Triumph T140W TSS
This article possibly contains original research. (April 2011) |
Manufacturer | Triumph |
---|---|
Production | 1982–1983 |
Engine | 749 cc (45.7 cu in) twin |
The T140W TSS was the last motorcycle model made by Triumph Engineering at their Meriden factory.
Development history
Designed to appeal to the US market, the TSS had an eight valve
The crank was a fully machined single forging with increased big end diameter making it much stiffer and better-balanced and producing one of the smoothest running motorcycles in the Triumph range.[1] The head had smaller valves set at a steeper angle (30°). Recesses in the pistons allowed a 10:1 compression ratio.
UK models had a pair of 34 mm
A modified TSS raced by Jon Minonno for Texan Jack Wilson's Big D Triumph dealership achieved outstanding results in the Battle of the Twins races for 1981–1982.[2]
Specification
Launched in 1982 with an electric starter as standard, the all-new top end of the engine featured Cooper rings sealing the 8-valve cylinder head to the barrel. American Morris
Unlike most Triumph models, no USA style with high handlebars and two-gallon tank was officially specified (until the TSX8-see below), all advertised models coming with the Italian four-gallon tank and low handlebars as well as the newly introduced alloy 'dog leg' clutch and front brake levers.[5] The actual version exported to the USA received a black paint scheme with gold-lined red 'wings' along with newly shaped megaphone mufflers and German Bing carburettors.[6] A one-off variant in line with the Triumph Bonneville T140EX Executive was produced for a London dealer, albeit again in gold-lined black, but with the Executive's standard Brealey-Smith 'Sabre' fairing and luggage by Sigma.[7] All TSS were shod with Avon Roadrunner tyres.
Only 112 TSS bikes were actually exported by Triumph, as on 26 August 1983 the factory at Meriden went into voluntary liquidation. It is calculated that 438 TSS units were made in total.[1]
The TSS, particularly the engine, was generally well received by the British and international press
TSSAV
Fitting an eight-valve engine in an anti-vibration frame was first mooted by the factory at the 1981
For the unrealised 1984 range, the TSS was to have had Meriden's 'Enforcer' anti-vibration frame as standard where the engine was rubber-mounted in a special anti-vibration frame. Styling changes included the adoption of parts from the Triumph T140 TSX model such as the abbreviated rear mudguard albeit in stainless steel and side panels with a TSX-styled TSS badge affixed. These replaced the original side panels which had been extended to cover the Bing carburettor linkages on the USA export models. A plastic 'ducktail' seat unit was mounted above the shortened rear mudguard of the projected 1984 civilian model and rear set footrests, brake and gear shift mechanisms fitted. Police TSS AV retained the standard footrest/control arrangement as well as conventional cycle parts over the ducktail and TSX parts. Due to the height clearance limitations caused by the engine jogging about its rubber mounts within the Enforcer frame, the shorter Amal Mk2 carburettors instead of Bings were fitted.[18][19]
Only three examples of the TSS AV in police and civilian specification were ever made
TSX8
Another prototype from the unrealised 1984 range, a TSS engine, with Bings, in Triumph T140 TSX cycle parts was to be marketed as the TSX8, the original four-valve version renamed as the TSX4.[18][19] Wayne Moulton who designed the TSX, had originally done so with the 8-valve TSS engine in mind.[18]
Notes
- ^ a b c d A Final Bid To Triumph Classic Bike (April 2012(
- ^ The Empire Strikes Back(Bike 8/82)
- ^ a b c d e f Bonnie: The Development History Of The Triumph Bonneville (2nd edition)(Nelson)Haynes Foulis 1994
- ^ Eight into Two Makes Power ! (Classic Bike 7/82)
- ^ a b Fast And Varicose (Motorcycling 7/82)
- ^ a b Triumph TSS-The Legend Reborn (Rider 2/83)
- ^ Re-Writing History (Classic Bike Guide 12/93)
- ^ Date with the Eight (Motor Cycle News 3.03.82)
- ^ Britisches Reitpferd (PS 5/83)
- ^ Renovierung (Motorrad 18.8.82)
- ^ Gestern Heute (Motorrad 26/1982)
- ^ TSS:More Notes on the Trumpet(Bike 8/82)
- ^ Triumph TSS: Quick Teaser (Bike Australia no.11 Vol.1 02.83)
- ^ Slick On The Road One Way Or Other (Motor Cycle Weekly 9.10.82)
- ^ Triumphing Against The Odds ! (Motor Cycle Weekly 8.01.83)
- ^ Triumph:End of the Road?(Motorcyclist 6/83)
- ^ After Eight ?(Which Bike ? 2/81)
- ^ ISBN 9781845842659.
- ^ a b Guide Lines (Cycle Guide 6/83)
- ^ Mr Smoothy (British Bike Magazine 6/92)
- ^ a b Meriden's Last Twin For Sale(Classic Bike 4/90)