1969 Triumph Daytona

By 1966 Harley Davidson had a stranglehold on the Daytona 200. HD had won 3 in a row and 10 of the previous 11 (a Triumph in ‘62). That changed in 1966 when Buddy Elmore blistered the long infield course with a 96 MPH race average on a Triumph prepared works bike based on the 500 CC Tiger. Triumph introduced an improved 500 CC bike in 1967 named after the race. In February 1967 Gary Nixon won the Daytona 200 on a new Triumph Daytona.

The Triumph Daytona was obviously race bred, and the power plant had a disturbing tendency toward high oil consumption and high wear until an engine design change for the 1969 models addressed the problems.

The 1969 Triumph T100R Daytona used a 490 CC (30 CID) air cooled four stroke overhead valve twin cylinder motor with twin carbs that produced 41 HP and a four speed transmission for a top speed of 99 MPH. With telescopic front forks and coil over rear shocks, expanding drum brakes and a wet weight of 386 LBS it made for a fast and rideable package.

This particular 1969 Triumph Daytona is in Simi Valley, California and is listed as being in ‘Good running condition’. Nothing more which raises a red flag for me. No VIN posted (and I couldn’t magnify the engine # enough to make them legible) on a bike that shows really well. The only two things I can see for sure is no ‘Daytona’ script on the side covers and an extra hole in the rear fender. I’d ask some questions before I bid. This bike is currently priced at $2,025.53 with reserve not met