SELLER SAYS: 1971 Triumph Trident for sale. New paint, three new carburetors, alloy rims, matching numbers, timing done, tappets set, work carried out by Ironhorse Restorations. Great example of this model and will only go up in price. 38,876 kms. Contact Joe on 0467 984 210 (Baldivis, Perth WA)
EDITOR TERLICK SAYS: I’ve lost count of the number of bikes that lay claim to being the world’s first superbike, but Triumph’s longly-gestated Trident triple surely belongs in the front group. The Trident was designed and virtually ready for production as early as 1965. Had it hit the market then, who knows how different motorcycle history — and especially Triumph history — might have unfolded. In true British form, the Trident was just a bigger version of the bike that fathered it: the twin cylinder 650cc Bonneville. Triumph added a cylinder and beefed up the frame and other components to manage the extra weight and extra power, as it had done many times before when their small bikes got bigger and their singles became twins. And it worked. There were some bugs — early ones were prone to leaking more than usual, clutches were finnicky and they burnt oil and petrol rather fast — but they were marvellous machines nonetheless. For one thing, they were fast. Real fast. Get-outta-the way 125mph fast, which made them much loved on the race track as well as on the road. The most famous racing Trident was a white beast known as Slippery Sam (“slippery” after a rather embarrassing incident involving engine oil) which covered itself in glory for five years in a row at the Isle of Man. Nowadays, the Trident is recognised as one of Triumph’s great achievements, as well as being a surprisingly well-manner and useable classic. Tuned properly, they start well and are smooth and civilised. This bike of Joe’s looks like a ripper, with the Bonneville-style tank and wide bars giving the Trident its most handsome look. Very nice.
