The Triumph TSS was a British motorcycle built by Triumph in 1982 and 1983 and designed mainly for the United States. Its Weslake-designed eight-valve head made it the most developed of the Meriden twins, and only a few hundred were made before the factory closed.
Triumph TSS at a glance
| Maker | Triumph, Meriden |
|---|---|
| Production | 1982–1983 |
| Market | mainly the United States |
| Head | Weslake Engineering, twin-cam eight-valve |
| Valves | four per cylinder, set at 30 degrees |
| Compression | 10:1 |
| Carburettors | Amal MkII 34 mm (UK), Bing (export) |
| Starting | electric as standard |
| Wheels | Morris alloy wheels optional |
| Brakes | twin Lockheed discs |
| Suspension | Marzocchi air-oil rear units |
| Built | about 438 |
Based on one source: there is no English Wikipedia article, and the Italian one is short (only Italian Wikipedia).
History of the Triumph TSS
A new head for the twin
The TSS was designed mainly for the American market around an innovative Weslake Engineering cylinder head with twin overhead camshafts and eight valves, four per cylinder. Compared with other Triumphs of the time the valves were smaller and set at an angle of 30 degrees, and the pistons had a dished crown that allowed a 10:1 compression ratio. British models used a pair of 34 mm Amal MkII carburettors, while export machines were fitted with Bing carburettors.
Equipment
Launched in 1982 with electric starting as standard, the TSS also brought a new top end with rings sealing the head to the cylinder barrel. Morris alloy wheels were optional, while twin Lockheed disc brakes and stainless steel mudguards were standard; the rear suspension used Marzocchi air-oil units.
The end of Meriden
Only 112 TSS machines were actually exported by Triumph, because on 26 August 1983 the Meriden factory went into liquidation. Total production is estimated at 438 examples, which makes the TSS one of the rarest of the classic Triumph twins.
Design and features
- Weslake eight-valve head — twin camshafts and four valves per cylinder.
- 10:1 compression — dished piston crowns and angled valves.
- Electric start — standard from launch in 1982.
- Rarity — about 438 built and only 112 exported.
Triumph TSS versions
- UK model: twin 34 mm Amal MkII carburettors.
- Export model: Bing carburettors.
The TSS was the last development of the Meriden twins, the same family as the Bonneville and Thunderbird. More in the Triumph collection.
Sources
- Triumph TSS, Italian Wikipedia: Weslake head, carburettors, equipment, production numbers
