1982 Triumph TSS, 744cc. Registration number CUG 456Y. Frame...

Hammer

£5,900

1982 Triumph TSS, 744cc. Registration number CUG 456Y. Frame number HEA 33802. Engine number HEA 33802.
The T140W TSS was the last motorcycle model at their Meriden factory. Designed to appeal to the US market, the TSS had an eight valve Weslake Engineering cylinder head developed by Triumph's Brian Jones from a 1978/9 design originally commissioned from Nourish Racing of Rutland following 1960s designs for the 650cc twins by the famed Rickman Brothers. Launched in 1982 with an electric starter as standard, the all-new top end of the engine featured Cooper rings sealing the 8-valve cylinder head to the barrel. American Morris alloy wheels were an option with dual Automotive Products Lockheed disc brakes upfront as standard. The fins of the black painted engine were polished although, like the Triumph TR65 Thunderbird, many alloy cycle parts that had in the past been bright-polished or chromed were now painted satin black. Mudguards were stainless steel as were the Italian Radaelli rims for the wire-spoked wheel option. The high specification air-oil 'Strada' rear suspension units were supplied by Italian firm Marzocchi. With only 438 units completing the entire production run, survivors are becoming increasingly rare.
The TSS, was well-received by testers. It was smooth, didn’t vibrate, didn’t leak oil and the brakes were more than respectable. Not only was the TSS well-mannered, but it was reportedly capable of almost 130mph. In its February 1983 issue, Rider magazine gave the TSS an enthusiastic thumbs up, calling the new Triumph “the best ever … fully capable of being compared with the latest from across the other ocean.” Rider further praised the new engine’s smoothness. “The bars don’t tingle, the seat doesn’t shake and the footrests just, well … sit there. If you have ridden an earlier Triumph, you won’t believe it.” The smoothness was reckoned to be a direct result of the stiffened crankshaft and new, lighter pistons.
CUG was bought new by Gerald Lootes of Halifax before selling it to John Walker of Doncaster in 2012. At that time the gearbox needed a rebuild as Lootes had started it up with the clutch plates stuck together so Walker rebuilt it. Our vendor bought it from him in 2015 as a keeper, only test riding it at Walkers. At that time the mileage was 4,500 and today it is 4,505.
Sold with the V5C and various paperwork, this highly original and low mileage bike will need recommissioning to be ridden.