Any TSS owners ?

Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

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A very bad man is sorely temptimg me with a return to TSS ownership. I bought one in ‘94 and toured on it and thrashed it and kept up with Japanese bikes on it and generally really liked the thing.

There weren’t many made, and there’s even fewer still around today, it got me to wondering if there are any owners on here...?
 
I had a very nice, totally original one (well, if I'd have installed the original mufflers on it before I sold it). Thoroughly modern bike, totally reliable (as it should be).

Any TSS owners ?
 
I like them too! But, very rare in Florida. I saw one at "Riding into History" bike show three years ago.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Well I know they’re rare...

But really...?

No one...??
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One owner here in Kentucky. Bought my TSS new in 1983 and rode it for a few years until leaks (and a new FJ1200) caused me to park it. Kept oil in it and kicked it over for all the intervening years until I took it into a shop for "refreshing". I hope to have it back soon for next year's riding season. I have wondered myself how many remaining TSS were out there. When I purchased mine in '83, the dealer told me it was out of a shipment of 52 bikes.
 
Nice story Rob.

Hope it has a happy ending and your TSS comes back running well and behaving itself!

Of course, we really need PICTURES Rob, pictures, pictures....
 
Thanks ..if I could figure out how to post a pic, I would...lol, technically challenged I am. In any case, the bike is getting a "level B" restoration by Randy Creel in Rhodesville, VA...all components except engine being rebuilt and some cosmetic work. Only changes from stock were a slightly larger rear sprocket (3 teeth), Amal Mk II carbs (the Bings caused a "stumble" when the throttle was snapped open at low rpm) and a Boyer electronic ignition system. The bike ran well when parked...just leaked...and Randy found everything pristine when he took the outer covers off to reseal.
 
Robert Bays said:
Thanks ..if I could figure out how to post a pic, I would...lol, technically challenged I am. In any case, the bike is getting a "level B" restoration by Randy Creel in Rhodesville, VA...all components except engine being rebuilt and some cosmetic work. Only changes from stock were a slightly larger rear sprocket (3 teeth), Amal Mk II carbs (the Bings caused a "stumble" when the throttle was snapped open at low rpm) and a Boyer electronic ignition system. The bike ran well when parked...just leaked...and Randy found everything pristine when he took the outer covers off to reseal.
Click to expand...

Any TSS owners ?
Any TSS owners ?
Almost there...
 
I never had any mechanical issues, other than the carburator change to Amal that I mentioned previously. The leaks (I think) we're more reflective of a lack of attention to detail that the factory may have been experiencing as they fell into bankruptcy...i did not experience any "porisity" leaks from bad castings. In any case, no valve problems (knock on wood) in the 6,629 miles I put on the bike initially.
 
That looks lovely... I’ll trade you my better than new T140...!

I did many hard miles on a TSS.

The head gasket can leak, it’s a cooper ring and a questionable design.

I had a valve seat drop.

I had two heads crack.

It’s all fixable though with various modern interventions.

When running well they are, by far, the smoothest and fastest Triumph twin.

Although I toured the U.K. and Europe on mine, it also got thrashed mercilessly. Regularly.

Eventually the crank cases split in half, something that normally only happens to race Triumphs.

They’re fun IMHO, hence I tried to buy my old one back recently!

But with the demise of Nourish, keeping one in good fettle won’t be easy in future. Most TSS owners who actually ride them, ride them very gently in order to preserve them and limit the required mechanical intervention. Whilst this is understanble, it does negate the entire purpose of a TSS and you’d actually be better off with a simpler, and basically more reliable, T140 or even TR7.
 
Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll hang on to the old girl for a bit longer. I always rode her "briskly" and installed the larger rear sprocket to keep my riding companions challenged in the tight, twisty roads of the Appalachians. My friends rode a Jota, VFR750, 900 Kaw, etc, so I was always a bit HP challenged, but on tight roads, the TSS was very competitive. I sold my MTS 1200 last year so I'm giving up almost 100 HP, but still looking forward to riding the TSS...and yes, I'll be a bit more "careful" with her.
 
Remembering my TSS has caused me to become nostalgic. Here are a couple of pics of my other project that is ongoing...another blast from my past. I got this ride in 1977 when my oldest son was born. It's a Rickman with a modified 1967 T120 engine (750 Sonny Routt kit, flowed head, MKII carbs, drilled/lightened/peened gears, "Q" cams...very aggressive lift). It weighs 325 pounds dry and is geared for 120 at redline (it only mounts a tach). I traded my 1974 T150V for the engine to the Triumph dealer where I worked while going to school He said I could have any parts in the shop for the engine...HA! he didn't know I knew where he hid his "good stuff" that we used to build the engine. I sold the bike to my best friend after my brother in law was killed in a MC accident and my family asked me to step away from bikes for a while. I bought it back many years later and it was in need of a rebuild. I am awaiting the frame back from a shop in Ohio. The engine is rebuilt and I only need to rebuild the peripheral components and assemble. It is a screamer of a little ride, the only downside being that at my age the thought of the riding position makes my back and wrists hurt.

Any TSS owners ?
 
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