And today I saw a plethora (what a lovely word) of triples

Flatspot

Flatspot

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All in one place, around 6 x T150 and 6 x T160 or maybe more, my eyes couldn’t take in what I was seeing.

US spec, UK spec and one Cardinal Saudi spec with low compression engine. Right foot gearchange

One of the T160 was brand new, never registered or ridden.

And a proper ratty mk3 Commando
IMG_1810.jpeg

I’ve picked my jaw up off the ground now.
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All are for sale, except for the Commando.

I’ve got my T160 and Commando to play with. I’m considering a Z900RS for an everyday runaround, but I’m off to Norway in a few weeks time for 3 months so it can wait.
 
Would love one of those yellow/white T160s.... Alas my financiers (the great British taxpayer) say no :-(
 
Flatspot said:
All in one place, around 6 x T150 and 6 x T160 or maybe more, my eyes couldn’t take in what I was seeing.

US spec, UK spec and one Cardinal Saudi spec with low compression engine. Right foot gearchange

One of the T160 was brand new, never registered or ridden.

And a proper ratty mk3 Commando
View attachment 107319
I’ve picked my jaw up off the ground now. View attachment 107320View attachment 107321
Click to expand...
An interesting stash.

Are these advertised ?

Purely out of curiosity, what’s the asking price for the unused T160 ?
 
Not advertised. I didn’t want to get too nosy regarding the possible price.

The Cardinal - is right hand gear change an oddity?
 
Flatspot said:
Not advertised. I didn’t want to get too nosy regarding the possible price.

The Cardinal - is right hand gear change an oddity?
Click to expand...
Didn't notice the rh gearchange
What arrangement did it have to operate the rear disc brake?
 
Flatspot said:
Cardinal
Click to expand...

It is my understanding that only the bikes sold on the UK market were 'Cardinals'. The Saudi T160s were Police spec. 'Tridents'.

1976 Triumph Cardinal

A comprehensive resource for the BSA Rocket3 and the Triumph Trident Triples - classic British motorcycles that were built from 1968 to 1975
www.triplesonline.com
"Five shipments, totaling 450 bikes, were sent to Saudi Arabia. Another 130 were still in the UK when the Saudis cancelled the order and in early 1977 NVT Motorcycles decided to sell them on the home market as the Triumph Cardinal."
 
L.A.B. said:
It is my understanding that only the bikes sold on the UK market were 'Cardinals'. The Saudi T160s were Police spec. 'Tridents'.

1976 Triumph Cardinal

A comprehensive resource for the BSA Rocket3 and the Triumph Trident Triples - classic British motorcycles that were built from 1968 to 1975
www.triplesonline.com
"Five shipments, totaling 450 bikes, were sent to Saudi Arabia. Another 130 were still in the UK when the Saudis cancelled the order and in early 1977 NVT Motorcycles decided to sell them on the home market as the Triumph Cardinal."
Click to expand...
I had noticed that it had the “Cardinal” rubber mounted footpegs, like the one I’ve just recommissioned, and that it also has a “L” stamped into the front engine mounting signifying Low compression. I’m just sorry I didn't know enough to want to dig deeper. I do fancy going back on the Commando some time, firstly to give it a bit of an airing, and also to show him how my CNW starter is successful in place of the kicker. He’s got a Dunstall Commando that is rather difficult to start.
 
Flatspot said:
I had noticed that it had the “Cardinal” rubber mounted footpegs, like the one I’ve just recommissioned,...
Click to expand...

Late T160 than specifically Cardinal, therefore, potentially Saudi Tridents as well as other late T160s, although Cardinals did have them.

Flatspot said:
...and that it also has a “L” stamped into the front engine mounting signifying Low compression.
Click to expand...

Yes, well, according to NT Service Release NTE 40/T3/17 (June 1975) all T160s from serial 04075 except for those destined for the US market were supposed to be "Low Compression" (with the 'L' stamped on the front engine mounting boss) so a low comp. 'L' engine doesn't necessarily identify a Saudi bike although it probably is because it seems that not all non-US market T160s from 04075 had low comp. engines.
 
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I really am going to have to get myself another visit and have a much closer look. I’m getting my Sherlock Holmes head ready
 
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