The Trident T160 is one of motorcycling’s great “what ifs”. Its T150 predecessor debuted as a 1969 model to lots of excitement from Triumph fans who wanted to see how the British firm would fight back against Honda’s CB750. It did not go well. Classic British Motorcycles notes that the Trident was doomed by “the combination of bad timing (it took too long to introduce), withering competition (the Honda 750-4 had just arrived), homely styling, spotty build quality, low production figures (initially only about 2,500 units per year), and a high price (a 1971 Trident sold for $1,765US, while a ’71 Norton Commando sold for $1,490).” The 1975 T160 is what Triumph should have released in 1968, and history might have played out quite differently if that’s what happened.
The T160 benefited from several incremental changes, including an electric start, left-side shifter, five-speed gearbox, front and rear discs, and new silencers to satisfy US noise requirements. Interestingly, this bike also “regressed” in styling to a more traditional Triumph design – management felt that the slightly adventurous styling (Ray Gun mufflers, shoebox tank) of the previous generation had hurt sales. For more on the T160, check out this story on Motorcycle Classics – they call it the “machine that, until the resurrection of Triumph in 1990, represented the pinnacle of mass-produced British motorcycling.”
This example is being offered by the original owner, who I’ve had the pleasure of exchanging a couple of emails with. Even in our short correspondence, he seems like the kind of passionate motorcycle owner you’d want to buy a bike from. The sale includes the original sales receipt from John Esler Triumph in Grand Rapids, Michigan as well as the owner’s manual, tool kit, Haynes manual, and sale brochure. He notes that besides himself, the bike has been worked on by four other mechanics. The brake system was rebuilt in 2017 though the front brake line is still the original rubber unit and should be replaced. Other important work and parts include a rebuilt speedometer by Nisonger Instruments, Hagon rear shocks, replaced fuel lines, replace seat, Boyer electronic ignition, and the air filter from a T150. The seller includes an excellent list of details in the listing, as well as a cold start video of the bike firing up on the first kick (though he notes it was after “tickling the Amals”):
Find this Trident for sale in Bee Cave, Texas for $12,000 or best offer here on Craigslist.