The T-150 is a 3 cylinder 750cc pushrod actuated overhead valve machine which was introduced in 1968. "Aquamarine"metallic with striping on the fenders, as shown here, was the only available color originally. The original body work styling, a result of consultations between Triumph Engineering and Ogle Design (who also designed a racy sportscar called the Reliant Scimitar), was not well received at the time, but has since become collectable. The tank, sidecovers, and "ray gun" mufflers are the main expressions of this design. This was considered a very fast and high performance motorcycle in its day, and a race prepared version known as "Slippery Sam" won the TT race on the Isle of Man for 5 years in a row in the early 70s. This bike has a typical motorcycle driveline with the crankshaft rotating in the same direction as the wheels, a primary drive chain connecting the crank to the multi-plate clutch, gearbox with shafts parallel to the crank, and final drive by chain. The engine unit, which consists of 7 layers of cases and parts, is essentially like the typical Triumph twins but with an extra cylinder. It is wider and much more complex than the twins, with a heavy crankshaft with equally spaced throws running in pressurized bearings, and an internal oil filter. The oil system is dry sump. The stock ignition system uses 3 individual sets of points, each with its own coil. The machine has drum brakes front and rear, and kick start only.

This machine came to me in running condition with a matching engine and frame but none of the original bodywork nor the original mufflers. I was fortunate enough to find NOS fenders, tank, and rear grab rail. The side covers and silencers (mufflers), for which reproductions were unsatisfactory, were found as used originals. Obtaining the silencers was a 2 year international experience, and somewhat later I was able to actually meet the seller, Miles Dugmore, who lives in New Zealand. The fuel tank was so new that there was still paint in the threads where the fuel taps thread in! However it has slight dents from years of storage. I have rebuilt the engine, an expensive and complex task. In the course of this I sent the cases out for polishing, was not happy with the results, and decided to do them over myself until I was pleased! I also recovered the seat. I've also rebuilt the front suspension with all new parts. The rear shocks and the horns are not stock items, and the chain guard is missing- some of these items have proved difficult to find. I found the "toolbox" which is a fiberglass item adjacent to the battery tray, but have not found a toolkit yet. Various details have been attended to, such as rebuilding the correct horn/hi/lo switch, finding the correct reflectors, and making a variety of special tools that were needed for various tasks. The most difficult of these was fork alignment.

One modification I have made is the handlebar, which is a straight bar because I felt the original bar was too high and too wide (I have the original bar). I also used Tommaselli levers because they are nicer than the originals. Another change is the addition of an oil pressure gauge in the position where the ammeter would normally be. This allows one to see a direct reading of pressure in the main galleries (readings from this caused me to rebuild the engine!). The engine cases have been changed to stainless steel allen bolts. An electronic ignition (the Lucas Rita) has been installed. Oddly enough, this fires all three cylinders all the time, so that you can now put any plug wire on any plug and it makes no difference. In all cases where I have made modifications, I have retained the original parts if they were stock.

This motorcycle was sold to someone back in Rhode Island. Once I got into Moto Guzzis, it was hard to put up with the complexity and lack of proper function (no matter, it seemed, what I did!) of this Triumph. My friend Westley maintains that you can have British cars and Italian motorcycles, or, Italian cars and British motorcycles, and do fine. But, he says, if you get both from the same country, you are in for trouble. I have not had much experience, other than this Triumph, with the concept, but from this one example it seems to be true.