Today we take a look at Richards Triumph Trophy TR6C from 1971 One of the sweetest Triumph twins from this era that I have ever ridden This was filmed near Shrewsbury Shropshire UK
What a true British classic. The Triumph TR6 Trophy ridden by Bud Ekins, who performed the famous jump scene as McQueen's stunt double in the film The Great Escape in 1961, and used in the chase scene, were disguised as German BMW R75 motorcycles.
I loved that bike. My friend had one. It was a hoot to ride on the road or off. The single Carb gave it more low end torque and it handled like a dream. If they still made that exact same bike I would have to think seriously about buying one. And I am 82 years old. But my 99 Harley Softail Custom will have to do because government regs decide what manufacturers can do and not do.
Thanks, that was very nice, I had a 64 TR6R, back in the 70's, looked much the same except down pipes and red, it sounded very much the same, got great gas mileage, when I tried. That looks so good and comfortable, I like the high pipes. Thanks again!
Great vid again lads. Took me back to the first triumph I was taken out on by my father in the 70’s. I watched him build a Tiger SS from a basket case from boxes of parts on the kitchen table! He used to say that was the best way to buy a Triumph because you have the chance to assemble the bike properly! I got the chance to ride a TR6R about 20 years ago and was surprised how much smoother it was than earlier models but ultimately I’d rather have an earlier one as the TR6 was fatally flawed by poor design and assembly issues, a victim of the poorly funded and run co-op. I think that was a great shame as the TR6 looks lovely and sounds great. For me, the most iconic trumpet if my youth had to be the Tiger 500ss. It was damned quick for the day, sounded and looked great and with careful attention remained pretty reliable, well, as reliable as trumpets got and probably more so than the TR6! I remember Steve McQueen in later photos sat astride Norton Commandos and think he rode or competed on a Norton Atlas? They seemed to take over as the British Superbikes of the day. Dad traded his Tiger ss in for a new Ducati 860 GTS in 1978 and still had that bike nearly 25 years later. On my wedding day I bought my best man a K&N air filter for his Aprilia RSV Mille! If he sees this video I’m toast so thank you guys ! 😂😂😂
Great video, but I am biased as I have the UK equivalent roadster in the same colour, In the UK it was called the Tiger instead of Trophy. In 1971 the Bonneville and the Tiger, I believe, had exactly the same engine, unlike the earlier models, Same cams, compression etc but just a single carb, Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the memories:) My first bike and the same color too. Bought it out of a Navy Annex catalog sight unseen while in Vietnam. Delivered to my family’s house in a crate and my Dad and I got it running. I had some continuing problems with the clutch plates falling inside the housing. It was a failed half moon key which sheared and was designed to hold them together and the weld fitting the gas tank to the frame also sheared. That was fixed quite well with a radiator hose clamp. It had a very nice throaty sound and would do wheelies much to my poor neighbor’s chagrin. Thank You.
After the second time the clutch plates fell my extremely talented mechanically inclined friend figured it out and no problems after that’s except for the user unfriendly choke lever ( I think I had it in half choke for a month and was concerned why it wasn’t running right:)) and it was my first bike after all. But all in all it was a bike I wish I still had and remember fondly.
I NEVER understood why they moved to oil in frame - it certainly was not an improvement [ altho some said that the steering was better than even its immediate predessor which is regarded as the best frame Triumph ever made ]- I know, I owned one ! Another great video Guys - keep them coming please !
the downside from owning triumphs of this age is the casings are incredibly soft almost akin to being made out of butter, this usually means the casings are covered in scratches and scores. It also means they wear in crucial places - bearings spinning etc, so assemble them with care. these not bikes you treat roughly. You enter the rabbit hole of carb tuning which some never escape from the bike will always have puddle of fuel on the casing from tickling the carb to start. but once you mastered the art of kick starting life is a lot of fun. an everything in the mirror is total blur at about 60mph.
I have had my new to me, bonnie for a few months now, and am feeling very much the same enthusiasm, pure pleasure, of riding a nice Brit twin again. I've got a 78, oil in frame, have just fixed a few minor problems, and hopefully will enjoy many miles on country roads in North Carolina. I've really enjoyed "middle aged blokes riding on middle aged bikes", it fits very well with where I am in life now. Thanks for the review!
I've been really enjoying your videos, please keep up the good work. My first bike was a '71 T120 with the P39 OiF, different livery on the tank-- mustard yellow and black scallops lined in white. Anyway, ride safe!
Steve McQueen's most ridden motorcycle was his shabby Indian chief with his Mexican blanket rolled up on the back. He would ride this bike because people would not think that it was him. This way he could get some respite from being such a movie star. He competed in motorcycle races under the name Harvey moshman so his agents do not know he was racing. If he did not have to stop racing in order to make a movie he would have been a great motorcycle racing star.
As soon as Mike set off you could tell he was instantly at home with it. Really liked the list of modifications. I would HAVE to have the rev' counter. I know that they had the single clock, but I've never liked that sat to one side thing.Another cracking bike though.
Thanks for watching, dosnt seem to need a revcounter you can feel the engine through the seat of your pants I kind of like it on this bike with the small headlight and the wide bars has a west coast cool to it
I have a 1971 TR6C - it does have the rev-counter - not sure it was mounted from the factory or added later. My TR6C has been "Bonnevillised" with twin carb head etc. so there's a strong possibility it was added later. Can't say it's much use - mostly bounces around - and sometimes vibrates the cable off! However it does give a symmetry. I am in the process of returning it back to TR6C spec - I've just fitted the high level exhausts - look lovely I have to say. Have to wait until March before I can ride it - can't wait!
I had one of those new in 71 in the US. Single carbs had a little more torque down low than the Bonnies, They would pop a nice wheelie on the shift to second gear if you did a speed shift. I also had a 1965 Bonneville TT special new. nice to see this video.
Another good informative video. I thought the duplex frames helped prevent the 'Triumph whip'. Always wondered why they went back to single cradle in the early 60's. My brother swapped his out on his T110 to a duplex.
I have a 1971 TR6C like this one - however it has been "Bonnevillised" (not by me I might add) - by that I mean it has a twin carb cylinder head and BSA Rocket exhausts. The flip ups were cannibalized for another TR6C I believe. I do have the original 5.75" light; however I fitted a 7" bonnie unit. It retains its' chrome front and rear mudguards. The bash plate is missing. Apart from all of that it is a "KG" stamped TR6C. Oh and the side panels are now fake 1960s type rounded types (look great in my opinion) with a pair of pancake filters. I have been considering for some time returning it to TR6C standard - after seeing this great video I have made the decision and ordered the parts from various places. Can't find the flip up footrests - seems they are currently unobtainium. I am hoping I can keep the dual carbs - otherwise I'll have to source a single carb head. Think I could reuse one of the pair of Amal 930s in that case. Let's see. Hopefully if all goes well sometime next year after the winter break there will be a semi-proper looking TR6C out and about on the roads of Denmark! Thanks for the videos - Regards from Dave, a middle aged bloke.
Good luck with your conversion back to Trophy TR6C spec. Pros and cons with single v twin carbs of course, personally I like the single carb - less faff and goes a lot further between fill ups! Thanks for watching and ride safe. 👍 Rich@ldg
@@richardayton3556 I have sourced most of the parts and they have arrived - I did find some flip up footrests - however they are in the US and would cost - after tax and postage around £400-500 as far as I can tell - which is quite a lot in my book! Anyway - the winter is upon us and the TR6C is all snuggled down in its cave ready for fiddling and fixing. I'll begin in earnest in a few days
@@richardayton3556 I have now fitted the high level exhaust - bit fiddly but now done. Look fantastic I have to say. I have also sourced a single carb cylinder head which I will retrieve from my brother in England next time I visit (hopefully next year - corona willing) - the seller would not or could not send them here to Denmark. The twin carb head and setup will be retained until then. However with the twin carb setup it started straight away and idled perfectly - which surprised me I have to say. I expected to do some carb fiddling. Maybe still will have to when I can road test it. I am missing the bark from the previous BSA Rocket exhausts, however the new quieter tones hopefully will alleviate the irritation of long distance rides with the constant roar. We'll see when the season opens next March (most bikes in Denmark are off the road between November and March).
@@davidalanroden great to hear you're making progress David. Hopefully by the Spring you'll have it just the way you want and ready to ride. Enjoy! Best wishes Richard
@@richardayton3556 Spring has sprung and for the last nearly 2 months I have been enjoying riding the nearly back to original TR6C. I did manage to source some flip up footrests from the US at a much more reasonable price. I need to clean and paint them and as soon as I've done that I'll fit them. The sound is great from the new exhausts - a little muted which was expected but a lovely little growl on overrun. I did not need to fiddle with the carbs amazingly - plugs are a nice colour and it feels fine. Thanks for all the videos - love watching you and your gang having fun on some really great bikes.
I was the best man in both of my brother's weddings. Bastards didn't get me anything. Maybe Dave and Richard can make me an honorary third brother. I wanna be part of that family.
I could have bought one identical to this bike brand new in 1979 for 1299 brand new with witworth fastiners, unfortunately I had bought a1979 kz400 beforehand not knowing they had them.
@@waveydavey750 Thankyou. As an aficionado, please could you tell me if the following sounds a realistic idea? Triumph T140 750, with some skinnier tires, seat swap for individual rider and pillion, ally' metal tank, new upswept pipes and cow horn bars, to look similar to the TR5 Trophy? Post 76, with left hand shift!
@@paulmahy Hmm, possibly? Upswept pipes are readily available but the tank might prove expensive? The TR5T Trophy trail (called the Adventurer in the UK) used a BSA B50 tank which might fit, as it was also an oil in frame??
I have a Bonnevillised TR6C with a twin carb head. Initially there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth with setting them up - they were jetted far too rich. Anyway - once I got it to run properly it's been fine for the last few years - it helps I suppose that the carbs are new Amal premiers - they are supposed to be higher quality. However the intake where the filters are screwed on are different in diameter by 0.5mm which is enough for a filter adapter to screw on the right carb, but actually fall off the left!. Anyway - it runs very well and I haven't had to touch it since it was properly set up so far.
@@davidalanroden I agree the new premiers are much better, with mine on one of the bikes the size of the thread was so far of , i made the adaptors and just screw cut the threads to suit
Triumph redesigned the headlight mount for 1972 because if that breakage problem. An owner would need to buy the pair of brackets. I was unaware of the frame breakage problem. What broke? An LED headlight bulb cures the headlight problem.
If you look at what Steve McQueen rode and drove, they were the highest performance vehicles at that time. I very much doubt he would have ridden a 60's triumph if he had been born 40 years later.
Thanks for watching but he wasn’t born 40 years later and he competed in the ISDT on a triumph twin, was known for his preference for Triumph twins and even the great escape stunt was a …. Triumph twin
Actually Steve McQueen was a real vintage nut who told Meriden "not to change a thing" (not sure that was good advice! ;o) ) and owned a load of '30s Indians and Harleys etc. He gave up on the brit twins for off road racing when they became uncompetitive but the most modern road bike I have seen on record of him riding was a Commando!
Steve McQueen did not ride a 1971 scrambler. Between the oil frame that would overheat and froth the oil and break when you put it on the center stand. The brackets holding the instruments would break. The wire is holding your fenders on wood break. It would lose the side panels. And the ombre slide Hall designed brakes would be useless. The flat spring selector in the transmission would go bad. The five speed gearbox would explode within blocks of the dealership. Slag from the inside of the oil frame would fill up the sludge trap in the crankshaft within 10,000 miles until they washed to frame out three times over to wash all the debris out of it instead of it going into your engine. 90% of the motorcycle was sheer garbage. And competent management at its finest. And the paint would fade away and Flake off within 6 months applying your brand new motorcycle. Thank God the coop did not make many motorcycles before they too gave up the ghost.
One might get the impression you don't have much love for the old triumphs! I've got a 78, I had a sixty four, and my best friend had a 73, in my teens. Triumph had its problems, but they are directly connected to the failure in 39, and our assumption of crude control over the world. I've always regretted selling my 64, I'm working out the bugs of my 78, just purchased this year, ten times what I paid in the seventies for my TR6R, but our currency has been debased twenty times what it was in 76 when I bought that 64 tiger. Britain never returned to the "production based economy" it had before Dunkirk, and we've experienced massive inflation putting us in the same "cat-bird seat" today, they were in, entering the forties. I've worked as mechanic and machinist for the last fifty years and our own "products" have declined to failure little different from Great Britain's decline. We've been "raped, pillaged and plundered" precisely as Europe was, and as Japan and the far east are being. We're just noticing "the greatest wealth transfer in history", our turn, I don't see an up side for the U.S.
@@johnmcclain3887 on the contrary I love my old Triumph my 1965 with 500,000 Mi before I expect the cases in order to change the cams because the cams are simply worn out from age and mileage. Now I had delved into the transmission and the primary and the top end as things required because 40-year-old Parts only left so long. I love riding my TR6 and kick starting it in front of the Harley boys to show them how you start a real motorcycle. I just picked up a beautiful 1964 C15 Starfire with 6,000 original miles and all the paperwork from an estate sale. Can't wait to put that bike back on the road and it came with an alloy tank as well. The British bikes are rebuildable forever everything ran in bushings or in bearings everything Japanese runs in bare aluminum and when you wear it out you throw it away and buy a new one but Japanese bikes are not a $1,000 like they were back in the 60s but they are built the same way with disposability in mind. When I worked I rode my British bikes back and forth to work and they never let me down they were religiously reliable if not the fastest thing on the planet yet all of the British bikes outlasted all of the Fantastic Japanese bikes made to obsolete them where is the Japanese bikes were Obsolete and the British fights you can get better stuff from the aftermarket and when you could when they were brand new like alloy cylinders and belt drives etc etc. There's nothing like riding a British bike which is why you put up with the oil leaks they may not be able to keep the oil inside the engine but even a 250 handles like it's on Rails something that could not be said for its Japanese contemporaries.
@@johnmcclain3887 the British used to make all sorts of great stuff in the 1960s the mgb's the Triumph cars the dinky and the Matchbox toys Hornby trains as well as the Sci-Fi that came out of England during this period with the greatest that they ever had and then everything went downhill. The loss of the motorcycle industry was particularly pathetic. So many people used to be employed in those fields and now they're just memories so sad. But you can rebuild Hornby trains and British motorcycles forever because they were built in an age when you didn't have built-in obsolescence everything was made to last forever. I remember in the '70s when the price of a Triumph went up 50% a year and that put them out of the market. Plus so so quality control to the very end.
Thanks for all the information, I'm glad to know it, and that you still love the old ones. I mourn the quality loss, but figure the best I can do is take care of the ones I find. I've been wrenching and repairing them all my life. I just recently got my 78, and am working the bugs out slowly.
