Chris Chapman Racing 2010
History Page
In the Beginning 1968 - 1976
The BSA Rocket Three/Triumph Trident was the first true modern superbike and the last major motorcycle developed by the original (Triumph Engineering Co Ltd) Triumph company. It was badge-engineered to be sold under both the Triumph and BSA marques.
The Rocket3/Trident was the first-step in development by Triumph Motorcycles plan to move on from the basic vertical twin. The engine was to give the 750cc power required by the US market while avoiding the vibration associated with an increase in capacity of the existing parallel-twin design.
During its production run BSA fell into financial troubles, and over the course of the official seven year model run approximately 27,480 Rocket3/Tridents were produced. By comparison, around a quarter of a million Honda Goldwings were manufactured during its first seven years.
Racing
Doug Hele’s development work of the Rocket3/Trident in 1971, working with frame guru Rob North, produced works Formula 750 machines that were extremely successful on the race track. However, probably the most famous single bike was "Slippery Sam", a production class Trident prepared by Les Williams and his team. "Slippery Sam" won consecutive production TT races at the Isle of Man five years running from 1971 through 1975. Bert Hopwood later recommended making a production version of the racing triple, producing 84 bhp (63 kW) at 8,250 rpm - but his suggestion was ignored, partly due to financial worries.
Racing development in the US was carried out at the Duarte, CA facility under Racing Manager Dan Macias. US BSA/Triumph dealers had agreements for access to factory race parts and due to difficulties in obtaining race frames from the UK, Dan built his own jig and the frames were manufactured by Wenco. The main differences from the factory North frames were TIG welding instead of brazed, flat plate rear engine mounts instead of built-up formed sheet and 4130 Cro-Mo steel material. Dick Mann's win at Daytona in 1971 was on a US specification bike.
