Thread: TD5 Replacing Air Bag suspension with coils

You're right Lionel, it's a retrograde, but legal, conversion.
Some models left the factory with coils.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

You're right Lionel, it's a retrograde, but legal, conversion.
Some models left the factory with coils.

Hello Ian,

Thank you for the quick and informative reply, Ian. The youtube clip was something to watch during a night of nothing to decent on TV. It did get me thinking though!

I am still coming to terms with an odd number of cylinders in a motor. Well apart from the single cylinder "thumper" motor bike 500 cubic inches Matchless motor bikes like my Dad rode. Then later when I visited Nepal and saw the Royal Enfields that were prolific there. It is a very special experience when walking down a narrow street at night and the sound echoing off walls.

Plus an older mate recalling his misspent youth and an interesting fact about the then Police motorcycles were three cylinder Triumphs. How they apparently could not sustain a long pursuit with something like a Norton because the middle cylinder would overheat and seize in the Triumph Tridents. I am not sure how accurate that story was. However, I would not put it past the younger version of the person I knew to have done something like baiting the constabulary in his youth. To me cylinders in motor cars should come in collections of even numbers - the more the better. Also, with engines having a capacity larger than a juice carton or a milk bottle.

Kind regards
Lionel

Ariel square fours used to overheat the back two cylinders, as did the three pot Trumpy 750s.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Ariel square fours used to overheat the back two cylinders, as did the three pot Trumpy 750s.

Edit:
The Triumph lunched the middle pot, as you described.

Hello Ian,

Just found this article about the Triumph Tridents accessed 17th June 2024 from, The Triumph Trident: Ahead of the Curve - webBikeWorld
They were made in 1968 and officially launched in 1969. Just the same time the Honda 750 Four was released. Not the greatest for timing - especially since it could have been released two years before the Honda. The Triumph Trident's release was allegedly held up by wranglings within management. Between two English brands Triumph and Norton in the 1970s I liked the Norton Commando's 850s over the Triumphs. Just my personal school boy preferences of the era. Gee, a quick check on the markets and the Norton Commando's 850s are now worth between $25K and $35K! Meanwhile, a 1975 Triumph Trident 750 T160 is for sale $39,900.

Well that is my loose end of a night filled in doing some research that I had not even anticipated doing. Not a bad way to end the day. Take the dog for his last walk in the yard for tonight and that is the last chore done for the day. Have a good night everyone.

Kind regards
Lionel

I have gone the other way, converting coils to air.

Before AULRO came into my life I took advice from an indie. I was tired of returning to the car and finding it on the bump stops, so I converted it to coils. Ruined it. On my never ending to do list is to convert it back.

Mine left the factory as a 7 seater, and I think they were all SLS.