triple!
The Triumph engine had its cylinders mounted vertically while the BSA’s engine was ‘sloping’ in the frame; these models were the firm’s first entry into the 750cc class. Together with the Norton Commando, and Honda’s soon-to-arrive CB750-4, they were immediately categorised as Superbikes. Going into the 1970s both ‘triples’ underwent a change of styling with particular attention paid to the silencers and fuel tanks.
The BSA/Triumph group was already experiencing a difficult financial situation but, in a glorious last-ditch sales campaign, the factory competition shop lead by R & D chief Doug Hele was charged with preparing a batch of hand-built T150/A75s for Daytona and the newly created Formula 750. It proved a highly successful promotion with the team bikes gaining many race wins. Likewise from 1970 onwards the T150 known as “Slippery Sam” – masterminded by Triumph’s Les Williams – achieved five consecutive wins in the IOM Production TT.
The engine has bore x stroke dimensions of 67×70 mm, a compression ratio of 9:1 and it delivers 58 hp @ 7,500 rpm. The front brake has a diameter of 8 inch, the rear is 7 inch. Weight is around 210 kg. The machine we offer here was manufactured in March 1969 and comes with current Dutch registration. As was more often done at the time her original “square-style” petrol tank has been changed for an American-style teardrop-type.