Used to drive a T150V (1972 version) in the Netherlands for about 15 years from 1978 on. I truly loved that machine, the feel, the sound; every vibration; you didn't need a speedometer or tachometer, you just felt how fast you were going (usually too fast...) and in which gear (mine had 5 gears). It was also my first motorcycle, back in 1978 the traffic laws in the Netherlands were quite easy; You could buy a motorcycle, pay taxes for it, have it insured AND prove you were following lessons after which you were allowed to attach a big L plate on it and start driving around your town. The prove of "taking lessons" was limited to register at a driving school and show the prove of registration, not 1 lesson was taken yet.. You can image the giant leap I made going right from my 50cc Puch moped to the T150 (Which made 80km/hour easily in first gear) . I used the T150 to go to work every day (about 20 minute drive) but I very often use the "long way" home, just to be able to drive and truly enjoy the ride a little longer. I still jump out of my chair if I hear a T150 passing by and my hart starts beating faster. Enjoyed the review, Thank you! Ron PS: traffic laws are tougher now, you're not allowed anymore to drive without a driver license and you must start with 125cc and after 2 years you may move to bigger engines. haha
Easy - fit Mikuni carbs, hydraulic clutch and a 850 conversion…sorted, a Trident that starts easily, runs really smoothly, pulls like a train and can be slipped into neutral when stationary. Love it
Clutch is better than you think when set up properly, and I don't mean by the book. The centre adjusting nut has to be adjusted so that it will turn freely one way and not the other (less than the clearance the manual states) then buy a one inch pull lever and leave some clearance at the bar and it's a different animal. Top end leaks are often caused by skimming and not allowing for it in the pushrod counter bores and then using the wrong thickness pushrod rubbers, over compression is the main cause. Carbs can be balanced to get the sweet motor ticking at under 500 rpm. Lash caps and mushroom adjusters give long adjustment periods and alleviate guide wear. Last, put a drinking straw over the free end of the clutch cable stop oil coming out of the adjuster/abutment.
I’ve had many 650 triumphs and none of them vibrated anything like you described. I’ve had several T150s, they’re a definite improvement, a wonderful engine
If i ever get anxiety from owning my T160, it goes great and i will always fettle it to make it better , but i love to watch your video ,relaxing to watch .
An interesting and intelligent video. I’m building a 1000cc big bore T150 special, with Suzuki GS1000 air assist forks, twin discs, flat slide carbs, half race cams, electric start, T160 rear hub, Hinckley triumph mudguards and indicators and a few other interesting bits. Costing an absolute arm and a leg! Hopefully it will sound and go as well as yours!
Excellent video! , a concise, accurate history of the triple's origins, & good concise description of the pros & cons of owning & riding one, also great visual shots of both riding this powerful machine plus great shots of it roaring by eith that distinctive 3 cylinder howl !
Great video mate , nearly finished building my 1972 150, Had one years ago and always regretted getting rid of , yes they have their faults as you say, we tend to only remember the good points so thanks for being honest, really enjoyed the review.
A quality introduction to the characterful T150; thank you. I’m currently considering one (well, have been for two years) but only slightly being put off by friends warning me of unreliability, weight, poor starting and heinous fuel consumption…..the weight issue would concern my old sixty four year old bones, however. I’m looking to part with my Guzzi Le Mans 3; please don’t let it be a regretful decision!
love my t150v ,sweet bike when sorted,lucky to have clive blake nearby big name in the trident world top mechanic.the clutch is fine when set up right.twin disc,ikon shocks,boyer,had the carbs refurbed by richard darby re sleeved,always feel invigourated after a ride.
Had a '75 t150v for 4yrs in '70's and only had a rectifier go,and was used daily at speed! Terrible on fuel,but i did have bigger jets and bellmouths which made it better and easier to tickle middle carb. Had to keep one finger on front brake in rain to counterract stupid chroming. Great bike and wish i still had it,was smoother than my Commando which only had two postions on throttle-wide open and shut! My '76 850 is smoother with Mikuni carb. Good video
Being brought up with British bikes I was adamant I was going to have a trident 😂 when I was 14 I bought the heynes manual read it front to back and inside out!! But when I was 19 I chance to ride a T150, boy was I disappointed ☹️ the only good thing I could say about it was the sound it made, my Kawasaki z650 wiped the floor with it but even now 48 years later I still want one, who knows one day!!!!
I do not know but you mention the vibration problem only on the bigger engines. I have been riding these bikes since 35 years ago as a TRANSPORTATION; pre unit 500 vibrates only at higher speeds until I dismantled and send the crank to balance; bad vibrations gone. I have 2 T140 and I ride at strong speeds but the vibration is ok and no more than what the 500 have. A buddy in USA have an early T140 since new and vibrated like hell but last year they finally dismantled the motor and matched the rods etc but NO BALANCING was done and then the bike is smooth and perfect better than when he bought it new... -Regarding what you mention about Honda; that was what the general public wanted; AKA no more wrench time...like now. however; tridents were more agile (but rougher) and those Honda did not leaked oil due to the crankcases are horizontal fella. Weld work was not better and final detail besides the copyness are just ok not quality.
Nice video. I have a '74. Last of the "Real" ones.😄 Built in August so not sure if its a Triumph build or a BSA build, though Ive read all the Trident engines were built by BSA. Had it nearly 10 years and pulled it 1/2 apart, suppose I should put it together and ride it, you have given me some incentive. Do you have the Tri Spark installed? Apparently it does wonders.....I hope so, they are just down the road so I should buy one. (Adelaide, South Oz).
Always thought that the Trident was a prototype that escaped the drawing board should never had made it into production Triumph offered it to the Soviets they took one look at the drawings and ran a mile having said that when they are running right they are fantastic and truly one of the best sounding motorcycles of all time
My clutch was rather light to use, the middle carb issue was easy as I had long fingers, setting the carbs? I used that old trick of the 3 pencils, the tyres were great in wet and dry, the knicker elastic had to be changed at around 3000 miles, my problem was that zener diode, drove me bonkers. The middle cylinder suffered from heat issues and blew the head gasket at least 2 in one year. Oil? It did leak, but more like a mist on the rocker covers. On the whole she was a great ride and a much better bike than the Bonnie!
exactly like my t150v ,tho i`ve fitted a girling stainless front disc which is lots better, stainless rear mudguard handlebars and chainguard ,it was an abused orphan when i got it but now its cherished ,& back in good shape,
I had a Trident marvellous bike but should have never made it of the drawing board if you ever own one you'd better like maintenance heavy throttle and heavy clutch don't help either
Interesting video, thanks, also enjoyed your airhead analysis. My friends and I have done a few bike videos (including a Rocket Three) over on the Lemon Drizzle Gang channel, some on the same roads as you! Complete coincidence, didn't discover your channel until after we did a few of them! Here's the link to the BSA vid ruclips.net/video/u3wUnv53QdI/видео.html
I would think the front brake could be swapped to something more modern...maybe complete with the forks for said brakes? I think I would have to redo everything that immediately limits cornering ability even if offended some purists collector geeks that demand every piece stay original ....I might even change the rims if the stocks severely limited tire choice although I somehow doubt 17" rims would work well??
Have a drilled disk on my T150V , great improvement in dry and when wet, floating disks are also avaliable. Have Girling shocks on back 1" longer and uprated fork springs, does need piece of wood under main stand though to clear back wheel with the longer shocks
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Used to drive a T150V (1972 version) in the Netherlands for about 15 years from 1978 on. I truly loved that machine, the feel, the sound; every vibration; you didn't need a speedometer or tachometer, you just felt how fast you were going (usually too fast...) and in which gear (mine had 5 gears). It was also my first motorcycle, back in 1978 the traffic laws in the Netherlands were quite easy; You could buy a motorcycle, pay taxes for it, have it insured AND prove you were following lessons after which you were allowed to attach a big L plate on it and start driving around your town. The prove of "taking lessons" was limited to register at a driving school and show the prove of registration, not 1 lesson was taken yet.. You can image the giant leap I made going right from my 50cc Puch moped to the T150 (Which made 80km/hour easily in first gear) . I used the T150 to go to work every day (about 20 minute drive) but I very often use the "long way" home, just to be able to drive and truly enjoy the ride a little longer. I still jump out of my chair if I hear a T150 passing by and my hart starts beating faster. Enjoyed the review, Thank you! Ron
PS: traffic laws are tougher now, you're not allowed anymore to drive without a driver license and you must start with 125cc and after 2 years you may move to bigger engines. haha
Of all the bikes I've owned my 73 T150V is still my favorite. Just a special machine. I wish I still had it.
Same here, my owned from new 1973 T150v was a gem, smooth no oil leaks and a joy to own and ride….dark red tank not the yellow one.
always remember why you got rid
Easy - fit Mikuni carbs, hydraulic clutch and a 850 conversion…sorted, a Trident that starts easily, runs really smoothly, pulls like a train and can be slipped into neutral when stationary. Love it
Clutch is better than you think when set up properly, and I don't mean by the book.
The centre adjusting nut has to be adjusted so that it will turn freely one way and not the other (less than the clearance the manual states) then buy a one inch pull lever and leave some clearance at the bar and it's a different animal.
Top end leaks are often caused by skimming and not allowing for it in the pushrod counter bores and then using the wrong thickness pushrod rubbers, over compression is the main cause.
Carbs can be balanced to get the sweet motor ticking at under 500 rpm.
Lash caps and mushroom adjusters give long adjustment periods and alleviate guide wear.
Last, put a drinking straw over the free end of the clutch cable stop oil coming out of the adjuster/abutment.
I’ve had many 650 triumphs and none of them vibrated anything like you described. I’ve had several T150s, they’re a definite improvement, a wonderful engine
If i ever get anxiety from owning my T160, it goes great and i will always fettle it to make it better , but i love to watch your video ,relaxing to watch .
What a review! A thick slab of objectivity glued together by an obvious love for the bike. Warts ‘n’ all. Great vid.
An interesting and intelligent video. I’m building a 1000cc big bore T150 special, with Suzuki GS1000 air assist forks, twin discs, flat slide carbs, half race cams, electric start, T160 rear hub, Hinckley triumph mudguards and indicators and a few other interesting bits. Costing an absolute arm and a leg! Hopefully it will sound and go as well as yours!
Excellent video! , a concise, accurate history of the triple's origins, & good concise description of the pros & cons of owning & riding one, also great visual shots of both riding this powerful machine plus great shots of it roaring by eith that distinctive 3 cylinder howl !
I have 71 , love it and I’m slowly getting it sorted , thinking of going to electric start if I can source the parts affordable
Great video mate , nearly finished building my 1972 150, Had one years ago and always regretted getting rid of , yes they have their faults as you say, we tend to only remember the good points so thanks for being honest, really enjoyed the review.
Awesome video. I pick up a 73 tomorrow, can't wait!
I had one of these. Same vintage. Splendid review.
Great review, thank you.
A quality introduction to the characterful T150; thank you. I’m currently considering one (well, have been for two years) but only slightly being put off by friends warning me of unreliability, weight, poor starting and heinous fuel consumption…..the weight issue would concern my old sixty four year old bones, however. I’m looking to part with my Guzzi Le Mans 3; please don’t let it be a regretful decision!
love my t150v ,sweet bike when sorted,lucky to have clive blake nearby big name in the trident world top mechanic.the clutch is fine when set up right.twin disc,ikon shocks,boyer,had the carbs refurbed by richard darby re sleeved,always feel invigourated after a ride.
I remember these bikes with much fondness though I never owned one.
I have a t150t and it’s always been oil tight but personally I believe oil tightness comes down to care in assembly.
Wow amazing videos! First found your stuff from the midget video but now I see you make motorcycle stuff. Keep it up!
Had a '75 t150v for 4yrs in '70's and only had a rectifier go,and was used daily at speed! Terrible on fuel,but i did have bigger jets and bellmouths which made it better and easier to tickle middle carb. Had to keep one finger on front brake in rain to counterract stupid chroming. Great bike and wish i still had it,was smoother than my Commando which only had two postions on throttle-wide open and shut! My '76 850 is smoother with Mikuni carb. Good video
You should have just taken the discs to the chrome platers and had them de chromed
@@Cobra427Veight one thing prevented that,i was a 3rd yr apprentice on £30 a week!
Being brought up with British bikes I was adamant I was going to have a trident 😂 when I was 14 I bought the heynes manual read it front to back and inside out!! But when I was 19 I chance to ride a T150, boy was I disappointed ☹️ the only good thing I could say about it was the sound it made, my Kawasaki z650 wiped the floor with it but even now 48 years later I still want one, who knows one day!!!!
What a good video lovely bike and you ride it well good stuff 👍
I do not know but you mention the vibration problem only on the bigger engines. I have been riding these bikes since 35 years ago as a TRANSPORTATION; pre unit 500 vibrates only at higher speeds until I dismantled and send the crank to balance; bad vibrations gone. I have 2 T140 and I ride at strong speeds but the vibration is ok and no more than what the 500 have.
A buddy in USA have an early T140 since new and vibrated like hell but last year they finally dismantled the motor and matched the rods etc but NO BALANCING was done and then the bike is smooth and perfect better than when he bought it new...
-Regarding what you mention about Honda; that was what the general public wanted; AKA no more wrench time...like now. however; tridents were more agile (but rougher) and those Honda did not leaked oil due to the crankcases are horizontal fella. Weld work was not better and final detail besides the copyness are just ok not quality.
Nice video. I have a '74. Last of the "Real" ones.😄 Built in August so not sure if its a Triumph build or a BSA build, though Ive read all the Trident engines were built by BSA. Had it nearly 10 years and pulled it 1/2 apart, suppose I should put it together and ride it, you have given me some incentive. Do you have the Tri Spark installed? Apparently it does wonders.....I hope so, they are just down the road so I should buy one. (Adelaide, South Oz).
😍my 73
My T160 doesn't leak a single drop of oil
Probably the engine has never been apart
I had a T160 from new and it never leaked a drop of oil. Of all the bikes I’ve owned over the years it’s the T160 that I miss the most.
Always thought that the Trident was a prototype that escaped the drawing board should never had made it into production Triumph offered it to the Soviets they took one look at the drawings and ran a mile having said that when they are running right they are fantastic and truly one of the best sounding motorcycles of all time
My clutch was rather light to use, the middle carb issue was easy as I had long fingers, setting the carbs? I used that old trick of the 3 pencils, the tyres were great in wet and dry, the knicker elastic had to be changed at around 3000 miles, my problem was that zener diode, drove me bonkers. The middle cylinder suffered from heat issues and blew the head gasket at least 2 in one year. Oil? It did leak, but more like a mist on the rocker covers. On the whole she was a great ride and a much better bike than the Bonnie!
I owned one in 73 liked it. Liked my commando better. On the Trident I just tickled the outside carbs. Screams like a banchee.
Get some Norman hide bits for your clutch it will be light as a feather 👍🏻 pull rod/ cable makes a difference
exactly like my t150v ,tho i`ve fitted a girling stainless front disc which is lots better,
stainless rear mudguard handlebars and chainguard ,it was an abused orphan
when i got it but now its cherished ,& back in good shape,
I had a Trident marvellous bike but should have never made it of the drawing board if you ever own one you'd better like maintenance heavy throttle and heavy clutch don't help either
Interesting video, thanks, also enjoyed your airhead analysis. My friends and I have done a few bike videos (including a Rocket Three) over on the Lemon Drizzle Gang channel, some on the same roads as you! Complete coincidence, didn't discover your channel until after we did a few of them! Here's the link to the BSA vid ruclips.net/video/u3wUnv53QdI/видео.html
The problem was they were trying to sell a 1961 motorcycle to a 1968 world
BACK WHEN REAL MEN RODE MOTORBIKES
not stabbing men
I would think the front brake could be swapped to something more modern...maybe complete with the forks for said brakes? I think I would have to redo everything that immediately limits cornering ability even if offended some purists collector geeks that demand every piece stay original ....I might even change the rims if the stocks severely limited tire choice although I somehow doubt 17" rims would work well??
Have a drilled disk on my T150V , great improvement in dry and when wet, floating disks are also avaliable. Have Girling shocks on back 1" longer and uprated fork springs, does need piece of wood under main stand though to clear back wheel with the longer shocks
The front looks terrible. Mudguard.
What is the problem or what happened?
Best regards 🍀
Only Japan, NOT ASIA OR ARABIA, and DEFINITELY NOT AFRICA, were able to produce better motorcycles .