The Triumph TSX was a British motorcycle built in 1982 and 1983 and designed in the United States. It was the only Triumph twin developed by the company’s American arm rather than in Britain, and only 140 examples reached the United States before the factory closed.
Triumph TSX at a glance
| Maker | Triumph, Meriden |
|---|---|
| Production | 1982–1983 |
| Designer | Wayne Moulton, Triumph Motorcycles America |
| Engine | 748 cc Triumph T140ES twin |
| Carburettors | twin Bing 32 mm, made under licence by Amal |
| Ignition | Lucas electronic |
| Engine finish | black with polished fin edges |
| Rear shocks | Paioli, mounted at a lower angle |
| Rear brake | Brembo, with its own pump |
| Exported to the USA | 140 |
Based on one source: only the Italian Wikipedia has an article (only Italian Wikipedia), and it is short.
History of the Triumph TSX
Designed in America
The TSX was designed in 1981–1982 by Wayne Moulton, then president of Triumph Motorcycles America, the company’s American subsidiary. That makes it the only Triumph twin designed in the United States rather than in Britain. Because the Meriden factory closed in 1983, only 140 examples were exported to the United States.
Engine
The engine was a Triumph T140ES of 748 cc, fitted with two 32 mm Bing carburettors made under licence by Amal and Lucas electronic ignition. The polished outer components were kept, but the rest of the engine was painted black with only the edges of the cooling fins left bright, so it stood out from the rest of the bike.
Chassis changes
The frame differed from the standard Bonneville in several ways: the Paioli rear shock absorbers were mounted at a lower angle, the seat was lower, and a bracket was added so that a Brembo rear brake could be fitted. The Brembo rear brake pump replaced the Lockheed Automotive Products unit, which was kept only for the front.
Design and features
- American design — the only Triumph twin developed by the US subsidiary.
- Black engine — painted cases and barrels with polished fin edges.
- Bing carburettors — 32 mm units built under licence by Amal.
- Brembo rear brake — a dedicated bracket and pump on the modified frame.
Triumph TSX versions
- TSX (1982–1983): the only version, built for the American market.
The TSX was based on the T140 Bonneville and shares the Meriden story with the TSS. More in the Triumph collection.
Sources
- Triumph TSX, Italian Wikipedia: designer, engine, frame changes, export numbers
