BSA Rocket 3/Triumph Trident

Not to be confused with the Triumph Rocket III or the Triumph Rocket 3.

Triumph Trident/BSA Rocket 3
Trident T150
ManufacturerTriumph Engineering and BSA
Also calledT150/T160, Rocket III, Rocket Three
Production1968–1975
EngineAir-cooled 740 cc (45 cu in) OHV triple
Bore / stroke67 mm × 70 mm (2.6 in × 2.8 in)
Compression ratio9.5:1
Top speed117.03 mph (188.34 km/h)[1]
Power58 bhp (43 kW) @ 7,500 rpm[2]
TransmissionDry clutch, 4 speed, chain, 5 speed on T150V and T160
Frame typeSteel
SuspensionTelescopic fork, swingarm
Brakes1968–1971: 2LS drum/drum
1972–1975: disc/drum
1975: disc/disk T160
Tires3.25-19, 4.10-19
Wheelbase57.5 in (1,460 mm)
DimensionsW: 22.7
Seat height31.7 in (805.18 mm)
Weight468 lb (212 kg)[2] (dry)
499 lb (226 kg) (1/2 tank)[1] (wet)
Fuel capacity5.12 US gal (19.4 L; 4.26 imp gal)
Fuel consumption30–40 mpg‑US (7.8–5.9 L/100 km; 36–48 mpg‑imp)[2]

The Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3 was a technically advanced, high-performance roadster (or standard) motorcycle made by Triumph Engineering and BSA (both companies part of the Birmingham Small Arms Company) from 1968 to 1975, and sold under both the Triumph and BSA marques.[1] Alongside the Honda CB750, and later the two-stroke Kawasaki triples, it brought a new level of sophistication to street motorcycles, marking the beginning of the superbike era.[3][4][5] The Honda CB750 overshadowed the Trident to be remembered as the 'first superbike', in spite of the Triumph Trident actually debuting before the Honda by a few weeks.[3][4][5]

It had a 58 bhp (43 kW), 740-cubic-centimetre (45 cu in) air-cooled OHV unit construction straight-three engine, with four gears and a conventional chassis and suspension.[2] The engine had less vibration than the existing 360° twins. The Rocket 3/Trident was part of Triumph's plan to extend the model range beyond their 650 cc parallel twins. It was the last major motorcycle developed by Triumph at Meriden, West Midlands, created to meet the demands of the US market. Although BSA experienced serious financial difficulties, 27,480 Rocket 3/Tridents were produced during its seven-year history.[6]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference CW1968 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Tooth2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference HOF-Honda750 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference HOF-superbike was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Lyons1992 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Bacon, 1995. p.114