Triuimph Rocket III

MarkB_MI · Mar 17, 2012

In case you were wondering how British motorcycles are made, this video gives an overview. It seems they do things differently in the UK.
Triumph Rocket III

Tom in TN · Mar 17, 2012

Okay, does any American actually understand British humor?

Very funny. Thanks for the link.

Tom in TN

Hay_Man · Mar 17, 2012

WOW....direct programmed using a female brain so that it can change directions in an instant! CooL! That should work!

dgasper · Mar 17, 2012

Absolutely smashing, old chap!

LJD · Mar 17, 2012

I still have an original Rocket III that was made by BSA and Triumph late 60s. But the Triumph version was called the Trident. Both are fun to look at and awful to keep running. Maybe this new one is built better? BSA and Triumph were once from the same company. Don't know how it works now?

I love my two cylinder Triumph Tiger 500, but the 1969 750 Rocket III and Trident are both pieces of junk.

<a href="http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m162/jdemaris/?action=view&current=BSARocketIII2.jpg" target="_blank">

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</a>

<a href="http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m162/jdemaris/?action=view&current=bsa-rocket-3-2.jpg" target="_blank">

bsa-rocket-3-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>

<a href="http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m162/jdemaris/?action=view&current=TriumphTridentT150.jpg" target="_blank">

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showcrop · Mar 17, 2012

(quoted from post at 09:20:19 03/17/12) I still have an original Rocket III that was made by BSA and Triumph late 60s. But the Triumph version was called the Trident. Both are fun to look at and awful to keep running. Maybe this new one is built better? BSA and Triumph were once from the same company. Don't know how it works now?

I love my two cylinder Triumph Tiger 500, but the 1969 750 Rocket III and Trident are both pieces of junk.

<a href="http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m162/jdemaris/?action=view&current=BSARocketIII2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m162/jdemaris/BSARocketIII2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m162/jdemaris/?action=view&current=bsa-rocket-3-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m162/jdemaris/bsa-rocket-3-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m162/jdemaris/?action=view&current=TriumphTridentT150.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m162/jdemaris/TriumphTridentT150.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

John, if you had a building to put everything in one place you would have Jay Leno in tears.

fixerupper · Mar 17, 2012

I had a Triumph Trophy 500 for a few years. Keeping that thing tuned right with those dual points was a little trying. Then the exhaust stubs in the head vibrated the threads out, and a footpeg vibrated off, never to be found again. Triumphs were aptly called the 'Prince of Darkness' for a good reason. At night I was always prepared to be doing 60 in the dark if the lights suddenly quit. My butt would itch from the vibes and parts were terribly expensive. I had to get used to those Wentworth, or whatever they were called, bolts. If a bolt is lost there is no replacement except from another junked British bike.

To it's credit, the low center of gravity made it a very easy handling bike, once I got used to the brake pedal on the left and shifter on the right. Thank goodness the front brake worked well!! But I sure do wish I had that bike now! Jim

LJD · Mar 17, 2012

As I recall it is LUCAS that holds the title of "prince of darkness", not Triumph. Legend says that's why the Brits like warm beer. The Lucas beer coolers were usually broken.

I get a kick out of the "ticklers" on the carbs instead of chokes. I suspect the EPA frowns on them. Push the "ticker" and it floods the carb and lets gas dribble all over the engine. They DO work well though.

I love my 500 twin Tiger. Nice and simple. I also have a 1959 Royal Enfield Meteor-Minor 500 twin. Another nice, crude, but rugged British bike. It has the trans shifter PLUS a neutral finder which you don't see much on older bikes.

Also still have my 60s Honda twin 305 Hawk. Probably best bike I've ever owned and much more reliable then any British bike. But it IS still a rice-burner and doesn't have the same charm.

Paul from MI · Mar 17, 2012

I had a 1952 Norton ES 2, 500cc single. One of the machines that made me one of the best self taught mechanics ever. Wrench on it all week to ride it on Sunday. The electricals were impossible to keep operating, fortunately the magneto was reliable or I'd have never gotten home, dark or not. The European saying "You can always tell a car with Lucas brakes by the smashed in grille" isn't far from the truth. Still wish I had it back to ride on Sundays.

flyingace · Mar 17, 2012

My dad had a '69 441 Victor single. He let me ride the wheels off the thing.
I went everywhere on it, overnighters, week-long trips, day rides. It never once left me stranded. I think that was nothing short of miraculous.

Mel in SW Iowa · Mar 17, 2012

LJD is correct, Lucas is the prince of darkness. If I had a Trident or Rocket 3 that ran, I would sell it before it didn't. Fixerupper, you only think your 500 vibrated a lot, try riding a BSA 441 Victor for a while. Apparently engine balancing had not been a priority for the Brits in the 1960's and 1970's,because they all vibrated parts and pieces off. It took a real competent mechanic to ride one very far. Some riders pushed them as far as they rode them. Locktite and safety wire are the Brit rider's friends. Brand new Triumphs and BSA's with Amal concentrics would need the carb idle's balanced out each time you came to a stop if you were picky about idle quality.

gtractorfan · Mar 17, 2012

Back in the '60's I had a Cushman Eagle, then saw this Triumph TR6 650 at work. Asked the guy if he'd sell it, he did and wow, that was an accident waiting to happen with this novice kid. Glad nothing happened, been riding various cycles since.

Dachshund · Mar 17, 2012

I have a 1967 Thunderbolt, 1967 Lightning, and a couple other BSA bikes (including a 441). I've never had ANY of them vibrate excessively. Lucas isn't hard to work with - I've had good luck with it.

Russ from MN · Mar 17, 2012

I started out with a 650 Bonneville for a couple of years, then a 500 Daytona for 25 years. after 10 years without now I have a 98 Thunderbird sport, 900 triple, more power than you can use sensibly!

ShadetreeRet · Mar 17, 2012

At last, a commercial that is refreshingly different! And we had to go to Jolly Old England to get that.
Anyone know why they don't build computers in England?
'Cause they can't get them to leak oil!

Triuimph Rocket III

MarkB_MI

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Tom in TN

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Hay_Man

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dgasper

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LJD

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showcrop

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fixerupper

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LJD

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Paul from MI

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flyingace

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Mel in SW Iowa

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gtractorfan

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Dachshund

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Russ from MN

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ShadetreeRet

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