Hurricane Revisited

Hurricane revisited

Putting the thunder in Thunderbird

Nothing like the howl of a lightly muffled Triple to start the day off right. And even though mornings around the CW shop can be pretty interesting, the pleasing oddity of three barking cylinders always gets the attention.

Very well justified in the case of this flamboyant, triple-megaphoned 1999 Triumph Thunderbird Sport. Echoing the Craig Vetter-designed X75 Triumph of the 1970s, this T-Bird was built by Tom Hicks during his tenure at Race Tech Suspension, and it’s had a fair share of work done to it. But the D&D three-piper is the signature piece.

Of course, it wouldn’t sound as good as it does without the breathed-upon engine. In stock form, the 885cc carbureted Triple is a pretty torquey powerplant, but it is a fairly tame mill, nice even. To thug it up a bit, give it some snap, hotter Speed Triple cams were dropped in the top-end, and a same-sourced igniter, as well as a 4-degree ignition advancer, were fitted. Stock carbs were replaced by 39mm Keihin flatslides et voila, instant bite

that’s more than a match for that throaty bark. Naturally, with the Race Tech resources at his fingertips, front suspension got full attention (Gold Valves, springs and such), while at the rear an Öhlins shock was bolted on. The custom flame paint job is quite attention-grabbing, although it was almost unnecessary. Hear this thing run one time, and it’s got your attention.

“It’s bitchin’,” enthuses Hicks, who has since become Southern California’s top Triumph dealer. “The bike is just so much fun, really a kick in the butt. It’s got tons of torque, and I geared it down so it’s really quick. Plus, it’s so throaty and loud. This is a real power-cruiser. I can ride this thing into a whole crowd of Harley guys and they’re like, ‘All rightr

That’s when their buddies say, “What? I can’t hear you....” Mark Hoyer