Triumph Speed Triple
The Triumph Speed Triple is a series of motorcycles produced by Triumph Motorcycles. The 1994 Hinckley Triumph was one of the first motorcycles produced in the streetfighter style (a modern sport bike or race replica motorcycle without an aerodynamic plastic fairing). The style originated with bikers who, having crashed their race replicas, put the bikes back on the road without fairing, and has since become popularised. Origins Early bikes The initial model was first released to the public in 1994, and was called the Speed Triple as an acknowledgement to the 1938 Speed Twin. It was based on the Triumph Triple series of modular engines, which also powered the Triumph Trident, Daytona sport bike, and the Thunderbird retro bike. This engine came in two displacements as a triple: 750 cc for some European markets, and 885 cc for all other markets. The Speed Triple was originally only equipped with the 885 cc engine, but just before significant changes to the bike were made in 1997, some 750 cc machines were produced using leftover Euro specification engines. Early Speed Triples were all carburetted, and were designated T300 series bikes. 1994–1995 models came with the standard 885 cc water-cooled engine and a rugged five-speed transmission. Subsequent Speed Triples had the same engine with six speed transmissions, except for the brief run of 750 cc bikes. As with all the modular Triumphs, the T309 series Speed Triple had a very large single steel tube backbone frame, and used the engine as a stressed member. The forks were 43mm multi-adjustable Kayaba units and the same Japanese firm's shock could be set for preload and rebound damping. Kayaba had had a special relationship with the Hinckley Triumph since its creation. At the rear was a single monoshock with a progressive linkage, and at the front were standard hydraulic forks fitted with dual disc brakes. Legacy The final T309 Speed Triple was built in 1996. The newly introduced T595 Daytona was supplied with fuel injection and the 955 cc engine. The 1997 T509 received the frame, brakes, and design of the new Daytona 595, but came with an 885 cc injected engine for 1997 and 1998. The remainder of the range, including the Thunderbird, Legend, the Adventurer, the Thunderbird Sport, the Tiger, the Sprint and Sprint Sport, and the 900 trophy, retained the carbureted 885 cc engine. Generations T509 After the T309 Speed Triples, Triumph released the first of its new generation of fuel-injected sport bikes: the T509 Speed Triple, which was a complete redesign from its predecessor. While the all-new engine displaced 885 cc, it allegedly produced and was fitted with an engine management system by SAGEM. The T509 had new aluminium perimeter chassis, a single-sided swingarm, and upgraded suspension components. The bike featured a Showa three-way adjustable rear shock and 45mm three-way adjustable Showa forks similar to those on the CBR900RR. Nissin 4 pot callipers were standard up front, and a single piston rear. John Mockett and Rod Scivyer designed the new bike. The