Topic: And you think sohc stuff is expensive?

[nickjtc]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140034795921&ssPageName=STRK:MEBI:IT&ih=004

Although admittedly they only made about 1200 of these.

I've been sucked in to bidding and I don't even own one!!!

[74cb750]

There's a reason only 1200 were made, and in my opinion it wasn't because Triumph wanted to make a
rare bike. If you've ever owned one you would know.
the word "junk" comes to mind...

[6pkrunner]

I was swinging wrenches part time at a Yamaha/BMW/Triumph/Norton dealership when the Hurricane was announced and the dealer promotional literature came out. Vetter had a large hand in its design. While it looked flashy in the documentation we all knew it couldn't stop the inevitable.
While on the topic of Brit bikes, there was a company based in California that offered intake manifolds that bolted Honda 450 CV carbs onto the Norton 750 and was offered for the 650 twins also. We installed a kit on a 750 Norton and what a change in personality of the bike for starting and smoothness under acceleration. That would have done more to prolong the Brit bike lifespan moreso than the Hurricane.

[nickjtc]

While on the topic of Brit bikes, there was a company based in California that offered intake manifolds that bolted Honda 450 CV carbs onto the Norton 750 and was offered for the 650 twins also. We installed a kit on a 750 Norton and what a change in personality of the bike for starting and smoothness under acceleration. That would have done more to prolong the Brit bike lifespan moreso than the Hurricane.

I'm not sure the Hurricane was ever conceived as a lifesaver for Norton Triumph. Just a marketing exercise thought up by the US manager who was appalled by the appearance of the first Tridents and Rocket III's and wanted something that would appeal specifically to US customers. And it was a good way to use up a load of Rocket III engines that were left over when BSA when TU.

There is an interesting 'history' of the whole conception to production of the Hurricane on Craig Vetters website.

[putnaja1]

I hope this isn't a highjack to this thread, but I am wondering, why did ALL the Brit bikes go outta business?  Were the Jap bikes that good?  I mean, sure the Lucas electronics caused many a frustration with the British bikes,, but there were good things to these bikes too.  Were the Japanese motorcycles also priced well under what the Brit bikes cost?  I mean, until the CB750, the Jap bikes couldn't touch the performance of the Brit bikes, could they?

[nickjtc]

I hope this isn't a highjack to this thread, but I am wondering, why did ALL the Brit bikes go outta business?  Were the Jap bikes that good?  I mean, sure the Lucas electronics caused many a frustration with the British bikes,, but there were good things to these bikes too.  Were the Japanese motorcycles also priced well under what the Brit bikes cost?  I mean, until the CB750, the Jap bikes couldn't touch the performance of the Brit bikes, could they?

Management pig headedness ("The Japanese are only good at making small motorcycles; the world will always buy our big motorcycles; let's not try something new and look to the future.") + worker militance ("Let's go on strike for yet more money.") = industry self implosion.

The original Trident could have been in production in 1966, thereby scooping Honda by 2+ years, but Edward Turner said "No" because they were selling every Bonneville they could make.

And the extra problem was that these 'small motorcycles' were spanking the larger capacity Brit bikes in performance and reliability. The Norton/Triumph response, the BSA 'Bandit' and Triumph 'Fury' 350's came along too late to save the day, alas.

[nickjtc]

[There is an interesting 'history' of the whole conception to production of the Hurricane on Craig Vetters website.

Yer tis:

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/Motorcycle_Designs/Hurricane_Pages/Hurricane%20history%20intro.html