T160 (1975-77)
One of the drivers for this model was the desire for electric start. The T150 lacked space behind the upright cylinders so the forward sloping cylinders as per the Rocket 3 were adopted. Because of this hybrid approach, some factory staff referred to it as the “Rodent”. Officially the bike was intended to be called the Thunderbird III. This was dropped however, in fear that Ford might take legal action. Installing the inclined engine in the Triumph single down tube frame required exhaust modifications and early prototypes had a 3-into-1 exhaust terminated with a Doug Hele designed double decker silencer. Like many good ideas, this was dropped and Norton Commando type annular discharge silencers were fitted to a complex 3-into-4-into-2 exhaust system. A new airbox to reduce intake noise, left-hand gear change and disc brakes front and rear completed the improvements. The T160 styling owes much to the influence of Craig Vetter’s work and the T160 is a sleek and attractive package, but it was really too little too late. Production started at Small Heath in November 1974, more than four years after the Japanese competition had introduced similar features and ended in April 1976.
Cylinders at 12 deg as with A75
Enlarged main oilways
Captive ball tappet adjusters
Electric starter
Annular discharge silencers
Duplex chain primary drive
Left foot gearchange
10” disc brake front and rear
Kerb weight 552lb
Colour Scheme, Yellow/Ice White or Cherokee Red/Ice White