Models
All UK/RoW TR65 models were to come with the newly-designed, Italian-sourced, 4 gallon fuel tank (pictured) but, in his 2009 book, Save the Triumph Bonneville !, former Triumph chairman, John Rosamond details shortages of this part meant the older 4 gallon 'breadbin'-style tank was initially also used.
A trail version with electronic ignition, the Tiger Trail, was also introduced in 1981 but, together with the earlier 750 cc version was dropped from the range due to poor sales in late 1982, perhaps understandable given that it was priced the same as the 750 cc version.
According to Triumph's 1982/3 range brochure, the cycle parts of that season's 'USA' styled Thunderbird dispensed with the satin black finish, instead adopting bright chrome, polished alloy, a tachometer, twin bright-chromed exhausts and Marzocchi rear suspension units which came, ironically, with black springs as standard. The UK version added the twin exhausts, Marzocchis and tachometer but retained the satin black cycle parts of the 1981/2 models. Whilst both versions retained their contact breaker points ignition, they were now, like the 750 cc models, shod with Avon Roadrunner tyres. There were price differentials for 1982 USA and UK/RoW styles, for instance being priced at DM8495 and DM8395 respectively in the important German market.
Ten TR65 were specially ordered from Meriden and modified as Dernys for bicycle speed trials work/pace bikes at the Leicester Velodrome although they were since located at London's Herne Hill facility.
Planned for 1984 and styled after the T140 TSX, a custom model and further sleeved-down TR60 600 cc Thunderbird was exhibited but not produced, the co-operative closing down towards the end of 1983. The new 600cc engine's bore and stroke was 76mm x 66mm with a compression ratio of 8.5:1. Electric starting came as standard with no kick start fitted. Aimed at the newly-qualified rider for whom the cost of insuring Triumph's larger models was too expensive, the scheduled price was to be £2181. The prototype Thunderbird 600 was converted by the factory into a conventional kick start TR65 to fulfil a Ministry of Defence order. From the Meriden Triumph factory production records held by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club, that TR65 (the black model pictured), made on 1 June 1983, was the last 650 cc motorcycle and the second last motorcycle made at Meriden before the factory's closure that August.
The red model pictured, from the National Motorcycle Museum, was originally sent by Triumph to dealers, Chatmans of Evesham at the end of June 1981 and registered in mid August that year.
Read more about this topic: Triumph TR65 Thunderbird
Famous quotes containing the word models:
“The parents who wish to lead a quiet life I would say: Tell your children that they are very naughty—much naughtier than most children; point to the young people of some acquaintances as models of perfection, and impress your own children with a deep sense of their own inferiority. You carry so many more guns than they do that they cannot fight you. This is called moral influence and it will enable you to bounce them as much as you please.”
—Samuel Butler (1835–1902)
“Friends broaden our horizons. They serve as new models with whom we can identify. They allow us to be ourselves—and accept us that way. They enhance our self-esteem because they think we’re okay, because we matter to them. And because they matter to us—for various reasons, at various levels of intensity—they enrich the quality of our emotional life.”
—Judith Viorst (20th century)
“Grandparents can be role models about areas that may not be significant to young children directly but that can teach them about patience and courage when we are ill, or handicapped by problems of aging. Our attitudes toward retirement, marriage, recreation, even our feelings about death and dying may make much more of an impression than we realize.”
—Eda Le Shan (20th century)