“One-of-a-kind†Triple

[jmv2006]

I’m planning to start a project to build a “One-of-a-kind†Triple based on a 1997 Trident 900 I found in very good shape at a very (I mean VERY! :wink low price.
Questions:
1 - Is this a good frame/engine (almost all the rest will be discarded) to build a café-racer?
I’ve seen many nice “Triple†projects (Mecatwin, VD, etc.) but almost all are built based on the Trophy frame/engine.
2 - Is there a big difference between a 1997 Trident and an early Trophy??

 

[DaveM]

Well I will watch this build with great interest so keep us posted

 

[jmv2006]

I’m not yet sure I will go for it, Dave. I’m still waiting (and hopping!) for some feedback on the Trident 900.
I was astonished when I used the Bikez database to compare it with my TBS. Not only has it loosed in all fields as it shows it to be below general average in all criteria.

I don’t know how accurate this information is.
Actually looking at the factory specifications I was expecting to be exactly the other way around:
Trident 900:
98.0 hp at 9,000 RPM / 85.00 Nm at 6,500 RPM
Thunderbird Sport:
82.0 hp at 8,500 RPM / 76.00 Nm at 6,500 RPM

 

[DaveM]

I don’t know if I can believe there data it really does not sound right to me either h:

 

[CarlS]

Please let us know if you embark on this project and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[jmv2006]

I think I will buy the Trident but I'm changing my mind: As it is in such a good condition I will try to restore it to 100% factory configuration (it has quite a few mods on). Being one of the Hinckley Triumph launch models I believe that it will become a “classic†sooner or later.
Now I have another problem: I only have space to keep 4 bikes therefore one has to go. Obviously it will be the "odd-one-out": The Honda CS50.
It was a nice project but has no use whatsoever.
I already advertised on a local site and on the Belgium eBay.
Check:
Kapaza

EBay

 

[CarlS]

I think that is a wise decision. If the mods are Triumph mods, perhaps you can keep those.

 

[triple trouble]

The differences between early Tridents and Trophys were minimal. Identical frames and engines. the main differences were upgrades to wheels and brakes and the like. E.G. the Trophy had slightly larger front brakes with fully floating discs. Tanks were the same also.The only downside to these bikes in my opinion is that they are top heavy due to the large backbone steel frame which runs over the top of the engine. They had a reputation for being overbuilt and as such are extremely reliable with only a few niggles. The starter sprag clutch could fail but most have been upgrade by now and occasional coil failures. I put 70,000 kms on my Sprint and loved every minute of it [except for that day I started my trip ] and would highly recommend any of the T300 series .

 

[tridentist]

I have a 95 Trident 900 - 30K miles with no issues. Plan to go cafe racer with it but am having trouble finding aftermarket exhaust. Any ideas ?

 

[The Seeker]

Have you tried looking into Staintune exhaust? Also, I'd think D&D would have something which would be LOUD.

PS: The coil issues on these bikes had much to do with too much heat around the coils. Cooler climates rarely had trouble while warmer climates did. Also, when people removed the tank to gain access to the plugs, etc., they often messed-up the proper way the shroud went which lead to more of a problem with the heat around those coils.

 

[Dschief]

[quote author=jmv2006 link=topic=165.msg327#msg327 date=1213980995]
Actually looking at the factory specifications I was expecting to be exactly the other way around:
Trident 900:
98.0 hp at 9,000 RPM / 85.00 Nm at 6,500 RPM
Thunderbird Sport:
82.0 hp at 8,500 RPM / 76.00 Nm at 6,500 RPM

[/quote]
I always wondered how they came up with 82hp for the T-Bird Sport. The engine internals and carbs are identical to the the other classic triples (T-Bird, Legend, and Adventurer all rated at 69hp), but somehow the Sport made an extra 13hp.

 

[jmv2006]

[quote author=Dschief link=topic=165.msg11518#msg11518 date=1221179755]
I always wondered how they came up with 82hp for the T-Bird Sport. The engine internals and carbs are identical to the the other classic triples (T-Bird, Legend, and Adventurer all rated at 69hp), but somehow the Sport made an extra 13hp.
[/quote]The main difference is in the cams;
Actually it is not the same engine used on the TBird, Legend, and Adventurer but exactly the same used on the Tiger 900 :y115:

 

[bigandaft]

Ooooh i just went all soft when i saw the picture of the Tiger
I had one like that from new and sold it last year
Did 110 000 Kms on it with now problems at all