1959 Triumph Motorcycles Bonneville Trophybird & More - 2-Page Vintage Article

Description

1959 Triumph Motorcycles Bonneville Trophybird & More - 2-Page Vintage Article
Original, Vintage Magazine Article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
Triumph, with careful attention to the
rider’s requirements and preferences,
has inaugurated many changes for 1959
and announces several completely new
models which include the following: 40
cu. in. Bonneville 120; 30.50 cu. in.
Streamliners; Cub lightweights; and two
motor sizes in the new Tigress scooter.
Other models ranging from 175cc to 650cc
are: 'DIO Road Cruiser; TR6/A Trophy-
bird Road Sports; TR6/B Trophybird
Scrambler; 6T Thunderbird; T100 Tiger;
TR5/A-D Trophy Road Sports; 3T/A
Twenty-One Streamliner; T100/RS 30.50
cu. in. racer; T20 Road Cub; T20/J
Junior Cub; and a T20/C-A Road Sports
Tiger Cub.
Constant improvement is being made
in mechanical and electrical details to in-
sure higher performance, improved relia-
bility, longer service, quieter and more
efficient operation, and greater cleanliness.
Triumphs have been design leaders for
over 50 years and the 1959 range con-
tinues to lead in fine new engineering
features.
Newest of the 650cc models is the
Bonneville T120. This new OHV vertical
twin has splayed port alloy cylinder head
and twin 1-1/16" special Monobloc car-
buretors with rubber mounted remote
float bowl; twin feed gasoline taps; 8.5:1
compression ratio pistons; racing inlet
cam; sports exhaust cam; racing valve
springs; new one-piece forged crankshaft
with bolt-on flywheel; new froth tower
on oil lank for continuous high perform-
ance operation; manual advance magneto;
Triumph’s unique straight-through “hi-fi”
twin mufflers and 114" down-swept dual
exhaust system; sports type gasoline tank;
and an 8" full width polished front brake.
The new Triumph “Bonneville 120”
provides the highest known performance
of any motorcycle sold in the world today
and will be the choice of the expert rider.
Color: Two-tone tangerine and pearl gray,
with black frame.
Of the many 500cc models, the biggest
change ever seen in this 30.50 cu. in. en-
gine is die power plant in the all new
Speed Twin Streamliner. This sparkler
with an all new streamlined tail section
incorporates an OHV “over-square” ver-
tical twin engine 69mm bore x 65.5mm
stroke. Provides high performance with
turbine-like smoothness and exceptional
mechanical silence with extremely easy
starling and proven reliability. As with
all Triumphs, adjustable hydraulically
controlled rear suspension and hydraulic
front forks are incorporated.
The “over-square” engine of brand new
design throughout and of efficient and
robust construction in unit with the gear-
box features a clean external appearance.
Special care is also embodied in the de-
sign to prevent oil leaks. Unusual accessi-
bility and case of maintenance for the
engine unit is provided. This machine em-
bodies all of Triumph’s over 50 years of
experience as leaders in the motorcycle
industry, and is offered at a price more
competitive than any machine even re-
motely to be considered in the same class.
Color: Continental red.
The popular Twenty-One Streamliner
21 cu. in. (350cc) is similar in general
concept to the extremely modern Speed
Twin. The Twenty-One’s principal dif-
ference is in respect to its smaller capa-
city engine, employing 7:1 compression
ration. The Twenty-One is adequate for
those who require a very easy starting and
tractable machine for city and highway
use, but are not interested in extremely
high speed. It will have special appeal
to mature riders and to the ladies. This
extremely popular model introduced last
year comes in azure blue.
Triumph's highly successful and very
popular Tiger Cub lightweight is now
offered in a wide variety of patterns spe-
cially suited to various types of service.
This popular model which comes in five
series incorporates the famous four-cycle
OHV single cylinder engine noted for its
reliability and easy starting, high in per-
formance, and economical on both oil and
gasoline. The new T20 Cub for 1959 in-
corporates a new streamlined fuel tank
and new and modern semi-enclosure of
the rear portion of the machine thus pro-
viding better weather protection and im-
proved appearance. Similar to the T20 is
the T20/J but in special junior form
(certified by the factor to produce 5 h.p.),
as required in those states with special
legislation provided for 14-16 year old
riders. Next are the T20/C1A and T20/C
which are basically similar with the excep-
tion of a fitted upswept exhaust system
on the T20/C. These two new models
have 9:1 compression ratio piston with
high duty piston rings and the latest
cylinder barrel of improved design with
increased finning; close ratio gears; addi-
tional gearbox sprocket seal; Zenith car-
buretor; twinseat with extra folding foot
rest for pillion passenger; ribbed rubber
fork gaiters; narrow competition gas tank
and prop stand with skid plate under
engine for protection when used off the
road.
Latest addition to the Cub line is die
scrambler or racing model. The Triumph
factory will produce for the 1959 season
a limited number of this completely new
model specially designed for the sporting
enthusiast interested in lightweight racing
and AMA Sportsman events. This model
is not equipped with lighting equipment
or muffler and thus is not suitable for
general road use. Here is a genuine light-
weight racer in “Ready-to-Race” form.
The engine has been built with the latest
factory racing kit (available for other
model Cubs) parts which include high
compression piston, racing camshaft, over-
size inlet valve, racing valve springs,
15/16" bore special Monobloc carburetor
with remote float chamber. Color: Two-
tone ivory- and blue.
For the first time Triumph announces
for 1959 a range of modern scooters. They
are offered with alternative power units,
one being a vertical twin (four-cycle
OHV) of 250cc capacity and resulting high
performance, and the second with a lower
powered motor of 175cc single cylinder
two-cycle design.
The transmission is by engine shaft
clutch, gear driven to a four-speed gear-
box, and finally by chain in a cast chain
bath which forms a sprung swinging-arm
carrying the rear wheel. Engine cooling
is by motor driven fan and thus inde-
pendent of road speed and ideal for rid-
ing in congested traffic, etc.
Front and rear wheels, 3.50 x 10, are
quickly detachable and interchangeable.
Performance of the twin is adequate for
touring, two-up with luggage, and with
excellent speed averages. It has accelera-
tion that will enable it to hold its own
with all forms of traffic, and every effort
has been made to insure that they are
simple to drive and docile to handle.
They are of lightweight proportion which
can be easily managed by young and old
and by the ladies as well as the men.
For further details on Triumph motor-
cycles for 1959. obtain a color catalog
through Triumph’s distributors: In the
East; The Triumph Corp.. Towson, Bal-
timore, Md. In the West; Johnson Motors,
Inc., Pasadena. Calif.: or from your nearby
Triumph dealer.
14546-AL-5901-23