Triumph Speed Twin: history, specs, pictures

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1939 Triumph Speed Twin
1939 Triumph Speed Twin

The Triumph Speed Twin was a 490cc, 4-stroke, street motorcycle manufactured by Triumph from 1937 through 1958.

Edward Turner's revolutionary vertical twin only had a brief production period in the late 1930's when WWII intervened. Post-war, the Speed Twin re-appeared in similar form with the Addition of telescopic forks replacing the old style girders. Maroon Speed Twins were used by the majority of police forces in Britain and were popular for their speed and flexibility.

The Speed Twin was the basis for all Triumph twins until the 1980s. Its four-speed transmission was a simple design that would be used in several Triumph models over the years.

  • 27 brake horsepower and tunable to 50 bhp for racing
  • Four-speed transmission in separate case
  • Top speed: 92 mph


1948[edit | edit source]

1948 Triumph Speed Twin
Triumph Speed Twin a.jpg
Triumph Speed Twin
Manufacturer
Also called Speed Twin 5T
Production 1937 - 2019
Class Cruiser
Engine
Liquid cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, Parallel twin
Bore / Stroke 96.5mm x 96.5mm
Compression ratio 11.0:1
Horsepower 96.96 HP (72.3 KW) @ 6750RPM
Torque 83.35 ft/lbs (113.0 Nm) @ 4950RPM
Fuel System Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection
Ignition lucas altrnator
Transmission Gear box: 6-Speed

Final Drive: Chain

Clutch: Wet, multi-plate assist clutch
Suspension Front: 41 mm cartridge forks, 120mm travel
Rear: Twin shocks with adjustable preload, 120 mm rear wheel travel
Brakes Front: Double discs 305 mm
Rear: Single disc 220 mm
Front Tire 120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire 160/60 ZR17
Wheelbase 56.3 inches (1430 mm)
Width 29.88 inches (759 mm)
Seat Height 31.81 inches (808 mm)
Weight 350.09 pounds (158.8 Kg) (dry), 209.0 kg (wet)
Manuals Service Manual


The Triumph Speed Twin was a Liquid cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, Parallel twin Cruiser motorcycle produced by Triumph between 1937 and 2019. Max torque was 83.35 ft/lbs (113.0 Nm) @ 4950 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 96.96 HP (72.3 KW) @ 6750 RPM.

Engine[edit | edit source]

A 96.5mm bore x 96.5mm stroke result in a displacement of just 1200.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead valves (ohv).

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 6-Speed transmission. Power was moderated via the Wet, multi-plate assist clutch.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 120/70 ZR17 front tire and a 160/60 ZR17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Double discs 305 mm in the front and a Single disc 220 mm in the rear. The front suspension was a 41 mm cartridge forks, 120mm travel while the rear was equipped with a Twin shocks with adjustable preload, 120 mm rear wheel travel. The bike weighed just 350.09 pounds (158.8 Kg). The wheelbase was 56.3 inches (1430 mm) long.

2019 Triumph Speed Twin[edit | edit source]

2019 Triumph Speed Twin 2019 Triumph Speed Twin 2019 Triumph Speed Twin 2019 Triumph Speed Twin 2019 Triumph Speed Twin

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In Media[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]